Taekwondo is a martial art that has been included in the Summer Olympic Games since 2000. Its name, translated from Korean, means "the path of punches and kicks." General Choi Hong Hee is considered the founder of this sport.
Taekwondo competitions are held in the following types: power breaking of objects, special equipment, sparring and technical complexes.
Power breaking of objects shows how great the force that the athlete puts into the blows being performed. This demonstration requires a machine of a specific design. Boards are fixed in it, which the taekwondo fighter must break with his hand or foot. With each successful attempt, the number of boards in the machine increases.
As a result of the implementation of the special equipment program, the effectiveness of the attack of the athletes can be determined. The competitor must break the board, which is at a high height, in a jump. The correctness of the strike and the ability to land on the feet are assessed.
Taekwondo fighters can demonstrate different defensive and attacking movements by performing technical complexes. Athletes imitate a duel with an opponent.
During sparring, athletes put their skills into practice. Roughness or uncontrollable strikes, as well as painful techniques are prohibited here.
Participants in taekwondo competitions must wear protection: feet, gloves and special clothing. Feet refers to athletic shoes that prevent injury to the instep. The rigidity of the contact decreases in them. The groin, forearm, head and lower leg areas must also be reliably protected, for example, with bandages and helmets, because taekwondo is a contact sport.
Competitions are held on an area of 12 m, which consists of a mat with an elastic covering. The mat is raised above the floor onto a platform 1 m high. The fight itself takes place in the central blue square of this platform. The rest of the area is painted red. The athlete's stepping into it may be the reason for the termination of the fight at the discretion of the referee.
The competition is held in accordance with 4 weight categories of athletes. For men, these are groups of up to 58, up to 68, up to 80 and more than 80 kg, and for women the following boundaries are determined: up to 49, up to 57, up to 67, over 67 kg.
