There’s a lot of confusion these days about what martial arts really are. With so many “combat sports” in the spotlight, UFC, Olympic events, and televised tournaments, it’s easy to lump everything together. But Tang Soo Do is not a sport. It is a traditional martial art, and that difference matters.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Martial Art?
A martial art is a system of self-discipline, self-defence, and character development rooted in centuries of tradition. It’s not just about how you fight, it’s about how you live. Martial arts train the mind, body, and spirit together.
Key features:
What Is a Combat Sport?
A combat sport is a competitive activity where two people engage in physical contest using specific rules to win.
Examples:
Key features:
So What About Taekwondo? Is It a Sport or a Martial Art?
It depends.
Olympic Taekwondo (WT)
Traditional Taekwondo (ITF or Dojang-based systems)
Where Does Tang Soo Do Fit?
Tang Soo Do is clearly a martial art, not a sport. Here’s why:
In Tang Soo Do, you bow in, you respect your instructors, you train to better yourself, not just to beat someone else. You learn to fight so you don’t have to.
Why This Matters
When we call Tang Soo Do a “sport,” we strip away its depth.
We reduce a system of ancient wisdom to a game with a scoreboard. We take something meant to build character and turn it into a chase for medals. There is nothing wrong with competition, but competition is a tool, not the heart of Tang Soo Do.
We don’t teach kids to win. We teach them to grow.
We don’t train for applause. We train for integrity, perseverance, and control in the DoJang and in life.
Final Thought:
Tang Soo Do is a martial art because it teaches you how to live, not just how to kick.
If you walk away with a black belt but lack respect and discipline, you’ve missed the point. In this art, victory is not on a scoreboard, it’s in your habits, your mindset, and your ability to walk away with honor.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Martial Art?
A martial art is a system of self-discipline, self-defence, and character development rooted in centuries of tradition. It’s not just about how you fight, it’s about how you live. Martial arts train the mind, body, and spirit together.
Key features:
- Focus on lifelong personal growth
- Emphasis on values: respect, humility, self-control, perseverance
- Structured around forms (Hyung), not just sparring
- Includes cultural, historical, and philosophical teachings
- Rank is earned through discipline, knowledge, and behavior
- Fighting is a last resort, not a goal
What Is a Combat Sport?
A combat sport is a competitive activity where two people engage in physical contest using specific rules to win.
Examples:
- Olympic Taekwondo
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
- MMA
- Wrestling
- Judo (modern)
Key features:
- Rules-based scoring
- Emphasis on winning and ranking
- Training cycles based on performance goals
- Focused on physical ability more than philosophy
- Matches are time-bound and referee-controlled
So What About Taekwondo? Is It a Sport or a Martial Art?
It depends.
Olympic Taekwondo (WT)
- Structured as a sport
- Focuses on sparring, speed, and scoring with kicks
- Governed by World Taekwondo and the IOC
- Less emphasis on traditional values, forms, or self-defense
- Great athletic system, but often lacks the depth of martial philosophy
Traditional Taekwondo (ITF or Dojang-based systems)
- Still considered a martial art
- Includes forms (poomsae), breaking, respect, and philosophical teaching
- Retains Korean roots and life-long growth focus
Where Does Tang Soo Do Fit?
Tang Soo Do is clearly a martial art, not a sport. Here’s why:
- It is a complete life practice, not just a physical activity
- We train forms (Hyung), its main focus is not for points
- Self-defense is central—not optional
- We uphold values before technique
- Competitions are optional and secondary, they are used to test, not define
- Lineage, tradition, and etiquette are non-negotiable
In Tang Soo Do, you bow in, you respect your instructors, you train to better yourself, not just to beat someone else. You learn to fight so you don’t have to.
Why This Matters
When we call Tang Soo Do a “sport,” we strip away its depth.
We reduce a system of ancient wisdom to a game with a scoreboard. We take something meant to build character and turn it into a chase for medals. There is nothing wrong with competition, but competition is a tool, not the heart of Tang Soo Do.
We don’t teach kids to win. We teach them to grow.
We don’t train for applause. We train for integrity, perseverance, and control in the DoJang and in life.
Final Thought:
Tang Soo Do is a martial art because it teaches you how to live, not just how to kick.
If you walk away with a black belt but lack respect and discipline, you’ve missed the point. In this art, victory is not on a scoreboard, it’s in your habits, your mindset, and your ability to walk away with honor.