Originating on the Korean Peninsula, taekwondo is a national sport in South Korea and one of the most-practiced martial arts in the world with estimates of more than 80 million practitioners globally. After being a demonstration sport at both the Seoul Games in 1988 and the Barcelona Games in 1992, the sport was added to the Olympic program at the 2000 Sydney Games.
The athletes fight on an octagon-shaped mat for three two-minute rounds. Athletes accumulate points by kicking and punching their opponent in the head or torso. They can also win by knocking out their opponent. Points are based on the difficulty of the kicks and punches the athletes use, with a spinning kick to the head scoring the highest. Although there is automatic scoring of blows to the head and torso through sensors in the protective equipment, judges award additional points for spinning moves.
New this year, video refereeing will be introduced, giving the referees a 360-degree view of the match.
Taekwondo will be held from July 24 to 27.
Venue and access information
Taekwondo will take place in Makuhari Messe Hall A in Chiba Prefecture. The venue has a capacity of 10,000 and is five minutes from Kaihinmakuhari Station on the Keiyo Line.
