Taekwondo is a martial art that is practised in over 200 countries. The number of people that practise Taekwondo is astounding! If you’re new to Taekwondo or are curious about it, you might like to know which nations Taekwondo is popular in.
You can get a solid notion of where Taekwondo is most popular by looking at a few of the top talents in the World Championships.
Of course, Taekwondo is popular in many areas, but the countries listed below are among the most successful in international Taekwondo contests. This article will discuss where Taekwondo is most popular in the world.
Where Is Taekwondo The Most Popular?
1. South Korea
Taekwondo’s popularity in Korea should come as no surprise. Taekwondo is a martial art that originated in Korea.
The martial art evolved across a thousand years before being refined and presented to the West throughout the 1940s as a worldwide sports activity.
One of several reasons for the martial art’s popularity across South Korea is because it is included in the combat training of Korean soldiers.
It is, in fact, the official national martial art of South Korea. Taekwondo is an extremely effective self-defense technique.
It began as a method of self defence and has subsequently evolved into the country’s national sport. South Korea seems to be the most successful country on the international level, having won over 250 titles at the World Championships.
2. Spain
Taekwondo is thought to have arrived in Spain throughout the 1970s. The technique began as a demonstration, then as a kind of self-defense offered only to a restricted group of people around the country.
However, it was quickly accessible to the general public as a kind of self-defense training and exercise. With well over 100 medals, the nation is among the three leading successful nations in terms of World Championships medals.
3. Taiwan
Taekwondo is studied by a large number of pupils in Taiwan, ranging from the smallest children to the elderly. There are numerous Taekwondo academies, and the sport appears to be gaining popularity.
Taiwan is a prominent challenger throughout the World Championships, despite its small population; they presently have roughly 80 medals.
4. Turkey
The majority of people are unaware that Taekwondo is prominent in Turkey – but now you are! Taekwondo classes were first offered in Turkey throughout the 1960s. In Turkey, the Taekwondo organisation was formally established in 1968.
Since then, it has grown in popularity as a sport and a method of self-defence that the Turkish people are eager to learn and practise. The country has won roughly 70 medals in the World Taekwondo Championships.
5. Iran
In 1970, a Korean expert called Kim Soo Ryon is reported to have brought Taekwondo to Iran. Many people believe it has been bridging the gap between Iran and South Korea for nearly a century by establishing a connection between the two countries.
The military and police began adopting Taekwondo in regular training when it was originally introduced to the country. It has proven to be incredibly beneficial in terms of agility training and protection mechanisms.
Iran is the most successful country in the World Championships, having won over 60 medals.
6. United States Of America
Taekwondo is extremely prevalent in the United States, which should come as no surprise. Since its introduction to the country, it has steadily grown in popularity. Taekwondo is being practised by thousands of individuals in the United States.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Taekwondo became popular in the United States. It was first employed to teach American soldiers at military training sites in the United States.
It swiftly gained popularity, and individuals were soon able to practise it as a method of self defence and exercise. The United States has won almost 90 medals in the World Championships, with around 15 of them being gold medals.
7. China
Taekwondo has been warmly received by the Chinese people, and it appears that its popularity has continuously increased over time.
With many Taekwondo schools across the country, Taekwondo is practised by the bulk of the population alongside other martial arts.
8. Germany
When did Taekwondo become popular in Germany? Germany appears to have lagged behind in the introduction of Taekwondo. Taekwondo was established and widely practised in Germany since 1981, according to most web resources.
Since then, it has grown in popularity as a sport and a method of self-defense across the country.
9. France
The French Association of Taekwondo was created in 1995, however the discipline is thought to have been practised in France for much longer. In France, there are numerous Taekwondo training schools, and the sport’s popularity is growing.
While France did not bring back as many awards as the top five performing countries in the World Championships, they performed fairly well with roughly 35 medals.
10. Mexico
In Mexico, taekwondo is not really a new sport. In truth, it has been widely practised for many years in the country. Moon Dai-Won brought Taekwondo to Mexico in 1968, only one year after his arrival from Korea.
Taekwondo is practised by millions of people in the country, and there are hundreds of Taekwondo schools. Mexico has won roughly 70 medals in the World Taekwondo Championships.
11. The United Kingdom
Taekwondo came to the United Kingdom in 1967. Great Britain has won roughly 25 medals in the World Taekwondo Championships.
12. Thailand
Taekwondo is a popular martial art in Thailand that may be taught and practised in both schools and gymnasiums. Taekwondo was initially introduced to Thailand in the early 1970s, according to sources.
This appears to have occurred as Korean martial arts masters visited the globe in search of national Taekwondo development. Thailand has embraced teaching and practising Taekwondo to both young and elderly ever since.
Final Thoughts
While Taekwondo is popular in more than 200 countries throughout the world, this list highlights some of the countries that have had the most success at World Taekwondo Championships.
If you reside in these locations, you will undoubtedly be able to get a good dosage of Taekwondo.
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