Sun Yi's Tae Kwon Do family site.

The Origin of Taekwondo

The origin of Taekwondo traces back to the three kingdoms of Koguryo (37 BC-668 AD), Paekche (18 BC-600 AD), and Silla (57 BC-936 AD). Mural paintings on the royal tombs of the Koguryo dynasty, the stone sculptures of pagadas of temples of the Silla period, and documents written in the Paekche dynasty showed fighting stances, skills, and formalized movements similar to today's Taekwondo styles and forms.

All three kingdoms indulged in growing national strength with trained warriors. Therefore, the Korean history tells that there were military personalities among the well-known prominent national leaders of the three kingdoms, which proves the military tendency of ruling hierarchy.

Although Taekwondo first appeared in the Koguryo kingdom, it is the Silla's Hwarang warriors that are credited with the growth and spread of Taekwondo throughout Korea. Silla was the smallest of the three kingdoms and was always under attack by Japanese pirates. Silla got help from King Gwanggaeto and his soldiers from the Koguryo kingdom to drive out the pirates. During this time a few select Sillan warriors were given training in Taek Kyon by the early masters from Koguryo.

The Taek Kyon trained warriors became known as the Hwarang. The Hwarang set up a military academy for the sons of royalty in Silla called Hwarang-do, which means "the way of flowering manhood." The guiding principles of the Hwarang warriors were loyalty, filial duty, trustworthiness, valor, and justice. The makeup of the Hwarang-do education was based on the Five Codes of Human Conduct written by a Buddhist scholar, fundamental education, Taek Kyon and social skills. Taek Kyon was spread throughout Korea because the Hwarang traveled all around the peninsula to learn about the other regions and people.

The modern period of Taekwondo began with the liberation of Korea in 1945 after World War II. Korea wanted to eliminate Japanese influences (in martial arts) and began to unite the various martial arts schools and styles into a single style and national sport. In 1965, the name Taekwondo was chosen to represent this unified style of Korean martial arts.

Kukkiwon

The present Kukkiwon was finished in 1972 and was used as the central gymnasium as well as the site of various Taekwondo competitions. A year later on May 28, 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) came into existence. The first World Taekwondo Championships were also held in 1973. In 1980 the World Taekwondo Federation was granted recognition by the International Olympic Committe (IOC). Then the adoption of Taekwondo as an official event was followed by the World Games in 1981, the Pan-American games in 1986, and finally by the 2000 Olympics held in Australia.

Sun Yi's Academy

With well over 1000 Black Belts, Sun Yi's Academy is nationally recognized and internationally accredited School of Tae Kwon Do. Our academy of Martial Arts is a family oriented, life skill building school. Sun Yi's Academy has several schools across the United Stated including the Triad area locations.

Our organization is directed by 9th Dan Grandmaster Chae Sun Yi, one of the worlds highest ranking Martial Arts instructors and founder of the Traditional Tae Kwon Do Association.

A Brief History of Sun Yi's Academy

Grand Master Yi came to the United States in 1973. He taught Tae Kwon do at Iowa State University from 1973 through 1975. In 1976 Master Yi opened the main academy located in Topeka, Kansas. Master Yi's students are now masters and instructors operating schools in Kansas, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Nevada. Mr. Steve Follick opened the Sun Yi's Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1984, In 1985, Mr. Randy Berger came to Raleigh to support Sun Yi's Academy. In 1987 with help from Dr. E. Knowles, Sun Yi's Academy started the N.C.S.U. Tae Kwon Do Club. This club has been recognized as one of N.C. State's best clubs on campus. Sun Yi's Academy has been teaching classes in North Carolina for the past 23 years. We offer classes at many Academies throughout North Carolina . The North Carolina Academies have raised money for St. Jude's Childrens Hospital and the American Cancer Society. We have been the director of the North Carolina State Games and North Carolina AAU games. Our students have won many Southeast and Midwest championships.

Sun Yi's Academy Instructors

All Sun Yi's instructors are nationally certified black belt instructors. Each certified instructor has a minimum of 8 years training in the art of Traditional Tae Kwon Do, with a minimum of 5 of those years in black belt training. Part of an instructor's goal is to not only train future black belts, but to set the proper example as a leader and officer in the Academy.