The 2024 Olympic Games is well underway and taekwondo is one of the many sports that you might tune in to.

As the Olympic Games have such a range of different sports, including some that aren’t usually widely televised, you might find yourself watching a sport you don’t fully understand.

While you can sometimes start to pick up the rules as you watch, having some background knowledge beforehand is often useful.

To help you out, we’ve broken down some key questions on taekwondo and how the sport works in the Olympic Games.

How will Olympic taekwondo work at Paris 2024?

From Jade Jones to Lutalo Muhammed, Team GB has been a powerhouse in the sport since its official introduction into the Olympic calendar in 2000.

At Paris 2024, the Grand Palais will provide a stunning stage which will take place from 7 to 10 August.

What is taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art dating back more than 2,000 years, though the modern format we know today was established in 1955.

The combat sport combines self-defence with dynamic movement and has been part of the official Olympic programme since 2000.

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What are the rules of taekwondo?

Two fighters who must be of the same weight category enter an octagonal-shaped competition area where the objective is to score points by landing kicks and blows on their opponent’s torso or head.

Athletes can win by knockout but typically whoever scores the most points after three rounds wins the match.

What are the different Olympic taekwondo weight classes?

There are four Olympic taekwondo weight classes:

  • Flyweight M -58kg F -49kg
  • Featherweight M -68kg F -57kg
  • Middleweight M -80kg F -67kg
  • Heavyweight M 80kg+ F 67kg+

How does the points-scoring system work?

Points are awarded for technique when landing punching blows with additional points awarded for turning kicks.

Points are determined by using an electronic scoring system installed in the head or trunk protectors, known as the Protector and Scoring Systems (PSS), to help judges who use a manual scoring device.

Points are awarded by judges using manual scoring devices based on the PSS.

  • One point for a valid punch to the trunk protector.
  • Two Points for a valid kick to the trunk protector.
  • Four points for a valid turning kick to the trunk protector.
  • Three points for a valid kick to the head.
  • Five points for a valid turning kick to the head.
  • One point is awarded for every penalty given against the opponent.

How long does a taekwondo match last?

All matches last over three rounds of two minutes each, with a one-minute break between rounds.

What is a foul in taekwondo?

A penalty in taekwondo is known as a gam-jeom which is declared when any competitor punches the face or kicks below the waist.

Athletes are also handed a penalty if they block or kick an opponent’s leg or have their leg in the air for more than three seconds to impede their opponent.

Competitors can be penalised for crossing the boundary line with both feet, falling to the ground or contributing to any match delay as well as pushing or grabbing opponents.

If an athlete receives 10 penalties in a match, they can lose to their opponent by the referee’s punitive declaration (PUN).

What is the Olympic competition format for taekwondo?

For the Olympic competition, there is a single elimination tournament for each of the weight categories.

The winner of the tournament final will receive the gold medal, and the loser will receive the silver medal while a repechage competition will occur for the bronze medal contest.

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Why are there two bronze medals in taekwondo?

Anyone who has lost to a finalist in the single elimination competition enters the repechage.

The reasoning is that any one of the losing fighters might have been the third-best fighter, had they come up against either of the top two.

In the repechage, the losers of the semi-finals during the elimination phase will be seeded and other losers will advance to the repechage unseeded.

The two finalists of the repechage each receive a bronze medal.