History of Taekwondo in Turkey
From First Steps to World Successes Towards Success
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and one of the most popular self-defense sports in the world today. In Turkey, the history of taekwondo goes back to the 1960s. Initially gaining recognition through demonstrations and limited training, this sport quickly spread throughout our country and achieved an independent federation structure in 1981.
Today, Türkiye is among the countries that have achieved significant success in taekwondo at European, world and Olympic organizations.
When did Taekwondo arrive in Türkiye?
The recognition of Taekwondo in Türkiye In the 1960s It happened. The demonstrations performed by Korean taekwondo teams played an important role in introducing this sport to the Turkish people.
In the Ministry of Education's sports high school materials, a South Korean General from the 1960s... Choi Hong-Hi It is stated that the taekwondo team, under the leadership of the president, organized demonstrations during their goodwill trip to Turkey, and that these demonstrations contributed to the recognition of taekwondo in Turkey.
Following this initial meeting, interest in taekwondo in Türkiye gradually increased.
The Development of Taekwondo in the 1970s
Taekwondo began to develop in a more systematic way in Türkiye in the 1970s.
In the taekwondo training materials of the Ministry of National Education, it is stated that a technical director was brought from South Korea in 1970 and that during this period, taekwondo activities in Türkiye began to acquire a more organized structure.
During this period, the head coach Ismet Iraz Many individuals, including those mentioned above, have made significant contributions to the development of taekwondo in Turkey.
1976 European Championship
One of Türkiye's first significant steps in the international arena In 1976 It happened.
Türkiye participated in the European Taekwondo Championship for the first time officially, and the national team organization European team runner-up second place He completed it as such. This achievement was an important turning point in Turkish taekwondo's gaining international attention.
Establishment of the Taekwondo Federation
In its early days, Taekwondo did not have an independent federation in Türkiye. In 1968, within the Turkish Judo Federation It started operating.
With the rapid development of Taekwondo and the increase in the number of athletes, the need for an independent federation emerged.
As a result of this process In 1981, the Taekwondo Federation separated from the Judo Federation and became an independent federation. Mithat Kor became the federation's first president.
This development can be considered one of the most important turning points in the institutionalization of taekwondo in Türkiye.
Ismet Iraz and the Development of Turkish Taekwondo
When talking about the development of taekwondo in Türkiye Ismet Iraz It holds a special place.
Following his athletic career, Iraz served as a coach and contributed to the development of Turkish taekwondo, particularly through his disciplined work ethic. The Turkish Taekwondo Federation also states in its history page that İsmet Iraz's work played an important role in increasing international successes.
The systematic work carried out during his tenure helped Turkish athletes achieve more successful results in international competitions.
Successes Achieved in the 1980s
With the establishment of the independent federation in 1981, taekwondo in Turkey gained a more organized structure.
With the increase in the number of clubs, coaches, and athletes, national and international achievements have also begun to rise.
The 1980s were also the period when Turkish women taekwondo athletes began to achieve significant international success. The achievements of Turkish taekwondo in European and world championships contributed to the sport becoming more widely known throughout the country.
Taekwondo and the Olympics
Türkiye has also achieved significant successes in terms of Taekwondo's Olympic journey.
Taekwondo, Demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul OlympicsIt was also featured as a demonstration sport at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. 2000 Since the Sydney Olympics, it has been an official Olympic sport. as a competition was included in the program.
Türkiye has consistently won medals in taekwondo at the Olympics since 2000.
Olympic Achievements of Turkish Taekwondo
One of Türkiye's most important taekwondo achievements in the Olympics. Servet Tazegül winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. It happened.
In the same Olympics Nur Tatar silver medal She achieved. Tatar became the first Turkish woman athlete to win a medal in two consecutive Olympics by winning a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
According to the data of the Turkish Taekwondo Federation, Turkish taekwondo will be in the Olympics between 2000-2024. 1 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals He won.
Türkiye in Para Taekwondo
Taekwondo is not only an Olympic sport in Türkiye, Para Taekwondo He also achieved significant success in his field.
Para taekwondo was included in the Paralympic Games in 2020. According to the current historical information of the Turkish Taekwondo Federation, Turkey has achieved the following results in Para Taekwondo to date: 1 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals He won.
These achievements show that Turkish taekwondo has reached a strong position at the international level in different categories.
The Current State of Taekwondo in Türkiye
Today, taekwondo has become one of the most widespread sports branches in Türkiye.
Turkish Taekwondo Federation, in its current information 800,000 licensed athletes It states that it has reached and is one of the federations with the most licensed athletes after football and chess.
Thanks to courses, clubs and competitions for different age groups from children to adults, taekwondo is actively practiced in many cities of Turkey.
The Future of Taekwondo in Türkiye
The taekwondo journey that began in Türkiye in the 1960s, continues today with international championships and Olympic medals.
The expansion of infrastructure projects, introducing children to taekwondo at a young age, the increase in clubs, and the training of coaches with international experience create important advantages for the future of Turkish taekwondo.
Looking back from the past to the present, the development of taekwondo in Türkiye; recognition, institutionalization, international success and Olympic medals medals It appears as a long success story progressing in this way.
Conclusion
The history of taekwondo in Türkiye began in the 1960s, shaped by promotions and demonstrations, and in 1968 it gained an official structure within the Judo Federation and With the establishment of the independent Taekwondo Federation in 1981 It has entered a new era.
Starting with the team runner-up finish at the 1976 European Championship, international successes evolved into European and world championships and Olympic medals in the following years.
Today, Turkish taekwondo continues to be one of Turkey's important sports branches with its extensive athlete infrastructure and international successes.
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