Which Taekwondo Is in the Olympics?

Taekwondo, a dynamic and powerful martial art originating from Korea, has gained international recognition and widespread participation.

With its inclusion in the Olympic Games, Taekwondo has reached new heights of popularity and global exposure.

However, it is essential to understand that not all forms and styles of Taekwondo are represented in the Olympics.

In this article, we will be explaining the exact style of taekwondo that is being represented at the Olympics, and how it differs from other variations practiced around the world.

Is Taekwondo in the Olympics?

Yes, taekwondo is an Olympic sport. It was first introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, and became a full medal sport at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

In taekwondo, athletes compete in a single-elimination tournament. Matches are scored by a referee and two judges, who award points for successful kicks and punches.

The first athlete to score eight points wins the match. If the match is tied after three rounds, the athlete with the most successful kicks and punches in the final round wins.

The next Summer Olympics will be held in Paris in 2024. Taekwondo will be one of the sports contested at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

What Type of Taekwondo Is in the Olympics?

The type of taekwondo that is in the Olympics is called World Taekwondo (WT), also known as Olympic-style taekwondo.

It is the most popular style of taekwondo in the world and is governed by the World Taekwondo (WT).

WT taekwondo is a sport-oriented style that emphasizes fast and precise striking. It is different from traditional taekwondo, which focuses more on self-defense and practical applications.

In the Olympics, taekwondo is a combat sport that is contested by two athletes in the same weight class.

The athletes wear protective gear, including a helmet, chest protector, and shin guards.

They compete in a padded octagonal arena and score points by landing successful kicks and punches to the head and body.

The first athlete to score eight points wins the match. If the match is tied after three rounds, the athlete with the most points wins.

Here are some of the key differences between WT taekwondo and traditional taekwondo:

• Scoring: In WT taekwondo, points are scored by landing successful kicks and punches to the head and body. In traditional taekwondo, points are scored by landing successful strikes to any part of the body.
• Equipment: WT taekwondo athletes wear protective gear, including a helmet, chest protector, and shin guards. Traditional taekwondo athletes do not wear protective gear.
• Rules: WT taekwondo has a more restrictive set of rules than traditional taekwondo. For example, WT taekwondo athletes are not allowed to use certain techniques, such as spinning kicks and throws.
• Focus: WT taekwondo is a sport-oriented style that emphasizes fast and precise striking. Traditional taekwondo is a more self-defense-oriented style that focuses on practical applications.

Taekwondo Poomsae is not currently an official medal event in the Olympic Games. However, it is a popular event at the World Taekwondo Championships and other international competitions.

Poomsae is a series of choreographed movements that are performed without an opponent.

It is a demonstration of the practitioner’s skills and knowledge of taekwondo techniques. Poomsae can be performed solo or in pairs.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not yet decided whether to include Poomsae as an official medal event in the Olympic Games.

There are several reasons for this, including the fact that Poomsae is not a combat sport and that it is not as popular as other taekwondo events, such as sparring.

However, there is a growing movement to include Poomsae as an official medal event in the Olympic Games.

Supporters of Poomsae argue that it is a valuable part of taekwondo culture and that it would be a great way to showcase the sport to a wider audience.

Poomsae may be included as an official medal event in the future. However, there is no guarantee that this will happen.

What Is Olympic-Style Taekwondo?

Olympic-style taekwondo, also known as WT Taekwondo, is a combat sport that is contested by two athletes in the same weight class.

The athletes wear protective gear, including a helmet, chest protector, and shin guards.

They compete in a padded octagonal arena and score points by landing successful kicks and punches to the head and body.

The first athlete to score eight points wins the match. If the match is tied after three rounds, the athlete with the most points wins.

Olympic-style taekwondo is a sport-oriented style that emphasizes fast and precise striking.

It is different from traditional taekwondo, which focuses more on self-defense and practical applications.

Can ITF Taekwondo Compete in the Olympics?

No, ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) Taekwondo does not compete in the Olympics. The Olympic Games only include the Olympic-style Taekwondo, which is governed by the World Taekwondo (WT).

The ITF and WT are two separate and distinct organizations that have different rules, forms, and approaches to Taekwondo.

The ITF was founded in 1966 by General Choi Hong Hi and follows a different set of rules and competition formats compared to WT Taekwondo.

ITF Taekwondo places more emphasis on self-defense techniques, patterns (known as tul), and traditional aspects of the art.

Since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the WT has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the official governing body for Taekwondo in the Olympic Games.

Therefore, only athletes and practitioners who follow the rules and regulations of the WT are eligible to compete in the Olympic Taekwondo events.

How Many Taekwondo Events Are in the Olympics?

There are 8 taekwondo events in the Olympics, 4 for men and 4 for women. The weight classes are:

• Men: -58kg, -68kg, -80kg, +80kg
• Women: -49kg, -57kg, -67kg, +67kg

Each weight class has a single-elimination tournament.

Matches are scored by a referee and two judges, who award points for successful kicks and punches.

The first athlete to score eight points wins the match.

If the match is tied after three rounds, the athlete with the most successful kicks and punches in the final round wins.

The winners of the respective weight categories are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.

When Was Taekwondo Introduced to the Olympics?

Taekwondo at the Summer Olympics made its first appearance as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

The opening ceremony featured a mass demonstration of taekwondo with hundreds of adults and children performing moves in unison.

Taekwondo was again a demonstration sport at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Taekwondo became a full medal sport at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and has been a sport in the Olympic Games since then.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session confirmed Taekwondo’s place on the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 initial sports program on February 3, 2022, marking the eighth consecutive time the sport has been part of the world’s greatest sporting event.