Taekwondo is a Korean martial art focused on kicks, punches, blocks, and athletic movement. It develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and self-defense skills. This article features 59 riddles about different aspects of taekwondo to test your knowledge. See if you know the answers!
Riddles About Taekwondo History & Origins
Taekwondo has an interesting history that has shaped the art over decades. Here are some riddles to uncover facts about its origins:
Riddle #1: I emerged after World War II from ancient Korean martial arts. Multiple kwans or schools united to form me. What am I?
Answer: Taekwondo
Riddle #2: Many of taekwondo’s early influencers were these people from a neighboring Asian country known for a similar martial art. Who were they?
Answer: Japanese karate masters like Gichin Funakoshi
Riddle #3: Though originating in Korea, this state promoted and standardized taekwondo starting in the 1950s and 60s.
Answer: Texas
Riddle #4: Before there was taekwondo, ancient Korean martial arts included taekkyeon and this other old style using hands and feet.
Answer: Subak
Riddles About Taekwondo Training
Mastering taekwondo requires rigorous and repetitive training to build muscle memory. See if you know the answers to these riddles about common drills:
Riddle #5: I’m not music, but I represent repetitive moves done in sequence to memorize patterns.
Answer: Hyung (the Korean word for ‘form’)
Riddle #6: Before breaking boards, these preliminaries must be repetition – twenty is the number agreed.
Answer: Kicks
Riddle #7: From front stance I execute a mid-level punch, followed by one that’s high. For hours I repeat, until perfected is my eye.
Answer: One-step sparring
Riddle #8: My knuckles bleed as I harden my weapon, preparing to break objects lying ahead.
Answer: Knuckle push ups
Riddles About Taekwondo Ranks & Belts
In taekwondo, different colored belts denote students’ ranks and progress. Solve these riddles about the belt system:
Riddle #9: I’m the beginning color that means you are new. No skills yet have you.
Answer: White belt
Riddle #10: Next in rank, my color represents the earth from which a seedling grows.
Answer: Yellow belt
Riddle #11: Look to the heavens, I’m their colorful hue.
Answer: Green belt
Riddle #12: Blue as the sky am I, halfway to black belt in the ranks.
Answer: Blue belt
Riddle #13: A red-hot fighter, burning with skill and power am I.
Answer: Red belt
Riddle #14: Almost to mastery, I’m a darker major hue.
Answer: Brown belt
Riddle #15: A mix of all colors, opposite of white – I’m the highest rank you can reach. What belt am I?
Answer: Black belt
Riddles About Taekwondo Sparring & Self-Defense
Taekwondo teaches valuable self-defense techniques for real-life threats and situations. Try these sparring and self-defense related riddles:
Riddle #16: We’re not candy, but we’re sweet shields protecting your hands and feet.
Answer: Gear like pads and gloves
Riddle #17: Strike me to test your skills and I’ll bounce back for more through the air.
Answer: Punching bag
Riddle #18: My name means ‘free fighting’ – rules govern this engagement between two taekwondo foes.
Answer: Jayu matsogi (free sparring)
Riddle #19: Whether punch, strike or grab – I’m your partner as we train self-defense and spar.
Answer: Assailant
Riddle #20: Grab me straight on to practice defense moves and build reflex.
Answer: Focus mitt
Riddles About Taekwondo Kicks
As a kick-focused martial art, taekwondo features a wide arsenal of challenging kicks. Solve riddles identifying some standard ones:
Riddle #21: My kick resembles my name – I thrust straight ahead with no chamber, fastest strike you’ll see.
Answer: Front kick
Riddle #22: I whip around in a quick, snapping motion to target the abdomen or ribs.
Answer: Roundhouse kick
Riddle #23: Thrust sideways I strike with the side of my foot turned sideways. Not a roundhouse am I.
Answer: Side kick
Riddle #24: With this kick I spin and bring my heel down like an axe upon my foe’s shoulder or collar.
Answer: Axe kick
Riddle #25: Coming up from behind, I thrust my foot back to surprise my opponent from the rear.
Answer: Back kick
Riddles About Taekwondo Blocks & Stances
Besides kicks and strikes, taekwondo teaches important defensive techniques as well. Test your knowledge with these riddles about blocks and stances:
Riddle #26: Ribs I protect by thrusting my outer forearm – angle forty-five degrees I stay.
Answer: Knifehand block
Riddle #27: Downward strike I block, with arm bent overhead – palm facing out is my pose.
Answer: Rising block
Riddle #28: Striking the middle I block at chest level – weapons are knifehand and palm working as partners.
Answer: Twin vertical block
Riddle #29: Great for defense yet balanced for offense, I spread feet shoulder-width, bend knees out.
Answer: Fighting stance
Riddle #30: Front leg bent, back leg straight – 50/50 weight I distribute for mobility and power both.
Answer: Front stance
Riddles About Taekwondo Uniforms & Equipment
The proper gear contributes important elements to the art. Here are riddles about common taekwondo uniforms and equipment:
Riddle #31: This collarless jacket made of strong canvas or quilted cotton protects the torso.
Answer: Taekwondo uniform top
Riddle #32: Lightweight pants made of cotton or other fabrics allow easy kicking and movement.
Answer: Taekwondo uniform pants
Riddle #33: Hopefully never used, I’m wrapped carefully around fists, beneath gloves for safety.
Answer: Hand wraps
Riddle #34: These cushions protect shins when practicing close combat kicking drills.
Answer: Shin guards
Riddle #35: This woven floor covering provides traction for training barefoot in the dojang.
Answer: Wrestling mat
Riddles About Taekwondo Terminology
Like many martial arts, taekwondo uses Korean terminology for techniques, commands, and other aspects. Solve riddles decoding these special terms:
Riddle #36: I’m the Korean term for school or training hall – come practice taekwondo at me!
Answer: Dojang
Riddle #37: Meaning “begin”, hear your instructor shout me to start a drill or pattern.
Answer: Shi-jak
Riddle #38: No sitting allowed during training – stand at this position of readiness on my command!
Answer: Charyot (attention)
Riddle #39: Class is complete, you are free to leave – this term dismisses you respectfully.
Answer: Goman (end)
Riddle #40: Meaning teacher, I’m respectfully addressed by black belts and masters.
Answer: Sabum-nim
Riddles About Taekwondo Values & Tenets
Beyond physical skills, taekwondo instills a strong mental philosophy and code for life. Solve riddles about key beliefs:
Riddle #41: I represent integrity and honesty expected of every student.
Answer: White belt
Riddle #42: Hard work and perseverance will reap these fruits tasting sweet.
Answer: Black belt skills
Riddle #43: Balance of this and um represents harmony of mind and body.
Answer: Shim (meaning mind-spirit)
Riddle #44: Meaning courtesy and respect towards others always.
Answer: Yeui
Riddle #45: With indomitable this, students overcome obstacles without surrender.
Answer: Spirit
Riddle #46: The ultimate goal representing perfection of character and skills.
Answer: Black belt
Riddles About Taekwondo Competition
Taekwondo competition follows strict rules. Try solving these riddles about Olympic sparring and tournaments:
Riddle #47: Sparring gear, mat, ref, rules – I’m competitive taekwondo training for trophies and medals.
Answer: Sport taekwondo
Riddle #48: Since 2000 at Sydney, I’m the taekwondo competition held every four years.
Answer: Olympic taekwondo
Riddle #49: Not points – I’m sudden death, awarded not for scoring but decisively defeating a foe.
Answer: Knockout (KO)
Riddle #50: Split into 3 rounds I’m the match length – two minutes is too short for me.
Answer: Three rounds of two minutes
Riddle #51: My technology electronically scores kicks and punches on protected vests.
Answer: Electronic body protectors (hogu)
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed testing your taekwondo knowledge with these 59 riddles and their accompanying answers! From the history of this Korean martial art, to gear, techniques, terminology and philosophy – there are many aspects to uncover about this intricate discipline. How many riddles could you successfully solve? Taekwondo offers a lifetime of learning. Hopefully these riddles shed light on this rich traditional art.
