Competitions are conducted in 3 rounds of 2 minutes each with a 60 second recess in between rounds. Protectors, headgear, chest protector, mouth guard, forearm and shin guards and groin guards are required for both male and females.
Competition fighting is a universal martial art developed as a sport. It involves a comprehensive training programme and total commitment.
Competition fighting is more of a sport, and less of an art. It is not necessary to have a black belt in the martial arts system to become a competition fighter, although it may help. Students interested in training for competitions have to train differently then we do in traditional martial arts.
In competitions the body has to be conditioned to take punishment since techniques are thrown full force to the face and body, while traditional systems, the emphasis is on controlled techniques.
A black belt wishing to become a competition fighter must learn basic taekwondo skills. It is not only necessary to develop techniques, but also to learn to combine these techniques. Unlike traditional martial arts, competitions are fought in a ring. Any advanced martial artist can adapt his or her style to competition fighting.
It is necessary to be involved in a special competition programme taught by a professional coach/instructor before leaping into the court. Competitions are a punishing endeavour. In order to succeed the student will have to make a solid commitment to the sport and give a lot of dedication to developing their talents. Training for a fight can be compared to a boxers training for a fight. Careful physical preparation is necessary.
