Mr Glenn Horan has attended many of the late General Choi Hong Hi seminars and Instructors courses to enable him to teach the true techniques without distortion. Mr Glenn Horan is dedicated to teaching Taekwon-Do to anyone who wishes to learn, he believes that Taekwon-Do is for anybody and everybody. He has been training for more than half his life and is dedicated to teaching authentic Taekwon-Do as once taught by the founder, the late Gen.Choi Hong Hi IXth Dan.

For more information on training times, and beginners courses, please click on the links to the left. The Hitchin Taekwon-do school is also run by a team of Instructors, Mr Steve Miles 4th Dan (Senior Assistant and Instructor for Stevenage TaeKwon-Do school), Ms Gloria Williams 3rd Dan, Mr Kalbinder Uppal 2nd Dan, and Mr Michael Owen 2nd Dan (Instuctor for Letchworth Taekwon-do school). All of the Instructors have a great dedication to teach authentic TaeKwon-Do.

HISTORY OF TAEKWON-DO

Although the origins of the martial arts are shrouded in mystery, it is considered an undeniable fact that from time immemorial there have been physical actions involving the use of hands and feet for the purpose of self protection. If these actions were defined as "Taekwon-do", any country might claim credit for inventing Taekwon-do. There is however, little resemblance between Taekwon-do as practised today and the crude forms of unarmed combat of the past. Modern Taekwon-do differs greatly from other martial arts. No other martial art is so advanced with regard to the sophistication and effectiveness of its technique or overall physical fittness it imparts on its practioners.

Since the theories, terminology, techniques, systems, methods, rules, practice suit and spiritual foundation were scientifically developed, systemised and named by General Choi Hong Hi, it is an error to think of any physical action using the hand and feet for self defence as Taekwon-do. Only those who practice the techniques based on General Choi's theories, principles and philosophies are considered students of genuine Taekwon-do.

During the period between the 1st century BC and the 7th century AD, the Korean peninsula was divided into 3 kingdoms; SIlla, Koguryo and Baek-je. Silla, the smallest of these kingdoms was always under threat from its larger neighbours, and during the regin of Chin Heung, 24th King of Silla, the young warriors formed an elite officer corps called HWA RANDGDO . The Hwa Rangdo, in addition to their ordinary training, also trained themselves by practising mental and physical conditioning and avrious forms of open hand fighting. The corps became known for their courage and skill in battle, gaining respect from their bitterest enemies. During the period of the Hwa Rangdo, the original primitive method of hand fighting was called Soo Bak-Gi and soon became very popular with all people in the Koguryo Dynasty. There is evidence to suggest that the 3rd King of the Yi Dynasty (early 1400's) actively recruited experts in Taek Kyon, Sirum (Korean wrestling), archery and Soo Bak-Gi to help him organise a strong army.

Much historical documentation seems to indicate that some of these forms of open hand fighting may have been eventually exported to Japan and formed the basis of Japanese Jujitsu and Karate. On the other hand, Funakosi Kijin (commonly known as the father of Japanese Karate) wrote a book in 1958 claiming that Karate is the traditional martial art of the Okinawa. He stated that it had been developed since the 9th century AD under the name of "TE" (hand). When the Okinawan techniques became modified with Chinese "Kempo" (fist method), the art became known as "Dote" (Chinese Hand). The first exhibition of this style took place in 1917 and rapidly became popular on the Japanese mainland. In the early 1930's the word "DO" (China) was replaced by the word "KU" (empty) to distinguish Japanese Karate from Chinese Kempo. In a book of Karate written by Nagadoni, the author states that according to legend and myth, there was a type of open hand fighting that resembled the present day Sumo (Japanese wrestling) and Judo in Japan about 2000 years ago.

A dispute over which country could claim to be the first to discover fire would hardly be more pointless, and so it is with the Martial Arts. The Chinese theory is the most readily accepted because China was the cradle of Oriental culture, but this does not mean that martial arts had their beginnings there as well. Open hand fighting probably did not originate in any one country. It is more likely, a natural development occurred in different places as the need arose for systems of self-defence. Thus the founder, and not the historical length of a country.

First of all, it must be said about General Choi, that he has given so much devotion to this art, that the man, his life, and his work are one. He has developed and brought the little known ancient style up-to-date through the long years of perseverance and determination. If Taekwon-Do today has gained international status, it is because of the tireless efforts of one man - The Father of Taekwon-Do.

General Choi was born 9th November 1918 in the harsh area of North Korea. In his youth, he was frail and a constant source of worry to his parents. At the age of 12 he was expelled from school for arguing with the Japanese authorities who were in control of Korea. After his expulsion, young Choi's father sent him to study calligraphy under one of the most famous teachers in Korea, Mr Hann Il Dong. Mr Han was also a master of Taek Kyon , the ancient art of foot fighting. The teacher, concerned with his frail sudent, began teaching im the rigourous exercise of Taek Kyon to help build up his body.

In 1937, Choi was sent to Japan to further his education. In Kyoto, Choi met a fellow Korean, Mr Kim , who was teaching the Japanese art of Karate. With 2 years of concentrated training Choi was awarded 1st Dan Black Belt. These techniques, together with Taek Kyon were the forerunners of modern Taekwon-Do. There followed a period of mental and physical education until finally, at the University of Tokyo he obtained his 2nd Dan Black Belt, and began teaching at the YMCA in Tokyo, Japan.

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With the outbreak of World War II, Choi was forced to enlist in the Japanese army through no choice of his own. Whilst at his post in Pyongyang, North Korea, Choi was implicated as the planner of Korean Independence Movement and sent to prison in Japan. While in prison, to alleviate the boredom and keep physically fit, Choi began practising this art in the solitude of his cell. In a short time, his cell mate and jailer became students of his, eventually the whole prison courtyard became one gigantic gymnasium.

The liberation of Korea in August 1945 spared Choi from serving the whole of his 7 year sentence. Following his release he journeyed back to Seol and in January of the following year was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the new Korean Army. Soon after he made company commander where, in Kwang-Ju, the young Choi lit the torch of this art by teaching it to his entire company.

He was promoted to First Lieutenant and transferred to Tae-Jon where he was in charge of the 2nd Infantry Regiment. While at his new post, Choi began spreading the art, not only to Korean soldiers, but also to Americans stationed there. This was the first introduction to Americans of what would eventually become Taekwon-Do.

1947 was a year of fast promotion. Choi was promoted to Captain and then Major. In 1948 he was posted to Seol and became Taekwon-Do instructor for the American Military Police School there. In late 1948 , Choi became Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1949, Choi was promoted full Colonel and visited the United States for the first time. While there, the art was introduced to the American pulic. In 1951, he was promoted to Brigadier General, Choi was appointed Chief of staff of the 1st Corps in 1952 and was responsible for briefing General MacArther during MacArther's visit to Kang Nung. At the time of the armstice Choi was in command of the 5th Infantry Division.

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The year 1953 was an eventful one for Choi. He became the author of the first authoritative book on military intelligence in Korea. He organised and activated the crack 29th Infantry Division at Cheju Island, which eventually became the spearhead of Taekwon-Do in the military, and established Oh Do Kwan (Gym of My Way) where he succeeded not only in training the instructors for the entire military, but in 1954 also developed Taek Kyon and Karate techniques into a modern system of Taekwon-Do. With the help of Mr Nam Tae Hi , his right hand man. In the latter part of this year he commanded Chong Do Kwan (Gym of Blue Waves) , the largest civillian gym in Korea. Choi was also promoted to Major General .

Technically, 1955 signalled the beginning of Taekwon-Do as a formally recognised art in Korea. During that year, a special board was formed which included leading master instructors, historians and prominent leaders of society. A number of names for the new martial art were submitted. On the 11th April , the board summoned by General Choi, decided on the name of Taekwon-Do which was submitted by him. This single name replaced the different and confusing terms; Dang Soo, Gang Soo, Taek Kyon, Kwon Bup etc.

In 1959, Taekwon-Do spread beyond its national boundaries. The father of Taekwon-Do and 19 of his top black belt holderstoured the Far East. The tour was a major success and many of these black belt holders eventually went on to spread the art to the world. In this year, Choi was elevated to 2 illustrious posts: President of his newly formed Korea Taekwon-Do Association and Deputy Commander of the 2nd Army in Tae Gu . That same year General Choi Hong Hi published his first Korean text on Taekwon-Do, which became the model for the 1965 edition.

During 1960, the General attened the modern weapons familiarisation course in Texas followed by a visit to Jhoon Rhee's Karate club in San Antonio, where Choi convinced the students to use the name Taekwon-Do instructors of America.

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The year 1961 through 1962 were years of maturation for both Choi's military career and Taekwon-Do, with the command of the largest training centers in Korea and the newly assigned command of the 6th Army Corps. In 1962, Choi was appointed as Ambassador to Malaysia where, as a dedicated missionary of Taekwon-Do, the art was spread. In 1963, the Taekwon-Do Association of Malaysia was formed.

In February 1964, Taekwon-Do Association was formed in Singapore, and the groundwork was being laid for further Associations.

In 1965, Ambassador Choi, retired 2 Star General, was appointed by the Government or the Republic of Korea to lead a goodwill mission to West Germany, Italy,Turkey, United Arab Republic, Malaysia and Singapore, this was the basis not only for establishing Taekwon-Do Associations in these countries but also the formation of the International Taekwon-Do Federation as it is known today.In 1966 the dream of the sickly young student of calligraphy, who rose to Ambassador and Association President of the most respected martial art in the world came true. On October 22nd March 1966, the InternationalTaekwon-Do Federation was formed with Associations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, the USA, Turkey, the United Arab Republic and Korea.

In 1967, Choi received the 1st Class Distinguished Service Medal from the government of Vietnam. In August, he visited the All American Taekwon-Do Tournament held in Chicago, leading on to the formal establishment of the US Taekwon-Do Association on 26th November.

In 1968, the United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Association was formed and General Choi visited Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium and India with the hope of spreading Taekwon-Do. In the years of 1969 - 1970 Choi left for a tour of 20 countries throughout the world and every place he went helped spread and welf the I.T.F into a strong force. 1972 saw the headquarters of the I.T.F moved by unanimous consent of member countries, to Toronto Canada.

During 1973, General Choi and a special selected I.T.F demonstration team, consiting of Kong Young II, Park Jong Soo, Rhee Ki Ha, Park Sun Jae and Choi Chang Keun all 7th Dan Black Belts toured Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East.

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In 1974, the dream became reality with the staging of the first World Taekwon-Do Championships in Montreal. During November and December of this year he lead the fourth I.T.F demonstration team to Jamaica, Curacao, Costa Rico, Cloumbia, Venezuela and Surinam.

The years 1975 - 1976 saw further world tours including Australia, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Europe. In november 1976 General Choi declared the opening of the first European Taekwon-Do Championships held in Amsterdam.

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