Tae Kwon Do Club

From ClemsonWiki

The Clemson University Tae Kwon Do Club has a long history at Clemson University. The club was established in 1967 by Master Billy Hong and has been supported by students for over 35 years. It is the oldest club martial art at Clemson, and it is one of the largest. The club accepts members of all skill levels who are current students at Clemson University. Even people without any prior martial arts experience are welcome.

Tae Kwon Do originated in Korea over 2,000 years ago. "Tae" means to kick or smash with the foot; "Kwon" means to strike with the hand or fist; "Do" means the Way. Taking the three characters together, Tae Kwon Do means "the Way of Kicking and Punching". Tae Kwon Do combines powerful kicks and strikes with skills of blocking, dodging, foot sweeps, and joint locks to form a very effective style of self-defense.

The purpose of the club is to offer university students an opportunity to receive traditional training in the Korean art of self-defense. As a student in the club you will derive many benefits from your training both mentally and physically. Physically, Tae Kwon Do will help you control your weight, tone your body, and improve your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Your body will have more energy, and your physical strength, flexibility and coordination will improve as well. Tae Kwon Do will also help you maintain good mental health by giving you a positive way of releasing everyday stress and tension. You can release some of that pent up hostility and frustration in a morally acceptable and productive manner. The end result is a healthier mind along with a healthier body.

At the end of each semester a rank advancement test will be given. Only regular participants who have attended at least two practices a week for the entire semester are allowed to test. Upon satisfactory completion of the promotion test you will receive your belt. All certification will be issued by the Mauldin Tae Kwon Do Academy. Black Belt certification will be issued by Kukkiwon, (World Tae Kwon Do Federation). In the Clemson program, it takes about 5 years to get a 1st degree black belt (assuming that the participant tests at least twice a year). The belt ranks followed by Clemson TKD are as follows: White, Yellow, Yellow-Green, Green, Green-Blue, Blue, Blue-Red, Red, Red-Black, Associate Black Belt, and 1st Dan black belt.

Since the Clemson University Tae Kwon Do Club is affiliated with the Huggins Tae Kwon Do Academy, club members are welcome to attend classes at the Mauldin location, at no additional cost during the fall and spring semesters.

If you would like any information about the Tae Kwon Do club, please visit our website or send us an email at [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you at our next practice!