Translating to "the art of kicking and punching," taekwondo is a martial art that started during the Three Kingdoms Period of ancient Korea when troops from the Silla Dynasty started to create a style of fighting called "foot-hand".
In Korea, taekwondo became the most well-liked martial art in the early 1900s. The World Taekwondo Federation was established in 1973 as the sport developed internationally. Seoul hosted the first-ever taekwondo world championships that year.
History of Taekwondo
Taekwondo made its official start as an Olympic sport in 1988 in Seoul, where it was competed as a demonstration sport. It did not make a place on the Olympic schedule in Atlanta in 1996, but it did return as a demonstration sport in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
However, taekwondo made a comeback four years later at the Sydney 2000 Games, where both men's and women's competitions were held, as a full medal sport. Since then, taekwondo has been included in the Olympic schedule.
Rules of Taekwondo
- In Taekwondo, the goal is for the student to hit and kick their opponent without getting struck in return. This martial art is known for its rapid succession of kicking and hitting techniques.
- On an octagonal mat, fights take place over three rounds of two minutes each.
- Points are given according to how hard the techniques are applied; for example, a kick to the head gets more points than punches and kicks to the trunk.
- Additional points are awarded for spinning kicks as well. Athletes may receive penalties for a variety of actions.
Taekwondo Olympic Medals
Ten taekwondo medals three gold, two silver, and five bronze have been won by the United States, placing the nation third overall in terms of total medals and gold medals.
Three taekwondo medals apiece are shared by four athletes:
- United States Steven Lopez: two gold, one bronze
- Iran's Hadi Saei: two gold, one bronze
- South Korean Hwang Kyung-Seon: 2 gold, 1 bronze
- Mexico's Maria Espinoza: 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze
Schedule for Taekwondo
Wednesday 07 August
- Women 49kg Round of 16
- Men 58kg Round of 16
Thursday 08 August
- Men 68kg Round of 16
- Women 57kg Round of 16
Friday 09 August
- Women 67kg Round of 16
- Men 80kg Round of 16
Saturday 10 August
- Men +80kg Round of 16
- Women +67kg Round of 16
Styles and Organizations
Taekwondo has several main styles in addition to a few specific ones. The majority of styles have a federation or managing body that develops them. The following are often the main technical differences between taekwondo styles and organizations:
- The patterns that each style practices, known as they are formal sequences of movements are specified and show mastery of technique, posture, and placement variations in the sparring regulations for competition.
- Philosophy of martial arts.