2nd International Symposium on Taekwondo Studies Held at Copenhagen, Denmark
The 2nd International Symposium on Taekwondo Studies was held at the Scandic Copenhagen Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark on Oct. 12, 2009, drawing about 150 people.
Under the theme “The Globalization of Taekwondo,” the two-day symposium is jointly organized by the World Taekwondo Federation, Kyung Hee University in Korea, and the University of Copenhagen.
The symposium took place two days prior to the opening of the 2009 WTF World Taekwondo Championships, which are scheduled for Oct. 14-18 at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen.
The symposium drew about 150 dignitaries, including Mr. Ivan Dibos, member of the International Olympic Committee from Peru; Mr. Phil Coles, an IOC member from Australia; and presidents and high-ranking officials of WTF member national associations.
Prof. Hans Bonde of the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences at the University of Copenhagen delivered an opening address. “For many people the lives we live today are characterized by academic drudgery in the classroom, at the machine or behind a desk. The most nerve-racking highlight of our day seems to be getting safely across the pedestrian crossing.”
“Therefore many modern people direct their attention to Oriental martial arts such as taekwondo that require the utmost attention and total focus of body and mind. Some practitioners of taekwondo also become spellbound by some deeper philosophical layers to which they are only gradually introduced,” Prof. Bonde said.
Dr. Chungwon Choue, president of the World Taekwondo Federation, made a congratulatory speech for the symposium participants.
“I believe that the growth of a sport does not entail the increased number of practitioners or development in the technical aspect alone. It should accompany the increased capacity as a sport to make a social and educational contribution,” WTF President Choue said.
He continued to say, “Development of taekwondo for academic discourse and programs, therefore, is very important in nurturing the future taekwondo leaders who will contribute to the education of future generations.”
“Today the main theme of this symposium is the Globalization of Taekwondo, which projects a vision for taekwondo both in theory and practice. Globalization of taekwondo is also the goal of the WTF. And we need studies and exchanges of ideas to help unfold our aspiration in practice,” Dr. Choue said.
“I sincerely hope that there will be more opportunities as such that bring about academic contribution to the development of taekwondo,” he said.
“For this I would like to recommend the annual holding of the International Symposium for Taekwondo Studies. I also propose an establishment of an International Association for Taekwondo Studies for more active scholarly exchange.” WTF President Choue said.
Prof. Young Ryul Choi, dean of the College of Physical Education at Kyung Hee University, also gave a congratulatory speech.
Under the topic “Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks: Moving Towards Expertise in Taekwondo,” Prof. Thomas J. Templin of the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Purdue University made a key-note speech.
Dr. Jesper L. Andersen of the Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen at the University of Copenhagen, also delivered a key-note speech under the topic “Strength Training: How Does It Affect Our Muscles?”
The key-note speeches were followed by four academic sessions: taekwondo physiology and measurement, taekwondo biomechanics and rehabilitation, taekwondo pedagogy and philosophy, and taekwondo psychology and marketing.
Under the theme “The Globalization of Taekwondo,” the two-day symposium is jointly organized by the World Taekwondo Federation, Kyung Hee University in Korea, and the University of Copenhagen.
The symposium took place two days prior to the opening of the 2009 WTF World Taekwondo Championships, which are scheduled for Oct. 14-18 at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen.
The symposium drew about 150 dignitaries, including Mr. Ivan Dibos, member of the International Olympic Committee from Peru; Mr. Phil Coles, an IOC member from Australia; and presidents and high-ranking officials of WTF member national associations.
Prof. Hans Bonde of the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences at the University of Copenhagen delivered an opening address. “For many people the lives we live today are characterized by academic drudgery in the classroom, at the machine or behind a desk. The most nerve-racking highlight of our day seems to be getting safely across the pedestrian crossing.”
“Therefore many modern people direct their attention to Oriental martial arts such as taekwondo that require the utmost attention and total focus of body and mind. Some practitioners of taekwondo also become spellbound by some deeper philosophical layers to which they are only gradually introduced,” Prof. Bonde said.
Dr. Chungwon Choue, president of the World Taekwondo Federation, made a congratulatory speech for the symposium participants.
“I believe that the growth of a sport does not entail the increased number of practitioners or development in the technical aspect alone. It should accompany the increased capacity as a sport to make a social and educational contribution,” WTF President Choue said.
He continued to say, “Development of taekwondo for academic discourse and programs, therefore, is very important in nurturing the future taekwondo leaders who will contribute to the education of future generations.”
“Today the main theme of this symposium is the Globalization of Taekwondo, which projects a vision for taekwondo both in theory and practice. Globalization of taekwondo is also the goal of the WTF. And we need studies and exchanges of ideas to help unfold our aspiration in practice,” Dr. Choue said.
“I sincerely hope that there will be more opportunities as such that bring about academic contribution to the development of taekwondo,” he said.
“For this I would like to recommend the annual holding of the International Symposium for Taekwondo Studies. I also propose an establishment of an International Association for Taekwondo Studies for more active scholarly exchange.” WTF President Choue said.
Prof. Young Ryul Choi, dean of the College of Physical Education at Kyung Hee University, also gave a congratulatory speech.
Under the topic “Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks: Moving Towards Expertise in Taekwondo,” Prof. Thomas J. Templin of the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Purdue University made a key-note speech.
Dr. Jesper L. Andersen of the Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen at the University of Copenhagen, also delivered a key-note speech under the topic “Strength Training: How Does It Affect Our Muscles?”
The key-note speeches were followed by four academic sessions: taekwondo physiology and measurement, taekwondo biomechanics and rehabilitation, taekwondo pedagogy and philosophy, and taekwondo psychology and marketing.