Kumdo, the art of Sword, and of all martial arts, is not the perfection of a physical technique but the advancement of body, mind and soul. A mind that is able to react to anything it confronts, intuitively, fearlessly, and without hesitation, regardless of the situation. One cannot master the art of Kumdo without the pure and unadulterated state of mind and soul. The spiritual maturity, inner strength, calmness of the soul, and pure heart combined with strength and speed is the “ki-kum-chae” (essence) of Kumdo.
Kumdo is the sport of korean fencing, which has evolved from the traditional-sword arts to its current form. The Kumdo practices with a bamboo sword called a 'jook do', the goal is to score strikes in designated areas on the opponent’s body (the waist area, top of head, wrist, and the neck). A beginner in Kumdo will spend much time practicing and developing strong basic movements before wearing body protector called 'hogu' for practicing with an exercising partner.
First impressions of watching a Kumdo match could be that it is aggressive, loud and of course, being a full-contact martial art, it provides a good cardiovascular workout, and improve physical fitness, balance and flexibility. Moreover, practitioners of the art display high levels of skill and concentration, while encompassing a freedom of movement, co-ordination, grace and agility that any dance choreographer would appreciate.