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Tae kwondo in the Olympics - punching?

671 views 10 replies 3 participants last post by  bigdog89 
#1 ·
I have to admit my complete ignornce to this martial arts discipline. However having just watched a fight in the olympics I have a question to ask.
err is there any punching in Taekwondo, since both fighters spent the entire fight with hands at waist and when they got in close the only hand contact was a gentle flat hand push to create room.
Not a criticism but i would have thought a martial art that translates as "the way of hand and foot" would involve a bit of punching, and they do wear padded gloves.
Just wondering if someone could help me understand if there is no punching or if just watched a particuarly odd match, or is it specific rules for the olympics. Cos on the evidence of the bout i just watched they might as well have the great cornish sport of shin kicking in the olympics as well. cheers
 
#2 ·
There are two types of Taekwondo, WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) and ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) WTF is the one used in the Olympic games....

You can punch to the body where the protector is, gets you one point, a kick to the protector gets you 1 point. A kick to the head gets you 2 points, You cannot punch to the head... These are the "WTF" rules

In ITF competition you can punch to the face aswell as more stuff.

So yeah the WTF version is limited.
 
#4 ·
Nope, they just started EARLIER today (20th) Still plenty more to go.
 
#8 ·
Sorry dude I couldn't help you there, I live in Britain where we have an interactive service for the Olympics. You don't have anything like that over there?
 
#10 ·
Well it's on early in the morning here in Britain like 3am, so I don't know what that would be for you.
 
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