26/10/2025
Official ITTAF Manifesto
Chaired by Grandmaster Mario Pons – 9th Dan – ITTAF President
Since the creation of ITTAF, our mission has been clear and firm: to preserve, protect, and spread the true spirit of Traditional Taekwon-Do, as envisioned by General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of the art.
In a world where the dispersion of federations has led to confusion about the origin and authenticity of Taekwon-Do, ITTAF maintains the living continuity of General Choi's lineage. ITTAF President Grandmaster Mario Pons, holder of the 9th Dan awarded by Grandmaster Park Jong Soo, guarantees that every teaching, every rank, and every examination conducted under ITTAF respect the original generational transmission, ensuring that the founder's legacy reaches every practitioner anywhere in the world.
From its earliest years, ITTAF has embraced the vision of preserving General Choi's original legacy. In a memorable meeting in 1991, during a course in Porto, Portugal, the need to differentiate Traditional Taekwon-Do from other movements to facilitate its promotion as an official sport was respectfully addressed. General Choi refused because he told me that he was the founder of Taekwon-Do and that it was the others who should change the name. I respectfully replied that he was absolutely right, but that bureaucracy and politics don't work that way, because the others were already recognized by the GAISF and the IOC. This dialogue, always in the spirit of learning and loyalty to the founder, inspired the creation of ITTAF, reflecting both fidelity to the lineage and the strategic vision necessary for its international expansion.
Traditional Taekwon-Do is not just a set of techniques or forms; it is a Way of Mind and Body, an art that develops discipline, respect, and humanity. ITTAF is committed to honoring this principle, offering each practitioner a space to learn, grow, and discover the true essence of the art, preserving the philosophy and ethics that General Choi bequeathed to us.
Our vision is to unite practitioners through authenticity, technical consistency, and fidelity to the original spirit, serving as a reference and guide for all those who seek not only physical excellence but also the moral and spiritual development that distinguishes Traditional Taekwon-Do.
At ITTAF, lineage is not an empty symbol: it is life, transmission, and commitment. Each rank, each instructor, and each practice represent a direct link from the founder, ensuring that General Choi's legacy lives on and flourishes for future generations. We invite all practitioners, instructors, and lovers of Traditional Taekwon-Do to join this mission of unity, authenticity, and respect for the lineage, so that together we can build a future where Taekwon-Do is not only a recognized martial art, but a true and eternal Way of life. From its earliest years, ITTAF has embraced the vision of preserving General Choi's original legacy. In a memorable 1991 meeting during a course in Porto, Portugal, the need to differentiate Traditional Taekwon-Do from other movements to facilitate its projection as an official sport was respectfully addressed. This dialogue, always in the spirit of learning and loyalty to the founder, inspired the creation of ITTAF, reflecting both fidelity to the lineage and the strategic vision necessary for its international expansion.
Traditional Taekwon-Do is not just a set of techniques or forms; it is a Way of Mind and Body, an art that develops discipline, respect, and humanity. ITTAF is committed to honoring this principle, offering every practitioner a space to learn, grow, and discover the true essence of the art, preserving the philosophy and ethics that General Choi bequeathed to us.
Our vision is to unite practitioners through authenticity, technical consistency, and fidelity to the original spirit, serving as a reference and guide for all those who seek not only physical excellence but also the moral and spiritual development that distinguishes Traditional Taekwon-Do.
At ITTAF, lineage is not an empty symbol: it is life, transmission, and commitment. Each rank, each instructor, and each practice represent a direct link from the founder, ensuring that General Choi's legacy lives on and flourishes in future generations.
We invite all practitioners, instructors, and lovers of Traditional Taekwon-Do to join this mission of unity, authenticity, and respect for the lineage, so that together we can build a future where Taekwon-Do is not only a recognized martial art, but a true and eternal Way of life. Email [email protected]
