WTF vs. ITF

[Sinawali_C]

Hello everyone,

I train for 8 years at a WTF school. Now this school among several others that I'm aware of change organisation towards ITF. It seems to be a similar trend all over Europe. What is it like in USA, Canada etc. ?
Main reason seems to be the management. WTF doesn't care much about opinions outside Korea and raise extra money from every school for their Olympic program.
Opinions ?

By the way I've seen the last WTF World Championship in Germany and it seems very poor to me that a final (women) had no hits at all. Count 0 - 0 looked like ballet, 6 min of stepping on your tiptoes.
That's not the art I'm addicted to, sorry.

[Akuma]

Sinawali,
Really it's a matter of preference for where your interests lie. I have studied WTF style TKD before, and I currently study ITF. My preference is ITF...I feel that is a more traditional style of TKD. Olympic style...while very effective at what it does, does not appeal to me. I respect the athelets who do it, but that type of training doesn't interest me. Take an ITF class and see how you like it! Peace.

[Bugeisha]

Does the ITF exist as a governing body anymore? I thought that they splintered with the death of General Choi.

[Spartan]

The last I heard, it splinterred into at least 3 federations. There were more split up following that. The personality conflict, ego, backstabbing, power grapping, backroom sniping, internet mud slugfest, would make a great soap opera. :D

[Bugeisha]

That's the same thing that I heard. Add that to the fact that the WTF is neck deep in scandal, and it's easy to see why TKD has a bad rep. Well, that and the fact that there are probably more "Mcdojang's" than legitimate teachers. Shameful, really.

[Spartan]

Master Choi was supposed to be the true standard bearer of his father's ITF. Every ITF member was supposed to eventually jumpship over to his true ITF. About a year and a half ago, a bunch of ITF chief instructors who were among his staunchest and earliest supporters, bailed on him and formed their own ITF. Nasty accusations were exchanged and published. It is sad. The ITF in the US splitted up too. Some have gone independent. Some allied with different ITF's. Regarding many of the things, I could say "Told you so". But that wouldn't do any good. Besides, I no longer have any personal stake in it anymore.

[Bugeisha]

Thanks for the info, Kenneth!