:: Henderson Taekwondo ::

Tae Kwon Do Sparring Competition

Kyorugi

Taekwondo competition typically involves sparring, breaking, patterns, and/or self-defense. However, in Olympic taekwondo competition, only sparring (Kyorugi) is contested; and in Olympic sparring the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) competition rules are used. These rules are available at the WTF website.

Under WTF and Olympic rules, sparring is a full-contact event and takes place between two competitors in an area measuring 10 meters square. Each match or bout consists of three non-stop rounds of contact with rest between rounds. Junior fighters fight in 2-minute rounds with a 30-second break, while senior fighters fight in 3-minute rounds with 30-second breaks. Points are awarded for permitted, accurate, and powerful techniques to the legal scoring areas; light contact to a scoring area does not score any points. A kick or punch that makes contact with the opponent's hogu (a trunk protector that functions as a scoring target) scores one point; a kick to the head scores two points. Punches to the head are not allowed. If a competitor is knocked down by a scoring technique and the referee counts, then an additional point is awarded to the opponent.

At the end of three rounds, the competitor with the most points wins the match. If, during the match, one competitor gains a 7-point lead over the other, or if one competitor reaches a total of 12 points, then that competitor is immediately declared the winner and the match ends. In the event of a tie at the end of three rounds, a fourth "sudden death" overtime round will be held to determine the winner, after a 30-second rest period.

Safety measures taken by STF

Here are some of the measures taken by the STF to ensure the safety of its participants

· All coaches and players must be conversant with the competition rules and regulations.

· For juniors and young juniors, head kicks are strictly not allowed.

· Players can only compete in their respective belt and weight categories.

· Sparing competition is only for Red, Poom and Black belts. There is no sparring for Blue belt and lower grades.

· Red belt holders are allowed to compete in the category for only two years.

· Players must declare if they have other martial arts qualifications.

· Safety equipment including head gear, body protector, mouth piece, groin guard, shin and forearm guards and gloves are mandatory.

· Sparring must be conducted on WTF-approved mats.

· All referees must be trained and qualified by the STF or the WTF.

· Qualified medical staff must be present throughout the competition.

· An ambulance must be on standby at all times.