1st Kup – Black Tag

The final Kup grade before Black Belt. Students must demonstrate composure, discipline, and technical precision across all areas of Taekwon‑Do. This level requires full understanding of previous patterns, strong self-defence, and powerful execution in sparring and breaking.

Grading Requirements

• Patterns: Choong-Moo – 30 movements
and Hwa-Rang – 29 movements
• Sparring:
• Free Sparring (Jayu Matsogi)
• One-Step Sparring (Ilbo Matsogi)
• Foot Sparring
• Breaking Techniques (if aged 18+):
• Hand Technique (choice): One common brick – Punch, Knifehand, or Stamping Kick (Cha Bapgi) (women)
• Kicks: Reverse Turning Kick (Bandae Dollyo Chagi) and Side piercing kick (Yopcha Jirugi) – both legs
• Students must name each technique and identify the attacking tool
• If under 18: demonstrate correct distance, name technique, and identify attacking tool
• Theory Questions
• Minimum Time Since Last Grading: 6 months

Pattern – Choong-Moo (30 movements)

Choong-Moo: Named after the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson), which was the precursor to the present-day submarine. The pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolise his regrettable death, having no chance to show his full potential due to the restraints of his loyalty to the king.

New Techniques Introduced

• X-Stance – Kyocha Sogi
• Backfist Side Strike – Dung Joomuk Yop Taerigi
• Reverse Knifehand Middle Strike – Sonkal Dung Kaunde Taerigi
• High Reverse Knifehand Strike – Nopunde Sonkal Dung Taerigi
• Pressing Block – Noollyo Makgi

Korean Terminology

• Choong-Moo – Pattern Name
• Ilbo Matsogi – One-Step Sparring
• Jayu Matsogi – Free Sparring
• Hosin Sul – Self-Defence
• Bandae Dollyo Chagi – Reverse Turning Kick
• Dung Joomuk Yop Taerigi – Backfist Side Strike
• Sonkal Dung Kaunde Taerigi – Reverse Knifehand Middle Strike
• Nopunde Sonkal Dung Taerigi – High Reverse Knifehand Strike
• Kyocha Sogi – X-Stance
• Noollyo Makgi – Pressing Block