In tae kwon do olympics why do they hug?

Question

i am watching the tae kwon do olympics right now and i was wondering why after awhile they hug and have to restart the fight?

can u help me?

Answer 1

Because so many women teach sport TKD that hugging has been morphed into the etiquette.  

Answer 2

I guess they're just being nice and respecting one another.

Answer 3

I'm not entirely sure, but i think its because when they 'hug', its like a stalemate, nobody can get a legal move in, so the referee counts and then restarts them.

Answer 4

Although the answers you have received are on the right track I think some are referring to something else,yes T.K.D players do hug out of respect at the and of a match,like most competitor's do from any type of  comp these days-but what i feel you are referring to is what they call a clinch very much the same as boxing,it ties in your opponent from scoreing on you.

Answer 5

The martial arts are based on honor and respect.  Once you attain a certain level of training (different for everyone, and some never find it), you realize what it takes to get to where you are, and for someone else to work just as hard to be right there with you.  So even though you have a job to do, like in the case of the Olympics, or even in MMA events, those that have reached that level of training and have found that, grant the other competitor with a form of respect.

I hope this helps,

JD Olsen

www.keishidojo.com

Answer 6

In TKD sparing, a fighters use of distance between himself and his opponent is key. If you are in close enough to kick an opponent he can also kick you.  As soon as you start your kick you leave yourself vulnerable to a counter kick.  Alot of TKD fighters are counter kickers.  They just wait for the attack, block it or step back and then counter. Good attack kickers will use a combination kick because the first kick rarely scores the point and it is usually the second or third kick in the combination that scores the point.  But to the point, when a fighter begins his attach he may slide/step toward his opponent, throw the combination and then step up close enough to "hug" or clinch his opponent.  Being that close to the opponent takes the opponents ability to counter away since it is tough to kick someone who is hugging you.  When I spar and i know i am up on points I will hug my opponent alot because i am tired and can not defend myself well and I just want to burn time.  However if you are loosing and some keeps doing that alot there are ways to jump back away from your opponent and gain enough distance to throw a kick.

Answer 7

It shows respect between them their opponents and their team mates