A storing South Korean team finished as winners at the end of the three-day World Taekwondo (pronounced: Dy-kwon-do) Championships held in Saould's Central Taekwondo Gymnasium from 25th-27th May.

It was the Koreans who first invented the sport two thousand years ago, and few of the thousands of spectators were surprised when South Korea took first places in the 'All Fighter', lightweight and heavyweight classes.

The sport - involving blocking and hitting with the hands and feet - has achieved great popularity outside Korea in recent years. The number of adherents to the principles of Taekwondo has increased to 443,000 - half that number in the United States - and it was this active international interest that led to last weekend's World Championships.

Fifteen nations competed in the elimination competition, a total of more than 140 Taekwondo amateurs. Each country entered a team of six. Because of its size, the United States entered three teams.

SYNOPSIS: At Saoul's Central Gymnasium in South Korea on Sunday, the First World Taekwondo Championships swung into its third and last day with a bout between Roger Tham of Singapore and Brunei's Kenneth Wang .....

Them did most to the attacking, with a good stance -- all important in Taekwondo -- and some rapid footwork. Wong blocked some blows neatly, but in the last of the three two-minute rounds, couldn't avoid final defeat.

The ancient aport of Taekwondo was first developed over two thousand years ago by the Koreans -- who claim that it bears no relation to the apparently similar art of karate.

Now Taekwondo is practised by nearly half-a-million amateurs all over the world. This is about between United States expert Raymond Sell and the darker-haired Marrock of West Germany. Final winner Sell was drawn from the two-hundred-thousand strong body of American Taekwondo fighters.

Here is South Korean Kim Jung-Tae in action against Lacsamans of the Philippines.

One-hundred and forty amateurs from fifteen actions competed in the Championships, with each country sending a team of six. In the end it was the South Korean founders of the sport that triumphed, coming first in all three weight-classes. The United States was second and Mexico third.