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TAEKWONDO VS JIU JITSU

By Benjamin Strusnik, June 06, 2022

Taekwondo is a completely different sport compared to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Taekwondo employs a vast series of kicking techniques, where BJJ is mainly a ground fighting art. The comparison between the arts is much like kung fu vs bjj, as Kung Fu also adopts a high series of kicking techniques. Both Martial Arts utilise a high source of energy to achieve their respective goals.

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Unlike bjj or krav maga, Taekwondo has an origin of over 2000 years, making it one of the oldest forms of Martial Arts in history. The Korean art was designed for self defense purposes as it uses a multitude of kicks so a practitioner can attack from a safe distance. The name tae-kwon-do stands for Tae (foot) Kwon (hand) Do (art) which is an appropriate representation of what the sport is all about. BJJ on the other hand is only just over a century old, but is one of the most comprehensive Martial Arts in the world. The high paced art involves a sequence of transitional movements which are designed to maintain control positions. The goal in BJJ is to secure submissions through the use of leverage based joint locks or choke holds.

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THE ORIGIN OF TAEKWONDO

Taekwondo has one of the oldest histories within the Martial Arts world. The earliest information dates back to between 37 BC and 66 AD, where in the Korean kingdom of Koguryo they found a mural in a tomb. The mural showed two unarmed figures facing each other in a Taekwondo stance. There were some extra drawings in the tomb that showed figures performing blocks and wearing uniforms similar to the modern day Taekwondo practitioner. As the nation of Korea began advancing, so did the development of its Taekwondo. Throughout the history books of Korea there are examples of Taekwondo written everywhere in every kingdom.

The kingdom of Silla had the highest form of the Martial Art, as Silla was constantly under attack by many of the much larger neighboring kingdoms. King Jin Heung the leader of Silla established an elite group of warriors called the Hwarang, which consisted of many sons of all the noblemen within the kingdom. All of these warriors were specifically chosen and trained in all aspects of military skills including unarmed combat. At the time the combat was called Tae Kyon but would later become Taekwondo. The Hwarang were taught many skills other than fighting techniques like; history, poetry, philosophy and strength of the mind and body, which was named Hwarang Do, which was the full body of study. The Hwarang gained many skills for battle and for their day to day lives, this is a direct correlation between modern Taekwondo training, which provides self defense skills, character building skills, self discipline, and skills in confidence.

After the Silla dynasty ended the Koryo dynasty ruled from 935 AD to 1352 AD, this is where Korea got its name from. The Royal family sponsored competitions and demonstrations of Subak Do, which was Taekwondo with a detailed set of rules, as this event became embedded into the culture of Korea. Generations later and the art of Taekwondo was still heavily practised all throughout Korea. In the 1950's a handful of master instructors travelled to the United States of America to spread the art. Over the next few decades the art of Taekwondo grew exponentially in popularity, especially as an international sport.

In the early 1970's, Korea hosted the first Taekwondo World Championships. In that same year, the World Taekwondo Federation was established as the international governing body for the sport. Nowadays there are 120 different countries with 20 million practitioners representing as members of the World Taekwondo Federation. Making this art the number one most practised Martial Art worldwide. In the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games Taekwondo was represented with demonstrations into the sport, before becoming a full medal sport competition beginning in the year 2000 at the Sydney Olympics in Australia.

THE ORIGIN OF BJJ

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu dates back to the early 1900’s when Mitsuyo Maeda delivered Kokudan Judo to Brazil. Mitsuyo was the famous student of Jigoro Kano, a Japanese master in Kokudan Judo. Mitsuyo was helping many Japanese settlers who were under significant conflict in the Amazon in Brazil. Mitsuyo was also teaching seminars all over Brazil, as he was noticed by Carlos Gracie. Mitsuyo was introduced to Carlos through his father Gastao, as Carlos was accepted by Mitsuyo as one of his students. Carlos learnt significant skills in combat and ideology from the Japanese master.

Carlos would then teach his knowledge to his brothers, and as Helio Gracie began to learn the art he started to develop his own systematic approach. Due to Helio's inability to utilise many of the Judo throws, he designed a more comprehensive ground fighting system. Helio would build a legacy where he taught his sons the intricate systems of what he now called Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Over the years the Gracie family began to develop their craft as they dominated Brazil, Japan and the United States of America.

Helio's son Royce Gracie would become the first Gracie Jiu Jitsu representative to win on the big stage of the UFC, a contest of different styles of Martial Arts that would later become Mixed Martial Arts. Many world class grapplers of today started their journey having the influence of the Gracie family's Jiu Jitsu. Nowadays the art is known more thoroughly as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

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COMPARING TAEKWONDO AND JIU JITSU

There are some significant differences between the age-old art of Taekwondo and the young up and coming Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Finding a comparison between the arts is as hard as finding one between jiu jitsu vs hapkido, as hapkido is similar to Taekwondo and a descendant of Tae Kyon, the ancient form of Taekwondo. BJJ uses a highly complex series of Judo and Wrestling techniques to take their opponents down to the mat. Once the fight is grounded a BJJ fighter uses smooth transitions to secure dominant position, and then advances towards submissions like chokes and joint locks. Taekwondo is completely different as it uses a high energy of kicking techniques to knock an opponent out. Many of the Taekwondo movements are kicks that incorporate jumping, spinning and rushing forward to attack their opponents. They can also use hand strikes in a fast and furious combination as a way to stun an opponent.

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu there is completely no striking, which is unlike the hybrid version of combat jiu jitsu vs mma which is a strike fest. BJJ is a fast paced but calm discipline of Martial Art, it involves using strength, speed, flexibility, dexterity, agility, patience and intelligence to gain dominant control positions against an opponent. Once a BJJ practitioner can take their opponents down to the floor they will use a strategic method of control as they begin to set up submission holds. In BJJ there are an infinite number of ways to submit an opponent by using leverage and strength to crush or submit an opponent.

MARTIAL ARTS VS. TAEKWONDO

Martial arts, as a term, encompasses a vast array of combat styles and disciplines practiced all over the globe. These styles have evolved from various cultures, histories, and philosophies. Taekwondo, specifically, has its roots deeply entrenched in Korean history and traditions. It is renowned for its dynamic and impressive kicks, as well as its focus on discipline and athleticism, especially in its sportive competitions.

While Taekwondo stands as a prominent pillar in the martial arts world, the term "martial arts" is an umbrella that shelters a myriad of styles, including but not limited to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Judo, and Kung Fu. Each martial art, though different, carries its unique set of techniques, training methodologies, and underlying philosophies.

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JIU JITSU VS. TAEKWONDO VS. KARATE

At a glance, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Taekwondo, and Karate might appear similar, being martial arts. However, delve deeper, and the distinctions become clear. BJJ finds its strength in ground combat, using intricate grappling techniques that allow a practitioner to control or submit their opponent, regardless of size differences. It's heavily influenced by Judo and ancient Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on the principle that technique can overcome brute strength.

Taekwondo, radiating from Korea, emphasizes stand-up combat, particularly characterized by its flamboyant and high-reaching kicks. The sportive side of Taekwondo has even earned it a prestigious spot in the Olympic games. On the other hand, Karate, born in Okinawa, Japan, is a striking art that combines punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow techniques. It's not just about combat; Karate also delves into the spiritual and philosophical aspects, promoting a way of life that emphasizes discipline, honor, and self-improvement. While BJJ, Taekwondo, and Karate might cater to different combat scenarios and philosophies, they all play pivotal roles in the vast tapestry of martial arts.

HOW DOES EACH ART STAND UP IN TRAINING

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has high levels of mobility and muscle activation. It shares tough training regimes that are similar to other Martial Arts like boxing, sambo, brazilian jiu jitsu and muay thai. In BJJ there is a high complexity of technical knowledge to acquire, coupled with an extensive brand of systematic movements. Training in BJJ is full contact and consists of high intensity scrambling between positions and transitioning into submissions holds. The benefits of training under such high conflict scenarios will only make a student better at the art. BJJ training has the right balance of warm up techniques, maneuvers to learn and high intensity ground sparring.

Taekwondo has a very different training set up as the Martial Art is all about being on the feet. Taekwondo focuses on head height kicks, jumping kicks, spinning kicks, sidekicks, and fast paced striking. A typical lesson in Taekwondo will consist of different kicking drills, striking drills, and speed targets. These drills are designed specifically to improve a student's motor skills and flexibility. Taekwondo is the oldest Martial Art that is known, and the ancient art was used to fight against real life combat, so in the modern era of fighting this Martial Art has plenty to offer.

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WHAT IS THE CONTRAST BETWEEN TAEKWONDO AND JIU JITSU

There is a notable difference between Taekwondo and Jiu Jitsu, as BJJ is mostly a ground fighting Martial Art and Taekwondo is a stand up striking art. Both Martial Arts have self defense concepts, but they are both well known for their sports based competition styles, which is similar to boxing and bjj as they are both competitively driven. BJJ has an end goal of submitting an opponent, while Taekwondo is purely looking for the knockout.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu follows an extensive points system, where in competition a practitioner can earn significant points for various control positions. There are different weight classes, age categories and rank divisions within a competition. A BJJ competitor must follow certain rules like moves they are not allowed to use, like neck cranks, knee reaping, twisting leg locks and slamming an opponent. The only way a fight can finish before a time limit has run out, is if a competitor submits their opponent. In Taekwondo the objective of each competitor is to score points by landing punches and kicks on their opponent’s torso or head or they can win by knockout. All strikes must be delivered through a straight punching technique with a tightly clenched fist. Their kicks will only score points if it is delivered from any part of the foot below the ankle bone. The scoring system is as follows, one point for a punch to the torso, two points for a kick to the torso, 3 points for a kick to the head, 4 points for a turning kick to the torso and 5 points for a turning kick to the head.

The belt ranking system in BJJ can seem extremely complicated. During the junior grades a student begins as a white belt before moving into the grey belt phase. This is made up of three grey belts: a grey and white, a solid grey and a grey and black belt. The next phase is the yellow belt trio, before moving onto the orange and then green belt groups, in total there are thirteen different kids belts. The adult belts also start from the white belt before moving through the blue, purple, brown and black belts, there are also two coral belts and a red belt but they are basically reserved for pioneers of the sport or the Gracie hierarchy. The belt ranking system in Taekwondo is different then BJJ, as they have six different coloured belts. Grades start from the White belt for beginners, moving through the ranks to yellow, green, blue, red and the highest is a black belt. The highest level a Taekwondo practitioner can be is a ninth degree black belt.

Gi's are worn in both Martial Arts, as in BJJ it is tradition to use the Gi. The Gi is a weapon in BJJ as practitioners will utilise the extremely thick lapel to choke their opponents. They are also allowed to grab the Gi fabric or use the lapels to wrap limbs on the body of their opponents. BJJ has a secondary division called No Gi, where practitioners will wear only a pair of shorts and a rashguard; some athletes wear compression pants under their shorts. In Taekwondo practitioners will also wear a Gi, which is called a dobok, except it is lighter like the difference between a karate gi vs bjj gi. The Taekwondo practitioner will also wear forearm and shin guards, gloves, sensing socks, head protection and a mouth guard.

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WHICH MARTIAL ART HAS THE ADVANTAGE TO WIN

There are a great deal of matchups that are polar opposites like bjj vs kick boxing or bjj vs wing chun, this is the same with Taekwondo and Jiu Jitsu. One art is purely based on striking, while the other is all about ground fighting. If the fight was taken to the ground then a BJJ fighter would win comprehensively, but if the match remained on the feet a Taekwondo fighter could easily knock out a BJJ fighter. Taekwondo would have an incredible advantage in winning a fight, due to the ferocity and range of their kicking abilities. A BJJ fighter first has to close the distance in order to secure a takedown, and as a Taekwondo fighter is masterful at spinning kicks it would be hard to see past a Taekwondo win on the feet. The problem is if a BJJ fighter is patient and strategic like they are conditioned to be, then they could easily withstand a barrage of attacks and counter attack with grappling skills. Overall a BJJ fighter is more of an all rounder and a deadly professional at finishing a fight. A strike won't always knock an opponent out, but a choke will always put an opponent to sleep.

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