Equipment

[terryl965]

In TKD Olympic and point sparring the equipment is different:
was wondering why they do not come up with a type of equipment that would be accepted by all groups,
Is this a possibility or is a dream just a dream.

Terry

[IcemanSK]

Wow, that would be nice, Terry. I think it won't happen for 2 reasons. 1) Each group thinks differently about the importance of which area of the body to protect in their rules system. (eg. Hogus aren't needed for point fighting) 2) There's $$ to be made in the differences. That's the bigger issue.

[Miles]

I agree with IcemanSK-the different equipment is due to different focus in the sparring/training. The money angle is also pretty big since sanctioning organizations get paid sponsorships by manufacturers. Of course, TKD is not as bad as say college football where the team jerseys have the symbol of the shoe manufacturer (as does every surface of the player, coach, waterboy).

Miles