27/10/2025
ITTAF Official Manifesto
Presided over by Grand Master Mario Pons – IX Dan – ITTAF President
Since the creation of ITTAF, our mission has been clear and unwavering: to preserve, protect and spread the true spirit of Traditional Taekwon-Do, as conceived by General Choi Hong Hi, founder of the art.
In a world where the proliferation of federations has generated confusion about the origin and authenticity of Taekwon-Do, ITTAF keeps General Choi's lineage alive. The President of ITTAF, Grand Master Mario Pons, holder of the ninth dan awarded by Grand Master Park Jong Soo, guarantees that every teaching, every grade and every examination carried out under ITTAF respects the original generational transmission, ensuring that the founder's legacy reaches every practitioner anywhere in the world intact.
Since its early years, ITTAF has taken on 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 styles in order 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 the Mind and Body, an art that develops discipline, respect and humanity. ITTAF is committed to honouring this principle, offering each practitioner a space to learn, grow and find the true essence of the art, preserving the philosophy and ethics that General Choi left us.
Our vision is to unite practitioners under 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 grade, each instructor and each practice represents 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 lineage, so that together we can build a future where Taekwon-Do is not only a recognised martial art, but a true and eternal Way of Life.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)