On the Scene: Taekwondo Unveils Electronic Scoring System

Competitors now wear a special sock to create a wireless signal when a point is scored. (ATR/Pansonic:Lumix)(ATR) A new scoring system in use at the World Taekwondo Federation is being met with near universal praise.

With the new system, fighters wear special electronic socks that create a wireless signal when they hit sensors on their opponent’s vest. The change is done to promote fairness in the sport by taking away a subjective element of the judging.

Benaiah Torkornoo, a Ghanaian competitor in the lightweight division told Around the Rings he is in favor of the new changes.

“It eliminates human error” he said. Every fighter now “can score their own point.”

According to Torkornoo, the new system has already produced benefits. Referring to the match between Jung-ho Park of Korea and Malian, Oumar Cisse on Wednesday, Torkornoo said under the old subjective system of scoring, the human element may have caused judges to be biased in favor of Korea, the powerhouse of taekwondo. Without the electronic system, the judges’ hands would likely have been trigger happy to score a point for Park and “maybe the Mali guy wouldn’t have won.”

How many points are rewarded was changed with the new system as well. Three points are awarded for a successful headshot. Previously just two were given. This was changed to encourage more acrobatic kicks with the goal of making the sport more dynamic. Live scoring was also introduced at the world championship.(ATR/Panasonic:Lumix)

Torkornoo said “the sport has been lacking” that dynamism because fighters were reluctant to aim for their opponent’s head. The new rule “is more rewarding as an athlete” he said.

While the new scoring system encourages more flair in the sport, coaches apparently don’t want their fighters to make a dramatic change in their style.

Australian coach Jemal Hasan tells ATR “if you are trying to change your strategy straight away then you make [your fighters] disadvantaged.” His advice on how to adapt to the new system? “Let them do what they are doing [well] for years, and they’ll still be getting the points.”

Even if his athletes won’t have a dramatic change in technique or strategy, Hasan said the new system makes taekwondo “more professional.” He added that he hasn’t heard any complaints about the new system.

“You have no one to complain, you have to complain to yourself because you have to get the point.”

Also being unveiled is the use of video replay. Coaches can appeala referees judgment on penalties or points.

Torkornoo is in favor of the use of video replay, pointing to its success in the American National Football League. He thinks video replay makes taekwondo “more competitive.” Five fights can take place at one time during the World Taekwondo Federation world championships. (ATR/Panasonic:Lumix)

Even administrators seemingly are in support of electronic scoring. USA Taekwondo Chairman Kevin Padilla told Around the Rings that as a former competitor “the evolution of body protectors is great.

“It’s definitely going to change the dynamics of the game.”

He added the new rule of two points for a spinning kick is “nice for the sport of taekwondo” because competitors will take greater risks and make the sport more appealing to audiences.

Padilla could only find two faults. No sensors are on the helmets which means the three-point-kick is still at the mercy of a subjective referee’s decision. Additionally, he complained that the foot sensors must hit the chest sensor, which he said with a laugh, “it is equally unfair to both people. Its survival of the fittest, its survival of the smartest guy.”

He said he thinks much like adapting to any new technology, the fighters will learn how to control their bodies to hit the correct part of their opponent’s body to score.

“It is human nature, we learn we evolve.”

Newly re-elected WTF President Chungwon Choue said he hopes to make taekwondo more transparent and dynamic. There was consent that these new technologies would help achieve those goals. The Ballerup Super Arena is the venue for the world championships. (ATR/Panasonic:Lumix)

“A spectator at home watching this, it has to be exciting to them” Padilla said.

“Taekwondo, you can’t compare it to track and field or swimming, or gymnastics, but I hope one day we will be in that place.”

The world championships last until the 18th of October. They are taking place in the 1500-seat Ballerup Super Arena just outside Copenhagen.

1000 competitors from 140 countries are participating.

The next world championships are in 2011. The host will be determined at the next WTF General Assembly in Cairo.

Written by Ed Hula III.