🏛️Official — World Taekwondo
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Combat Sports
1 players
both
glove, mask
10 essential rules
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that emerged in the mid-20th century, drawing on indigenous Korean kicking traditions and various martial arts influences. The name translates roughly as "the way of the foot and fist" — tae (foot), kwon (fist), do (way or discipline). General Choi Hong-hi is cre...
Competitors wear a WT-approved dobok (uniform). The dobok consists of a V-neck pullover top and elastic-waist pants, both made of lightweight, breathable fabric.
Key Fact: Doboks must be clean, free of tears and properly fitted - neither too loose nor tight.
The trunk protector (hogu) is the primary scoring target for body techniques. In WT-sanctioned events, electronic trunk protectors integrated into the PSS are mandatory.
The electronic head protector is worn over the head and covers the scoring areas above the collarbone. Since the 2020 rule cycle, WT has mandated electronic head protectors with embedded sensors at all major competitions, replacing the previous sy...
Competitors wear electronic sensing socks (e-foot protectors) that contain transmitters corresponding to the PSS. Only strikes delivered by the portion of the foot below the ankle bone (instep, ball of foot, sole) register on the electronic system.
All protective equipment must be WT-approved and in serviceable condition. The referee may instruct a competitor to replace damaged or non-compliant equipment before the match continues.
Competition takes place on a regulation octagonal mat measuring 8 m × 8 m (26.2 ft × 26.2 ft). The octagonal shape is created by cutting the corners of the square mat area at 45-degree angles.
Competition takes place on a regulation octagonal mat.
The boundary line of the competition area is clearly marked in a contrasting color. Beyond the boundary, a safety zone of at least 2 m (6.6 ft) extends on all sides, also covered by mat material.
Two starting positions are marked on the mat: one for the blue (chung) competitor and one for the red (hong) competitor, each approximately 4 m from the center and 1 m apart. The referee's position is marked at the center edge of the mat.
Bow sincerely to your opponent, not just perfunctorily
While WT rules require a bow before and after a match, the depth, eye contact, and genuine sincerity of the bow carry deep cultural weight rooted in Korean martial arts tradition. A quick, dismissive nod is widely seen as disrespectful regardless of its technical compliance with the written requirement.
Rooted in Confucian values embedded in the sport's founding ethos; applies equally in training and competition.
No excessive celebration after scoring or winning
Taekwondo's five tenets—especially self-control and integrity—create a strong cultural expectation of humility in victory. Taunting, prolonged fist-pumping, or theatrical celebrations are broadly condemned as violations of the art's spirit, even when not formally penalized by referees.
Scrutinized at multiple Olympics; notable incidents drew public criticism from coaches, officials, and fellow athletes.
Do not 'gamjeom fish' — baiting fouls is dishonorable
Provoking an opponent into a penalty (gamjeom) through exaggerated reactions, feigned injury, or manufactured situations rather than winning through technique is widely condemned as contrary to the martial arts ethic of honest competition. A single gamjeom can decide a close match, making the temptation real at elite level.
More prevalent since the electronic scoring era, where a point margin makes gamjeom more decisive.
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