TKD in Karate Out

[BaiKaiGuy]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050708/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_sports_dropped


Well, it's official, TKD has survived another Olympics. The IOC voted, and of the sports of the Summer Olympics, Baseball and Softball have been removed from the slate. When considering whether or not to include Karate (from a list of 5 sports including golf and rollersports), it was decided not to include the martial art as an Olympic Sport at this time.

 

[arnisador]

Good news for the martial arts on balance, I suppose. Too bad about baseball though!

 

[BaiKaiGuy]

According to the article, the steroid controversy seemed to loom large in the mids of the IOC voters. Not sure what reason they gave for not admitting Karate, the only thing I can think of would be the fact that it's quite similar to TKD.

 

[Marginal]

Seems simple enough. Just let Karate guys fight under TKD's umbrella.

 

[jkdhit]

they should have it open to all ma's that involve some sort of belt rank

 

[arnisador]

Seems simple enough. Just let Karate guys fight under TKD's umbrella.

Well, a karateka could compete in it if desired, right? You don't need a TKD black belt to compete?

 

[TKDKid]

Would you not have to be a member of the WTF to compete? I don't know how the Olympic rules work.

 

[Shu2jack]

Well, I am sure there are qualifying tournaments in order to get on the olympic team. You would probably have to be a member of the organization that hosts the trials, unless it is an open tournament.

While I don't think you technically need to be a black belt in TKD, why wouldn't you go get TKD training before trying to compete in TKD at the olympic level? If you are that serious, then you will be training in TKD methods for a few years: long enough to earn a black belt in TKD.

 

[terryl965]

Well yes you have to be a TKD BB and it has to be through USAT or the Kukkiwon if not can't be on the team. No AAU or ITF or USSSA or KTA or any other organization. It is a pity that one holds the rights to the TKD portion, it is more of who you know than how good you are with them.

Terry Lee Stoker

 

[arnisador]

I didn't realize it was so restrictive. That's a shame.

 

[BaiKaiGuy]

As an aside, my school is very much interested in Beijing 2008. Sifu's been reading up, and it appears forms will be the order of the day for WuShu right now. This ought to be interesting if it's true...