What are the rules for Tae Kwon Do in the Olympics games?

Answer 1

The rules for Olympic Taekwondo competition are constantly changing and being modified. They are established by the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) in Seoul, South Korea, the only Taekwondo International Federation recognized by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). The most recent update of the rules for Taekwondo competition can be viewed at the link provided below.

The general idea is that two competitors of the same weight division and gender enter the ring (usually 8meter x 8meter contest area), wearing approved safety gear (head guard, mouth guard, chest protector, forearm guard/fist glove, shin guard/foot boot, and groin protector), and stand on the appropriate mark for bowing in and start of the match. One competitor wears the color Blue (Chung), and the other Red (Hong). Each competitor may have one certified coach who sits in a chair just outside the competition area, and may coach during the match and in between rounds provided they do not stand up during the match, nor interfere with the progress of the match.

Most Adult Black Belt matches are 3, three minute rounds with a one minute rest period between rounds. During the match, competitors may strike with legal techniques to permitted targets (kick with foot below the ankle to torso above the waist, excluding spine, or face above collar bone in front of ears, and punch with fore-fist to torso only). In order to be awarded a point, techniques must attack a valid scoring area with sufficient power of a kick or punch to the body to cause a trembling shock, or with sufficient control of a kick to the head, although knock-outs are permitted.

Points are awarded either by corner judge writing on score paper, or by judge's electronic buttons wired to a computer, or electronic sensors in the protective gear. The value of the points are currently: Punch to the torso = 1 point; kick to the torso = 2 points; turning kick to the torso = 3 points; turning kick to the head = 4 points. A fully or partially blocked technique is not awarded a point. Any technique not clearly visible to the majority of judges might not be scored. Any point earned in connection with a violation of the rules must be waived off as invalid by the center referee, and removed from the score. Legitimately earned points are usually displayed on a computer screen at the score keeper's desk, or on a large scoreboard near the ring.

Penalties for violation of the rules are assessed by the center referee only, and are called Kyeong-go ("warning" for minor violation), and Gamjeom ("deduction" for major violation). Two Kyeong-go = 1 full point deduction off final score (an odd Kyeong-go is not counted). Each Gamjeom = 1 full point deduction. A total of three deductions of any combination of Kyeong-go or Gamjeom during a match will result in loss of the match on penalties. Referee may also end the match based on violations without issuing Gamjeom and announce a winner with the consensus of a majority of the judges.

Kyeong-go (warnings) are issued by the center referee suspending the match, and pointing to the offender with a hand gesture to indicate the appropriate violation. The violation is recorded at the score keeper's desk in that ring, then the match continues.

Gamjeom (deductions) are issued by the center referee suspending the match and returning the contestants to their original starting positions, then pointing to the offender with a hand gesture for the appropriate violation, followed by the index finger raised above the head to signal a one point deduction.

If the match ends without three violations occurring, or a knockout, injury or withdrawal, the winner is determined by the contestant with the most points. In the case of a tie, the judges confer, and award the winner by "Referee's Decision" based on specific criteria of skill displayed during the match.

Special circumstances may arise if there is an injury that prevents a contestant from continuing. If the injury was caused by an illegal technique, then the injured contestant is declared the winner. If the injury was caused by a legal technique, then the attacker is declared the winner. However, if it is determined by the officials (and/or tournament doctor) that the injured contestant is able to continue, but merely refuses to resume the match, then the attacking contestant is declared the winner by withdrawal of the injured opponent.

Match decisions may be contested by an official protest filed by the certified coach of a contestant, however neither contestant nor coach may argue with the officials, nor discuss the match results with judges outside of an official protest governed by the arbitration board, and coaches may lose their coaching privileges for violations of any rule. Officials are also restricted from discussing match results with anyone other than tournament officials, and may lose their referee license for violations.