Taekwondo "Kyukpa": Power Breaking Demonstration

[@jsstevens]

This is how Taekwondo is practiced in Korea. Advanced breaks take technique, speed, mental conditioning, discipline, breathing technique, focus and physical conditioning. They condition the part of the body they break with for years gradually hardening bone and muscle until it can endure breaking hard material such as stone and iron in this video.

[@jsstevens]

This is the martial art of Taekwondo as represented by Koreans and the Kukkiwon. There is no kyukpa division in the Olympics. The "Olympic style" Taekwondo sparring is a popular yet small subset of Taekwondo as a whole. All strikes used in the sport can be used in breaking, but not all techniques used in breaking are allowed in the sport.

[@jsstevens]

It takes more than muscle power to break several layers of stone without injury. It takes more than muscle power to perform advanced speed breaks. It takes excellent instruction, inner calm, a strong spirit, conditioned striking surfaces, years of hard earned confidence and self-mastery.

[@jsstevens]

Yes. As I understand it the highest level of technique is supposed to utilize Ki, so I would say that these elite practitioners are all using Ki to the best of their abilities while performing such breaks.

[@Liquidcadmus]

wow! the last two were very impressive.the bottles didnt even flicker..

[@jsstevens]

The Korean term for inner power is "Ki".

[@jsstevens]

I too have seen a lot of ways to make a break easier or to cheat all together. However, unless you were there to examine the material personally you should not accuse these people of cheating. It is not an honorable thing to do. I've seen "martial artists" that are used to cheating on breaks to be genuinely surprised to find that others do not need to cheat.

[@jsstevens]

The two curved items are iron.

[@jsstevens]

Really? I suppose that you've witnessed quite a few olympic TKD medallists attempt the same and fail in your day? Could you please name them?

[@Pope2501]

WHOA! Nice breaks! Did you see these first-hand?

[@jsstevens]

It's the same in Korean.

[@ITFfighter]

they use pure muscular power

[@acethedisturbed]

yeah...that takes some skill

[@ni7enichi]

was that iron?? x_x;