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Taekwondo is a Korean Martial Art characterized by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques in addition to an array of hand techniques.

Students of all ages benefit from studying Taekwondo for its excellent cardiovascular workout, its self-defense techniques, and its contribution to one's personal improvement.

“Taekwondo” literally means “foot and hand way”. The name was coined around 1959 with the establishment of the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA).
In 1973,  the KTA supported the establishment of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) to promote Taekwondo specifically as an international sport.

There are other world organizations, with their own standards, but WTF is generally regarded as the largest.

Taekwondo has its roots in open-hand (weaponless) martial arts which can be traced back for hundreds of years.

Taekwondo became a demonstration event at the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul, and became an official medal event at the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney.

Golden Kick Taekwondo Cayman Islands is affiliated with the World Taekwondo Federation, which is also known as the Kukkiwon. It is also the Olympic governing body for Taekwondo.

The Kukkiwon sets standards for black belts, while colored belts are regulated by the local dojang (taekwondo gym).

Golden Kick Taekwondo's Black Belt Certification comes directly from the Kukkiwon in Seoul, Korea.

Not Only will receive a Black Belt Certificate from Kukkiwon, our Black Belt Holders will also have photo IDs issued by the Kukkiwon, usually used for registering for competitions.

The Tti (belt) represents the purpose of the training and the degree of technique according to its color.
The comparison of movement between people who have Dan (Black Belt) or
Kup (Coloured Belts) represents the difference in the body movement and mind.

The belt that is tied around the waist connects the upper part and lower part of Taekwondo uniform and covers the center of the body.
To wear the belt can help to deliver the power to the muscle that connect Meongmunhyul (acupunture point) of waist and body center of lower abdomen. *)

Every student starts with a white belt. After a few months, students may take their first test.

They are tested on basic technique, forms, breaking and sparring.

Over the time the students will keep on having the Belt Grading Promotion Tests with a varied testing materials based on their belts.

The sequence of belt colors are different in the many schools.

In Golden Kick Taekwondo Cayman Islands, the belt sequence is Yellow, Green, Blue, Red.

Between each color is a half-step represented by a stripe of the next color.

There is a stripe after Red Belt, then comes Black Belt.

*) excerpted from the World Taekwondo Head Quarters Kukkiwon website

At the beginning of Taekwondo class Students recite The Taekwondo student oath, either with students repeating after the instructor or in unison, students and the instructor speaking at the same time.

The purpose of the student oath is to remind students of their obligations to their art, instructors, fellow students, people outside of their school, and to society at large.

The oath is generally repeated at the beginning of class, after students “bow in”.

Bowing-in is a process that usually includes bowing simultaneously to the Taekwondo training place, bowing to the head instructor, and finally, bowing to the instructors who will be conducting the class.

Usually, the student oath is preceded by a recitation of a list of tenets of Taekwondo.

The instructor typically would prompt the class to repeat the student oath and tenets of Taekwondo.

The tenets of Taekwondo are:

1. Courtesy
2. Integrity
3. Perseverance
4. Self-control
5. Indomitable spirit

Following recitation of the tenets, students then recite the student oath, as follows:

• Observe the tenets of Taekwondo.
• Respect all seniors and instructors.
• Never misuse Taekwondo.
• Be a champion of freedom and justice.
• Help to build a more peaceful world.

Each Taekwondo place is different, each uses the belt system to identify where a martial artist is in their training.

A belt level indicates your current rank in the martial arts system you practice.

Golden Kick Taekwondo Cayman Islands follows the standard World Taekwondo ranking system, as follows:

• White Belt
• Advanced White Belt (Striped White Belt)
• Yellow Belt
• Advanced Yellow Belt (Striped Yellow Belt)
• Green Belt
• Advanced Green Belt (Striped Green Belt)
• Blue Belt
• Advanced Blue Belt (Striped Blue Belt)
• Red Belt
• Advanced Red Belt (Striped Red Belt)
• Black Belt (1st to 9th degree)

Once a student has met the requirements for a Black Belt Promotion Test, the student will be tested with the International Kukkiwon Standard in order for the student to receive the Certificate of the International Black Belt in Taekwondo from the Kukkiwon.

The rank you receive from the Kukkiwon can be taken to any Taekwondo school, however, it does not work the other way around.

The Kukkiwon is based in Seoul, South Korea. It is the prestigious, respected, the highest authority on Taekwondo in the world.

Taekwondo practitioners who wish to compete in the Olympics must have a Kukkiwon certification to be considered.

Other major competitions around the world such as the US Open, World Championships, Grand Prix, Grand Slam, and many others also require this Kukkiwon certification.