> Know Your Game : Taekwondo

Taekwondo, which has its origins in Korea, became an event in the Asian Games during the 10th Asian Games in 1986 in Seoul, Korea.

The term is made up of three parts: tae (the foot), kwon (the fist) and do (the way) – the way of foot and fist.

Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art, which means ‘the way of kicking and striking’.

In taekwondo, the hands and feet are used to overcome an opponent, but the trademark of the sport is its combination of kick movements. Its origins are not well known but three possibilities are often described. One traces taekwondo to Korea's three-kingdom era (ca 50 BC) when Silla Dynasty warriors, the Hwarang, began to develop a martial art, tae kyon (foot-hand).

Others feel that taekwondo began as a form of Chinese boxing, which was established at the Shaolin Temple in 520 BC by Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. A third possibility is that taekwondo developed from Japanese or Okinawan karate.

It is now felt that taekwondo probably developed from other Asian martial arts combined with traditional Korean techniques of kickboxing.

Various Korean forms of martial arts have existed but in the early 20th century, taekwondo became the dominant form. In 1955, a group of Korean martial arts leaders chose taekwondo as the definitive Korean martial art in an attempt to promote its development internationally. In 1973, the Korean government recognised the World Taekwondo Federation (***) as the legitimate governing body of the sport, and the first World Championships were held in that year.

Taekwondo was featured on the programme of the 1988 and 1992 Olympics as a demonstration sport. At the 103rd IOC Session, held in Paris in 1994, taekwondo became an official medal sport beginning with the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. During those Games, 103 athletes – 55 men and 48 women – from 51countries took part in the taekwondo competition.

The Olympic competition includes four weight classes each for men and women, half the number used in World Championships. It involves a single-elimination tournament to decide the gold and silver medals.

All competitors defeated by the two finalists get another chance to compete for the bronze, while the two losing semi-finalists move directly into the semi-finals of the second round. All others who lost to the two finalists compete in a single elimination within their original pools, and two winners emerge to fill the remaining semi-final spots. Each pool’s winner then faces the losing semi-finalist from the opposite pool, and the two winners compete for the bronze.

Contests are scored by awarding a point for each legitimate blow and deducting a point for each penalty.

Rules and Regulations - Competition Rules:
The taekwondo competition shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of the World Taekwondo Federation (***) in force. In case of a disagreement in the interpretation of the Rules, the English text shall prevail. General matters shall be resolved in accordance with the OCA Constitution and Rules. Technical matters shall be resolved in accordance with the *** Rules.

Referees: Referees must hold an International Referee Certificate registered by the ***.