In recent years, taekwondo has become a very popular sport. All kinds of competitions and tournaments have sprung up from a local level to a global level. It has also recently become an Olympic sport, leading to a hierarchy among international taekwondo organizations.

By far the most popular is WTF (World Taekwondo Federation). Founded in 1973, the South Korea-based organization is the highest authority on Olympic taekwondo as a member of the International Olympic Committee. The organization has a long history of more than 30 years and is made up of members of 182 National Associations from five regions of the world: Asian (ATU), European (ETU), Pan American (PATU), African (AFU) and Oceania (OTU).

Also a big player in the field of taekwondo is the ITF (International Taekwondo Federation). Founded in 1966, the ITF’s core business is to administer tournaments and seminars, set teaching standards, and help ensure proper certification and classification. At the base of his values ​​and knowledge are the most important books on the art and practice of taekwondo: “The Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do” in 15 volumes and “The Korean Art of Self Defense” also known as the Condensed Encyclopedia , both written by General Choi Hong Hi.

The American Taekwondo Association (ATA) was founded in Omaha, Nebraska, USA by Haeng Ung Lee, in 1969. Along with the Songahm Taekwondo Federation and the World Traditional Taekwondo Union, they comprise one of the largest taekwondo organizations of the world, adding more than 350,000 members. ATA is popular for practicing Sogham Taekwondo at its affiliated schools. Sogham means “pine and rock” and compares the student learning taekwondo to the growth of a pine tree.

WTF is the most important of all taekwondo organizations due to its Olympic status. Over the last few years the way it functions has become more democratic, having evolved into a structure capable of balancing international expectations. I think the WTF is currently on the right track and will continue to be as long as it maintains its Olympic status. After General Choi’s death, the ITF split into three organizations: ITF Vienna, ITF North Korea, and ITF Canada, all claiming to be “the real” ITF. However, this had a negative impact on the international prestige of the ITF and affected its image. Easily discernible from its title, ATA is an efficient American organization. This situation prevents him from obtaining true international recognition.

It is my opinion that taekwondo will always have many different styles and be represented by a large number of organizations. I base this assumption on the way these kinds of issues are influenced by the economy, national politics, and the individual opinions of influential people.