Tae Kwon Do Getting to the Olympics

Tae Kwon Do Getting to the Olympics includes the creation, history and evolution of Taekwodo and defines the popularization of the first Korean martial art to become an Olympic sport. Also includes the many interactions and confrontations between the difficult Korean martial art leadership who were all fighting for the Korean government's recognition and sponsorship promised. This reference describes the key people, the key decisions, the key dates and events that created Tae Kwon Do and how Tae Kwon Do became the first Korean martial art to become an Olympic sport while many others were working to do the same. The author includes a complete description of the ancient Korean fighting arts, the history of the 20th century Tae Kwon Do Kwans that united and agreed to name their style Tae Kwon Do and the many obstacles that existed getting Tae Kwon Do from an unorganized group of schools located in villages and towns around the country after the Korean War to the beautiful Kukkiwon and into the Olympics. Chapters include: ITF Tae Kwon Do, WTF Tae Kwon Do, ATA Tae Kwon Do, Kuk Moo Kwan, Jung Do Kwan, Yun Moo Kwan, O Do Kwan, Sang Moo Kwan, Ji Do Kwan, Chang Moo Kwan, Chung Do Kwan, Han Moo Kwan and Moo Duk Kwan. There is also a Korean martial arts chronology with each Kwan founder's name, the founders style, the dates each Kwan opened and who was the Grandmaster for each style, also includes Tae Kwon Do terminology and the substantial bibliography, Glossary and Index for the convenience of the reader.

About the Author :
The author is an internationally known martial arts Instructor and author. He lives and trains in California. Len has been learning and teaching martial arts and meditation when he joined his first Tae Kwon Do class just days after graduating college. Len began teaching Tae Kwon Do after earning a Cho Dan (1st degree) Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do styles of traditional Korean martial arts almost simultaneously. Len began publishing magazine articles about martial arts in 1990. A classic over-achiever, Len augments his training with teaching and training with strength-based weight training, boxing training such as hand speed bag and the heavy bag and long distance running. It is meditation that Len uses to keep him in close touch with his body-mind-spirit, allowing him to train at higher levels of performance while minimizing injuries. Len has earned 5th Dan Black Belts in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do almost simultaneously and a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Soo Bahk. Len has written and is published more than 25 magazine articles and editorials related to meditation and martial arts for a variety of magazines including the prestigious Mudo Dojang, Black Belt and Tae Kwon Do Times. Many of Len's articles illustrate the forgotten history and evolution of Korean martial arts and so are often republished in other countries around the world because of their large historical content, unavailable otherwise. Len's martial arts magazine articles also appear on many martial arts web sites in the U.S. and around the world. Len has published many books on Korean martial arts, with several having extensive meditation discussions included. Some of these books include the traditional styles of Tang Soo Do, Soo Bahk Do and Tae Kwon Do Korean martial arts. One of Len's books about children's martial arts received Good Housekeeping magazine's Seal of Approval. Len currently has more than 30 years of martial arts experience. Academically, Len has earned four degree in Physics and Mathematics, an M.S. degree and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering and an M.A. degree in Education. Len had worked professionally as a Physicist, an Astrophysist, a Nuclear Physicist, an Aerospace Engineer, a Mechanical Engineer and an Electrical Engineer for more than 30 years and has been an executive at computer and telecommunications industry companies and many major aerospace and defense companies.