Picture this: two athletes in white uniforms and colorful protective gear face off on an octagonal mat. Suddenly, one leaps into the air, spins, and lands a powerful kick to their opponent’s headgear, scoring big points in a flash of speed and precision. This is the electrifying world of Taekwondo, a martial art known for its dynamic and acrobatic kicks. But there’s more to this sport than just fancy footwork. It’s a discipline steeped in Korean history, a test of physical and mental strength, and one of the most exciting combat sports in the Olympic Games. Get ready to learn everything you need to know to watch and appreciate this incredible sport, from its basic rules and scoring to the gear that keeps athletes safe and the thrilling moments that make it a fan favorite.
Sport Basics
Taekwondo, which translates to “the way of the foot and fist,” is a Korean martial art and combat sport. The main goal is to score points by landing powerful and accurate kicks and punches on an opponent’s torso and head. Its origins trace back over 2,000 years to ancient Korean martial arts like Taekkyon and Subak (sportsfoundation.org). After World War II, various Korean martial arts schools, known as kwans, unified their styles, and in 1955, the name “Taekwondo” was chosen to represent this unified art. It grew in popularity and made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, becoming an official medal sport at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (sportsfoundation.org). Today, it is practiced by millions of people in over 200 countries.
Equipment & Arena
Taekwondo athletes, or taekwondoin, compete on an octagonal mat that is 8 meters (about 26 feet) in diameter—roughly the length of a large moving truck (olympics.com). They wear a white uniform called a dobok, which is tied with a colored belt indicating their rank. Beginners start with a white belt and progress through various colors to black, which has nine further degrees or dan.
To keep athletes safe, they wear a significant amount of protective gear. This includes a head protector, a trunk protector (called a hogu), a groin guard, forearm and shin guards, gloves, and a mouth guard. What’s really cool is that the head and trunk protectors, as well as special “sensing socks,” are electronic and automatically register the force of impacts to help with scoring (nbcolympics.com).
Rules Made Simple
How to Play
An Olympic Taekwondo match is a contest between two competitors in the same weight class. The objective is to outscore the opponent by landing legitimate kicks and punches on their scoring zones—the trunk and the head. At the beginning of the match, the referee calls out “cha-ryeot” (attention) and “kyeong-rye” (bow), and the competitors bow to each other. The referee then says “joon-bi” (ready) and “shi-jak” (start) to begin the fight (nbcolympics.com).
Scoring
The scoring in Taekwondo is straightforward and rewards more difficult techniques with more points. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 1 point for a valid punch to the trunk protector.
- 2 points for a valid kick to the trunk protector.
- 3 points for a valid kick to the head.
- 4 points for a valid turning kick to the trunk protector.
- 5 points for a valid turning kick to the head.
An electronic Protector and Scoring System (PSS) is used to automatically record valid points, but for turning kicks, at least two of the three judges must also register the turn for the extra points to be awarded (nbcolympics.com).
Key Rules
While the goal is to strike your opponent, there are some important rules to follow. Punching to the face is not allowed. Attacks below the waist are also illegal. Athletes are not allowed to grab, hold, or push their opponent. Other prohibited actions include crossing the boundary line with both feet, falling to the ground, or avoiding the match. Breaking these rules results in a “gam-jeom,” which is a penalty that gives one point to the opponent (olympics.com).
Game Format
An Olympic Taekwondo match follows a best-of-three-rounds format. Each round lasts two minutes, with a one-minute rest period in between. To win the match, an athlete must win two rounds. The score resets to zero at the start of each round, making every round a fresh battle. If a round is tied, the winner is determined by who scored with more advanced techniques, such as a turning kick. If it’s still tied, the judges decide the winner based on who was more aggressive (nbcolympics.com). A match can also end early if one athlete is knocked out or if there is a 20-point gap between the competitors.
Essential Terms
- Dobok: The white uniform worn by Taekwondo practitioners.
- Dojang: The training hall or school where Taekwondo is practiced.
- Hogu: The protective chest protector worn by competitors.
- Kyorugi: The sparring or competition aspect of Taekwondo.
- Poomsae: A defined pattern of defense-and-attack motions practiced in Taekwondo.
- Charyeot: The command to come to attention.
- Kyeong-rye: The command to bow.
- Shijak: The command to begin the match.
- Ap Chagi: A front kick.
- Dollyo Chagi: A turning or roundhouse kick, one of the most common kicks in Taekwondo.
Why It’s Exciting
Taekwondo at the Olympics is a must-watch because it combines incredible athleticism with nail-biting suspense. The sight of an athlete launching into a spinning hook kick that lands just right is a “wow” moment that can change the course of a match in an instant. The best-of-three format means there is constant pressure and no room for complacency; an athlete can lose the first round and still come back to win the match.
The sport is also full of dramatic moments and underdog stories. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, athletes from Côte d’Ivoire and Jordan won their countries’ first-ever Olympic gold medals in Taekwondo, showing just how global and unpredictable the sport has become (olympics.com). These are the moments that make the Olympics so special, when an athlete can make history and inspire a nation.
Conclusion
Taekwondo is more than just a martial art; it’s a thrilling Olympic sport that blends ancient tradition with modern, high-tech competition. With its lightning-fast kicks, strategic gameplay, and potential for dramatic upsets, it’s a captivating sport to watch. The next time you’re watching the Olympics, be sure to tune in to Taekwondo. You’ll have a new appreciation for the skill, discipline, and courage of these amazing athletes.