In Tae Kwon Do......?

Question

as I saw in the olympics, is it usual in a Tae kwon Do match for the participants to cheer (what they think is) a winning move/technique, whilst they are still doing it?

In Karate matches you have to show Zan-shin (awareness/control) before during AND AFTER the technique is delivered.

I was constantly frustrated to see TKD guys cheering themselves whilst still having legs in the air, punches sticking out and while still in the opponents firing range.

Get in, score, get out, the fight ain't finished till the ref says YAME! or whatever the TKD/korean equivalent is.

Answer 1

im a 3rd degree in tkd and i really hate the tae kwon do olympics!!! it wasent fair !!! they dicided who they wnated to win!1

Answer 2

As a Taekwondo practitioner, this also disturbs me.  What they are doing is trying to draw attention to what they believe is a scoring technique.  I think it sucks.  Just spar and let the judges make the calls.  Sometimes we suck at it (which was evident at the Games), but generally, the judges do get it right!

Technically, you have to be in control after a technique in TKD as well.  In fact, you're not suppose to be awarded points if you fall after delivering a kick, but it is constantly awarded.

Please, please, PLEASE just realize one thing, though, Olympic TKD is NOT traditional Taekwondo!!!

Answer 3

it's probably because tkd is a more flashy martial arts.  Personally if i wanted to excell in kicks i'd choose muay tai over tkd any day.  So it's probably a cheer just for show and flashyness, well in my opinion any ways.  

To me any martial art that can be taken so lightly is more so a competition of show rather than skill.

Answer 4

Punches are allowed to the body, but they are rarely counted as points.  In order for a punch to count, the judge must see a visible physical change in the opponents position or forward momentum.  Also, 3 of 4 judges must deem it a point.

The judging in TKD is very difficult.  That is why the players pump their fist when they think they scored a point, they are trying to urge the judges to press the button for a point.  It is totally legal for a player to attack their opponent while they are fist pumping.  It is technically a 2 minute continuous action round.  I've seen guys celebrating and get knocked out.  It really needs to stop.

I love TKD, but if the judging and scoring controversy doesnt get resolved, it's days as an Olympic sport will come to end soon.

James