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THE RIGHT MOVES Taekwondo, a Korean form of martial art that uses both fists and legs to thwart and fend off likely attackers, is a favourite

The atrocities that working women face, more so in bigger cities, has often resulted in them joining classes in self defence. And taekwondo, a Korean form of martial art that uses both fists and legs to thwart and fend off likely attackers, is a favourite. “A competent exponent can easily fend off a challenge from two or three offenders,” said J. Pradeep, secretary and chief instructor, Karnataka Amateur Taekwondo Association (KATA). “But then taekwondo is a non-contact sport in competitions…we control ourselves so as not to injure the opponent. But when if it comes to real-life situations there is no holding back,” stressed Pradeep, who is a 3rd degree black-belt and has more than 2,000 students under his wing.

Taekwondo, founded by Gen. Choi Hong Hee in 1955 has had two world bodies — International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), the more popular version that has its roots in North Korea, and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), which is more pronounced in South Korea.

The ITF has won many followers because of different forms like sparring, pattern, self defence techniques, and power breaking techniques.

“Though taekwondo was a demo sport in the Atlanta Olympics (1996) it has become a medal sport since and there are six medals at stake in each section (men and women). In the Asian Games, the sport was introduced in the Busan Games,” said Pradeep.

Pradeep, a student of B. Rajendran, a 7th degree black-belt, the highest graded Indian and A. Gunashekaran (3rd degree black belt), has met with resounding Though Karnataka has been fielding a team in the Nationals since 1987 its only since the Bangalore Nationals in 2004 that the State has been figuring prominently in the medal bracket, finishing second best to Delhi. Even in the recently concluded Nationals at Kolkata (December 28 to 30), Karnataka with 19 gold, finished second best to Delhi (23 gold, six silver, 10 bronze). In the total medals’ count however Karnataka (26 silver and 30 bronze) has been far too superior.

At the international competitions too, India, and more particularly Karnataka fighters have been doing exceedingly well. At the China Open International championships in Beijing last year, India won two silver and 10 bronze and all the medals came from Karnataka team members. J. Pradeep in the senior power breaking technique (breaking fibre board objects in various styles) and M. Vanitha in the sparring event for junior girls, claimed silver; 14-year old Vanitha and 12-year old Naina Narayanswamy (the youngest Indian girl to be awarded the black belt as a nine year old) along with Pawan Kemparaj and Vikram Arvind are touted as potential stars along with Siddanth D. Gambhir, who was adjudged the “best fighter” at the Kolkata Nationals.

There are as many as 45 black belts in Bangalore today, of which eight are in the women’s section, with seven of them being in the 14-15 years category.

“We took to the sport at the age of three and four years and are still fascinated by it. Taekwondo has helped us to be mentally and physically fit and we are looking to win many more laurels for the state and country in competitions,” say Harshitha, Vanitha, Naina, Ramyashree and S. Dhanya.

A sport that is very popular in north India with Delhi claiming to have between 15,000 to 18,000 taekwondo students is definitely gaining momentum in the south too, with Karnataka leading the way. N. Ramamurthi, president of the state association feels that the surge will continue, more so amongst the women and girls.

The Taekwondo Association of India is the only martial arts association in India which has conducted four international events.

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