Taekwondo Competition Area Size report
Taekwondo is one of the official events of the Olympic Games; it is a sport that mainly uses the hands and feet for combat or confrontation. Taekwondo originated from the Korean peninsula and incorporates traditional Korean martial arts and hand wrestling. In conclusion, modern Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art that combines contemporary East Asian martial arts and culture.
Taekwondo was a demonstration project in the 1988 Olympics; it was a test event in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics; it became an official event in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Taekwondo organizations in the world are mainly divided into two systems: the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). The Olympic Games adopt the WTF system.
All Taekwondo practitioners, whether competitors or not, are at all times expected to uphold the five tenets of Taekwondo. These are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. If you are interested in the Taekwondo competition, let's first learn more about the standard Taekwondo competition area regulation.
Taekwondo Competition Area Size
As a martial art, Taekwondo is known as a style that focuses particularly on kicking, and experienced practitioners can be seen performing various spectacular head heights and jumping kicks. The scoring zones of your opponent are the torso and the head; both kicks and punches must be accurate and powerful.
The standard international taekwondo competition area should be an unobstructed, square field, including the contest and safety areas. The contest area is a flat, non‑slip mat. The contest area can be installed on a platform 0.6m‑1m high from the base when necessary. In order to ensure the safety of athletes, there should be a slope with an angle less than 30 degrees from the ground outside the boundary line of the competition field.
Dimensions of Taekwondo Mat
There are two shapes of contest areas used in the competition. In both shapes, the contest area and safety area are different colors. The contestants are usually at two opposing points at the start, with a referee to judge the fight. The starting lines separating the two combatants are placed 2m apart in the center of the competition area. Between the competition area's outer line and the contest area's boundary is the safety area.
- Square shape
This competition area includes the square contest area and a safety area. The contest area is a 8 x 8m square and a safety area of 2 to 4m. The dimensions of the total competition area, which includes the contest area and safe area, is 10 x 10m to a maximum of 12 x 12m.
- Octagonal shape
The competition area is a minimum of 10m x 10m to a maximum of 12m x 12m. There is an octagonal-shaped contest area in the center of the competition area. The contest area measures 8m in diameter, and each side of the octagon is 3.3m long. There is a safety zone between the outside of this octagon and the edge of the field.
| Size | Square shape | Octagonal shape |
|---|---|---|
| Total Area | 10 x 10m to 12 x 12m | 10 x 10m to 12 x 12m |
| Contest Area | 8 x 8m | 8m in diameter |
| Safety Area | 2m-4m | rest area |
Colors of Taekwondo Competition Area
During the competition, the opposing athletes should wear taekwondo uniforms, helmets to protect their heads, and protective gear such as armor and leggings. The color of the armor should be red or blue, and the color of the helmet should match the color of the armor. The color scheme of the mat's surface must avoid giving a harsh reflection or tiring the contestant's or spectator's eyesight. The color scheme is also appropriately matched to the contestant's equipment, uniform, and the surface of the contest area.
Final Words
Taekwondo is an event in which athletes decide the winner through direct physical contact and physical confrontation. A weight classification system is to protect the safety of athletes and ensure fair competition. Taekwondo is a combat sport between two fighters of the same gender and in the same weight category, which is the most basic principle. Additionally, they must have a trunk protector, head protector; and a groin guard for only male athletes. Before entering the competition, the contestants must also be equipped with forearm and shin guards, gloves, sensing socks, and a mouth guard.
