Tiger Tae-Kwon Do

1583 South Calumet Ave.

Chesterton, Indiana 46304

Telephone: (219) 921-1171

TaeKwonDo is a Korean phrase made from three parts. Tae means ‘foot' [as in to destroy with], Kwon means ‘fist' and Do means ‘way' [in the sense of the path you should follow]. So TaeKwonDo means ‘way of the foot and fist.'

TaeKwonDo refers to a Korean fighting system which uses the hands and feet to deliver high energy impact techniques to the opponent. These techniques take the form of punches, strikes, kicks and blocks.

Unlike many other martial arts, Tiger Tae-Kwon Do fights full-contact. Competitors are required to wear head gear, a mouth guard, a chest protector called a "hogu," arm and instep pads. Target area for punching is restricted to the front part of the hogu (basically, the torso area). Target area for kicking is the front and sides of the head and the hogu. In order to score a point, the strike must be on the target area and must be delivered with "trembling shock." Points do not stop the action unless there is a knockout, someone is pushed out of the ring, etc. This is completely unlike point sparring, where light or no contact is allowed and where a point stops the action until the referee resumes the fight.

The United States TaeKwonDo Union, or USTU is the American Group A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and is the National Governing Body for TaeKwonDo. It is the USTU's responsibility to select the U.S. Olympic Team and prepare them for international championships.

Class Schedule:

Contact the School for the latest changes.

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History of Tae-Kwon Do

The origin of TaeKwonDo can be traced back to the Koguryo dynasty, founded in 37B.C. Since mural paintings found in the ruins of the royal tombs built by that dynasty show sense of TaeKwonDo practice. TaeKwonDo was also practiced during the Sill dynasty. Silla was a kingdom found in the southeastern part of the land some 20 years before Koguryo in the north(57B.C.) Silla was famous for its Hwarang Do, the knights who trained their bodies and minds by devoting themselves to hunting, studies and training in martial art; they trained in Tae Kyon (an old name for TaeKwonDo ). TaeKwonDo retained its popularity after the Koguryo and Silla dynasties through the Koryo dynasty that was founded in 918A.D. and continued for 475 years, and through the Yi dynasty after that. In the history of Koryo, Taekwondo, which was then termed Subak , was practiced not only as a skill to improve health or as a sports activity, but it was also encouraged as a martial art of considerably high value. Taekwondo development in modern times began with the Korean liberation in 1945. After that, a number of Koreans, who were interested in Taekwondo, began trying to revitalize the traditional sport of Taekwondo. Thus, Taekwondo has grown as a unique Korean self-defense art for about 20 centuries. The popularity and enthusiasm for Taekwondo is not only domestic but worldwide as well because of the dominate superiority of Taekwondo over any other kind of self-defense arts in the world. Furthermore, its evolution and development as an international amateur sport has been fast; more than 1000 Korean instructors are teaching Taekwondo in more than 60 countries today. Taekwondo is represented by the World Taekwondo Federation. The WTF became an affiliate of the General Assembly of the International Sports Federation, by unanimous vote, at its annual meeting in Montreal, Canada on October 8, 1975.

Links to Other Tae-Kwon Do Sites

United States Taekwondo Union

Blackbelt Magazine

Tae Kwon Do Times

Kukkiwon

Taekwondo in the 2000 Olympics

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Master Debbie Grimaldi Biographical Information

Possess 5th Degree Black Belt in Moo Yea-Do, A Martial Arts Style combing Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu techniques and emphasizing defensive maneuvers.

Possess 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Instructor in Tae Kwon Do since 1974. Moo Duk Kwon.

Trained in Hapkido, a very practical martial art focusing on the psychology of the street fighter. ( Haipkido's effectiveness is not based upon physical, strength-related maneuvers, but on turning the attacker's own force upon himself).

Instructor for a children's self -defense class ( Tiger Tae Kwon-Do), emphasizing and incorporating aspects of physical conditioning and improving concentration and self-discipline.

Certified instructor for a rape prevention course prevention. Included in the course is instruction in Hapkido & street fighting techniques.

Trained Indiana Army Resource Forces in crowd control for 1996 Olympics. Certificate of recognition for outstanding service 1996 from Army National Guard.

Citation award 1996 by International Moo Yea-Do Federation. For dedication and service and out-standing development of Moo yea-Do as a world spirit.

1996 International Champion California, World Tae Kwon Do championship golden jubilee.

1994 national Champion (World Tae Kwon Do Federation championship).

Member of the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Union (USTU), a nonprofit amateur sports organization, which develops competitive martial arts programs; only martial arts organization which sanction the U.S. Olympics and U.S. Junior Olympics.

Registered member of the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF).