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| World Taekwondo Federation President Choue Chung-won, second row second from right, watches a taekwondo match along with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, left of Choue, during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics at Carioca Arena 3, Aug. 17. / Yonhap |
WTF chief vows to make it more exciting in Tokyo games
By Baek Byung-yeul
Since taekwondo became an Olympic sport at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the combat sport has fought to dispel some concerns that it may be too boring to watch.
The taekwondo governing body has tried to bring as many changes as they could, embracing more technology and trimming the match rules.
The biggest change at the 2016 Rio Olympics was the head gear. The wireless electronic scoring system was first introduced four years ago at the London Olympics as taekwondo fighters carried their impact sensors on their bodies and socks. To increase precision, athletes in Rio wore protective head gear equipped with electric sensors that score kicks to the head. A video replay system was introduced as well to ensure greater transparency. The fighters were also encouraged to be engaged in action as they competed on an octagon-shaped mat instead of competing on the previous square-shaped mat.
Choue Chung-won, president of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), has made positive reviews after the Rio Olympics.
"The taekwondo competition here in Rio has been a festival of fighting delivered to the highest technical standard. It's been a fantastic four days for taekwondo. The Olympic Games are the pinnacle for our athletes and their commitment and passion has been reflected in some of the most exciting and unpredictable matches we have ever seen," Choue said in a statement, Tuesday.
Choue also said the taekwondo event displayed the universal nature of the sport.
"We have witnessed some major upsets, some dramatic, last-second victories ― even last half-second victories ― and some first-time Olympic medalists; but throughout, whether in victory or defeat, we have seen elite sport played out in the true spirit of friendship, respect and fair play," Choue said.
During the four-day competition, a total of 126 taekwondo fighters from 62 countries competed. Six countries shared the eight gold medals available and 14 countries won silver or bronze.
Taekwondo also provided an abundance of exciting and historic moments at the Rio Olympics ― Cheick Sallah Junior Cisse of Ivory Coast had earned the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal after winning in the men's 80 kg class category; Ahmad Abughaush of Jordan presented his country's first-ever Olympic medal after clinching gold in the men's 68 kg category; and Iran celebrated its first female Olympic medalist when Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin won a bronze in the women's 57 kg category.
Choue also hinted that the federation will add more exciting changes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, saying he will not be "complacent" upon the positive responses in Rio.
"As a federation, we cannot be complacent. We must build on the momentum we have generated here in Rio, just as we did after London 2012, as we aim to realize our full global potential. We must always be looking to move forward and find ways of improving and developing our sport for the benefit of our athletes and our fans.
"Following the Games, the WTF technical committee will analyze the competition and identify and implement changes to ensure our sport is the very best it can be," Choue said.
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