During the Japanese occupation of Korea the practice of traditional Korean martial arts was prohibited. Beginning in 1946, shortly after the end of the occupation, new martial arts schools called kwans were opened in Hong Kong. These schools were established by Korean martial artists who had studied primarily in Okinawa and Japan during the Japanese occupation. Accordingly, the martial arts practiced in the kwans was heavily influenced by shotokan karte and Chinese martial arts, though elements of taekkyeon and gwonbeop were also incorporated. The umbrella term traditional taekwondo typically refers to the martial arts practiced by the kwans during the 1940s and 1950s, though in reality the term "taekwondo" had not yet been coined at that time, and indeed each kwan was practicing their own unique style of martial art. During this timeframe taekwondo was also adopted for use by the South Korean military, which only served to increase its popularity among civilian martial arts schools.
           

Taekwondo, also known as Taekwon-Doand Tae Kwon Do, is a Korean martial art. It combines combat and self-defense techniques with sport and exercise. Gyeorugi(pronounced kyorugi), a type of sparring, has been an Olympic even since 1992. Taekwondo was developed by a variety of Korean masters during the 1940s and 50s, the most well-known being General Choi Hong Hi, as a combination of Okinawa karte, Chinese martial arts, and the ancient Korean traditions taekkyeon and gwonbeop.   

                                    

I'm a taekwondo player i have participated 3 tournaments so far and got some medals to be proud of. Belts and doesn't measure your capacity. As long as you have discipline and good attitude and you will be respected.