Taekwondo Sources and References

This page lists the sources used for the Modern Day Martial Artist Taekwondo history section, including the pages on Taekwondo history, forms and patterns, major branches, traditional training methods, Taekwondo in America, and famous Taekwondo practitioners and entertainers.

[1] Encyclopaedia Britannica — “Tae Kwon Do.”
Used for the general definition of Taekwondo, meaning of the name, 1955 naming, General Choi Hong Hi reference, and connection to older Korean and Karate influences.
URL: https://www.britannica.com/sports/tae-kwon-do

[2] Kukkiwon — “History of Taekwondo.”
Used for official Kukkiwon history, the growth of modern Taekwondo, national organization, international spread, sparring development, Kukkiwon growth, and Olympic development.
URL: https://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/eng/contents/view?contentsNo=93&menuLevel=2&menuNo=94

[3] Kang Won Sik and Lee Kyong Myong — A Modern History of Taekwondo.
Used for early kwans, Shotokan influence, Lee Won Kuk, Ro Byung Jick, Chun Sang Sup, Yoon Byung In, Oh Do Kwan, early training methods, one-step sparring, three-step sparring, free sparring, breaking, kwan politics, and unification history.
URL: https://www.moodokwan.com/assets/pdf/HistoryoftheKwans.pdf

[4] Udo Moenig, Sung Kyun Cho, and Taek-Yong Kwak — “Evidence of Taekwondo’s Roots in Karate.”
Used for academic support showing that early Taekwondo had strong Karate and Shotokan influence.
URL: https://accesson.kr/kj/assets/pdf/8355/journal-54-2-150.pdf
Alternate URL: https://dspace.kci.go.kr/handle/kci/734543

[5] Udo Moenig — Taekwondo: From a Martial Art to a Martial Sport.
Used for Taekwondo’s historical, political, technical, and sport evolution, including its shift from martial art to modern sport.
URL: https://books.google.com/books/about/Taekwondo.html?id=vJAGCAAAQBAJ

[6] International Taekwon-Do Federation — General Choi Hong Hi / ITF History.
Used for General Choi Hong Hi, the naming of Taekwon-Do, the founding of the ITF in 1966, Chang Hon patterns, and international ITF development.
URL: https://itftkd.sport/history/choi-hong-hi/

[7] Kukkiwon — Taekwondo Technical Terminology PDF.
Used for standardized Korean terminology, technical categories, stances, sparring, breaking, self-defense, poomsae terminology, and training method vocabulary.
URL: https://wientaekwondo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Technical_Terminology_ENG.pdf

[8] Kukkiwon — “Composition of Taekwondo: Poomsae.”
Used for Kukkiwon poomsae structure, poomsae concepts, Taegeuk forms, and black belt poomsae.
URL: https://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/eng/board/list?boardManagementNo=55&menuLevel=3&menuNo=72

[9] Kyu Hyung Lee and Sang H. Kim — Complete Taekwondo Poomsae.
Used for Taegeuk poomsae, Palgwae poomsae, black belt poomsae, performance principles, meaning, philosophy, and official World Taekwondo-style forms.
URL: https://books.google.com/books/about/Complete_Taekwondo_Poomsae.html?id=YZMxqFuHUjUC

[10] Sang H. Kim and Kyu Hyung Lee — Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Poomsae.
Used for black belt poomsae, meanings, movement lines, technical execution, and author background.
URL: https://books.google.com/books/about/Tae_Kwon_Do_Black_Belt_Poomsae.html?id=UH5fmM4-N5oC

[11] Sang H. Kim / Turtle Press — Taekwondo Step Sparring.
Used for step-sparring as partner drill training for stances, blocks, strikes, kicks, footwork, timing, distance, and self-defense applications.
URL: https://www.turtlepress.com/martial-art-books/taekwondo-step-sparring

[12] Kukkiwon — “Composition of Taekwondo: Self-Defense / Takedowns.”
Used for breakfalls, takedowns, dodging, joint locks, pull-away techniques, kicking, striking, and self-defense concepts.
URL: https://www.kukkiwon.or.kr/eng/board/read?boardManagementNo=56&boardNo=1372&menuLevel=3&menuNo=73&page=1&searchCategory=&searchType=&searchWord=

[13] Olympics.com — Taekwondo.
Used for Taekwondo’s Olympic history, including its role as a demonstration sport in 1988 and official Olympic medal sport beginning in 2000.
URL: https://www.olympics.com/en/sports/taekwondo/

[14] ATA Martial Arts — “Full ATA International History.”
Used for ATA founding, Little Rock headquarters, Songahm Taekwondo copyright in 1983, membership, and ATA organizational history.
URL: https://atamartialarts.com/about/full-ata-international-history/

[15] ATA Martial Arts — “The Story of Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee.”
Used for H.U. Lee, Songahm philosophy, athleticism, kicking techniques, character development, self-esteem, and ATA leadership culture.
URL: https://atamartialarts.com/about/the-story-of-eternal-grand-master-hu-lee/

[16] TaeKwonDo Times / Dr. He-Young Kimm Interview.
Used for the connection between ATA, ITA founders Craig Kollars, Bert Kollars, Art Monroe, independence from ATA, and the development of ITA / Ho-Am / Tiger-Rock Taekwondo.
URL: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/10426635/dr-he-young-kimm-taekwondo-times

[17] Tiger-Rock Martial Arts History.
Used for ITA formation in 1983, Art Monroe, Craig Kollars, Bert Kollars, southern Taekwondo school development, and the later transition into Tiger-Rock Martial Arts International.
URL: https://tkdtexas.com/history/

[18] NBC Washington — “Jhoon Rhee, Father of American Taekwondo, Dies at Age 86.”
Used for Jhoon Rhee opening his first Washington, D.C. school in 1962 and his role in spreading Taekwondo in America.
URL: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/jhoon-rhee-dead/53567/

[19] Smithsonian Sidedoor / Arlington Kicks — Jhoon Rhee Story.
Used for Jhoon Rhee’s martial ballet, musical forms, creative forms, performance influence, and public presentation of Taekwondo.
URL: https://www.si.edu/sidedoor/art-fist
URL: https://arlingtonkicks.com/the-jhoon-rhee-story-part-six/

[20] AIMAA — Grandmaster Hee Il Cho Biography.
Used for Hee Il Cho’s Taekwondo background, military teaching, powerful kicking, Action International Martial Arts Association, seminars, films, videos, and instructional influence.
URL: https://www.aimaa.com/about_gmcho.htm
Alternate URL: https://aimaa.com/%24_alternate_index_no_flash1.htm

[21] Black Belt Magazine / Tae Kwon Do Times — Hee Il Cho Sources.
Used for Hee Il Cho’s 9th dan listing, books, videos, magazine covers, films, AIMAA founding, and martial arts recognition.
URL: https://www.blackbeltmag.com/post/cover-story-throwback-hee-il-cho-and-philip-ameris
URL: https://taekwondotimes.com/news/2019/01/hee-ii-cho-grandmaster-of-taekwondo-wtf-and-itf-tribute/

[22] Martial Arts History Museum — Ernie Reyes / West Coast Demo Team.
Used for Ernie Reyes Sr., Ernie Reyes Jr., West Coast Demo Team, synchronized kicking routines, acrobatic aerial kicks, music-timed performances, and demonstration team culture.
URL: https://martialartsmuseum.com/ernie-reyes/

[23] IMDb — Billy Blanks Biography.
Used for Billy Blanks’s martial arts background, acting career, and Taekwondo black belt listing.
URL: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0087593/bio/

[24] People Magazine — Billy Blanks / Tae Bo Longevity.
Used for Tae Bo becoming a mainstream fitness phenomenon and Billy Blanks continuing to teach Tae Bo decades later.
URL: https://people.com/billy-blanks-looking-back-still-traveling-tae-bo-longevity-exclusive-8761815

[25] Kung-Fu Kingdom — Donnie Yen Profile.
Used for Donnie Yen’s broad martial arts background and source-specific claim that he trained in Taekwondo as a teenager.
URL: https://kungfukingdom.com/profile-of-donnie-yen/

[26] Michael Jai White Official Biography / IMDb.
Used for Michael Jai White’s martial arts background, action film career, and Taekwondo being listed as part of his wider black belt training history.
Official website URL: https://www.michaeljaiwhite.com/about
IMDb URL: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0925220/

[27] Scott Adkins Official Biography.
Used for Scott Adkins beginning Taekwondo at age fourteen, later kickboxing training, and his martial arts action film career.
URL: https://www.scottadkins.com/biography.htm

[28] U.S. Department of War — “Actor Chuck Norris Was in the Air Force During the Cold War.”
Used for Chuck Norris’s Air Force service, Tang Soo Do, Judo, Taekwondo, Karate competition, Chun Kuk Do / Chuck Norris System, and Korean martial arts background.
URL: https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3705404/actor-chuck-norris-was-in-the-air-force-during-the-cold-war/

[29] Cynthia Rothrock Official Website.
Used for Cynthia Rothrock’s forms and weapons championship history, undefeated forms record from 1981–1985, action film career, and recognition as a major female martial arts movie star.
URL: https://www.cynthiarothrockofficial.com/

[30] World Taekwondo Academy — “Olympic Sport Taekwondo - Kukkiwon/WTF.”
Used for Palgwae poomsae being established by the Korea Taekwondo Association in 1967, Taegeuk forms being adopted in 1971, and differences between Kukkiwon / WTF-style poomsae and ITF-style forms.
URL: https://www.wta4u.com/taekwondo/sport-olympic

[31] Black Belt Magazine — “More Than Movement: The History and Purpose of Taekwondo Forms.”
Used for the replacement of Palgwae by Taegeuk poomsae, the creation of modern Koryo poomsae, Original Koryo history, and the idea that forms vary greatly between Taekwondo organizations.
URL: https://www.blackbeltmag.com/post/more-than-movement-the-history-and-purpose-of-taekwondo-forms

[32] International Taekwon-Do Federation — “ITF Patterns.”
Used for the 24 Chang Hon patterns, General Choi Hong Hi’s pattern system, historical meanings of ITF patterns, and Choong-Moo being named after Admiral Yi Soon-Sin.
URL: https://www.itftaekwondo.com/itf-patterns/

[33] ATA Martial Arts — “About Songahm Taekwondo.”
Used for Songahm forms being designed by Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee, the 18 Songahm forms, ATA philosophy, and how Songahm forms develop skill and technical balance.
URL: https://atamartialarts.com/about/about-songahm-taekwondo/

[34] Tiger-Rock Martial Arts — Testing Standards Guide.
Used for Ho-Am Form in Tiger-Rock testing standards and curriculum structure.
URL: https://tigerrockstorage.blob.core.windows.net/prod/CompanyEvent/2025%20Pretest%20Conductors%20Process%20and%20Directives/Test%20Standards%2011-1-2024%20%282%29.pdf

[35] Justia Trademark Records — International Taekwondo Alliance, Taekwondo Plus, USTA, Tiger-Rock.
Used for Taekwondo Plus, United States Taekwondo Alliance, USTA, Tiger-Rock Taekwondo, and Ho-Am Tiger-Rock trademark history.
URL: https://trademarks.justia.com/owners/international-taekwondo-alliance-inc-331739/

[36] Strickland’s Martial Arts — Instructor Biography.
Used for Rick Hoadley, Mobile, Alabama, ATA, Taekwondo Plus, USTA, and Taekwondo America connections.
URL: https://www.stricklandsmartialarts.com/about

[37] Rick Hoadley / Mobile, Alabama Taekwondo Background Source.
Used cautiously for Rick Hoadley’s early training, Mobile school opening, and connection to H.U. Lee.
URL: https://nextdoor.com/pages/rick-hoadleys-new-leaf-martial-arts-mobile-al/

[38] Tiger-Rock 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document.
Used for legal and business confirmation that Tiger Rock Martial Arts International, Inc. was formerly known as International TaeKwonDo Alliance, Inc., and that many licensees converted to franchised Tiger-Rock locations in late 2008 and early 2009.
URL: https://storage.googleapis.com/franchiseindx_fdds/Education/Tiger-Rock%20Mai%20Systems_2023_ce44cn84

[39] United Fighting Arts Federation — “About Our Founder: Chuck Norris.”
Used for Chuck Norris receiving 8th degree Black Belt Grand Master recognition in Tae Kwon Do in 1997 and for his role as founder of UFAF / Chuck Norris System.
URL: https://www.ufaf.org/founder_page.htm

[40] Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu — “Lineage & Legacy.”
Used for Chuck Norris’s connection to the Machado brothers, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, and his role in helping spread Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through the Machado family.
URL: https://www.carlosmachado.net/lineage---legacy

[41] Starr’s Black Belt Academy — “Cynthia Rothrock – Martial Artist, Actress, Instructor.”
Used for Cynthia Rothrock being listed as holding black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Eagle Claw, Wu Shu, and Northern Shaolin, with her highest rank listed as 8th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.
URL: https://starrskarate.com/uncategorized/cynthia-rothrock-martial-artist-actress-instructor/

Source Notes by Page

Main Taekwondo Page
Sources used on this page: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [13], [14], [17]

History of Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate Influence
Sources used on this page: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Taekwondo Forms and Patterns
Sources used on this page: [6], [8], [9], [10], [14], [15], [16], [17], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34]

Major Branches of Taekwondo
Sources used on this page: [2], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [30], [32], [33], [34], [35], [38]

Traditional Taekwondo Training Methods
Sources used on this page: [2], [3], [4], [5], [7], [8], [11], [12], [13], [32]

Taekwondo in America
Sources used on this page: [2], [6], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [26], [27], [35], [38]

Famous Taekwondo Practitioners and Entertainers
Sources used on this page: [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [39], [40], [41}