What Is Olympic Taekwondo?

THE COMPETITION

Olympic Tae Kwon Do competition is held on a matted, ten meter by ten meter square area. A match is three rounds, unless there is a win by knock out, disqualification or point spread. The match determined by a point system, with points being awarded for strong, clean techniques to legal target areas. Points are deducted for penalties. Legal techniques are closed hand punches to the body only, and kicking techniques to the head or body. Punches to the head, open hand techniques, knees and elbows are not allowed.

EQUIPMENT

Olympic Tae Kwon Do athletes must wear an official dobok, or uniform into the ring, as well as a belt. All competitors must wear a helmet, gloves, shin and forearm protectors, a groin cup, mouthguard and hogu, or chest protector. The groin cup, forearm and shin guards are to be worn underneath the uniform.

GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE

Tae Kwon Do is held in a single elimination format, with a double repachage, or "loser's bracket" consisting of all the competitors that lost to the two finalists who fight for gold and silver. These competitors compete against each other to determine the bronze medalist.

Read more about Olympic Tae Kwon Do Rules and Scoring.

Read more about Taekwondo and it's origins as a martial art..

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