USAT commited to LaJust

[ATC]

http://usa-taekwondo.us/news/2010/1...-to-moving-taekwondo-forward-in-the-u-s/39836

USAT & LaJust Committed to Moving Taekwondo Forward in the U.S.

USAT & LaJust Committed to Moving Taekwondo Forward in the U.S.
Bill Kellick December 06, 2010

USA Taekwondo officials David Askinas and Mark Kaufmann recently held a series of meetings with LaJust America to discuss their continuing relationship and plans for the future of Olympic sparring in the USA.

“We have a strong partnership with LaJust and it will continue for many years to come,” said Askinas. “Our exclusive contract runs through 2013. We know that many of our members are making an investment in LaJust products and we want to assure everyone that the investment is sound as we will be using LaJust systems for years to come. The new 8.1 system hogu is the most advanced product in the field and is receiving positive feedback from both coaches and competitors. We are confident that LaJust will be the preferred PSS worldwide and set the industry standards for accuracy.”

Through the discussions between USAT and LaJust, and through a belief that we need to utilize the latest technology to improve and grow our state championships, USAT has asked LaJust to support our state associations and their qualifying events. LaJust has agreed to support as many state championships as possible. Rentals as well as purchase options will be available at state championships. USAT and LaJust are committed to having a very modest rental option open to all competitors that do not own LaJust hogus and no competitor will be denied access on account of price.

USAT encourages all state associations to prepare themselves for the future by purchasing LaJust ring sets and E-Gym systems.

 

[terryl965]

USAT and LaJust are committed to having a very modest rental option open to all competitors that do not own LaJust hogus and no competitor will be denied access on account of price.

Seriously what does this mean, if you cannot afford the rental fee they will let you just use one. I am still confused about why they are using Lajust.

 

[mango.man]

It means you need to show up at all USAT sanctioned events with the past 3 years copies of your tax records to prove that you can't afford whatever the rental fee is going to be.

I figure you must provide some sort of proof, otherwise wouldn't everyone just say that they can't afford it? This seems to open a really big can of worms if some people buy, others rent for let's say $20, some perhaps rent for $10 and many "rent" for free.

Who makes the decision the person A has to pay $20 but person B doesn't have to pay at all?

 

[terryl965]

So they will just go back to playing favorites once again.

 

[troubleenuf]

The big question I have is if Lajust has fixed their problems? The Daedo system is FAR superior to the Lajust system so if they havent fixed anything its still a crappy system that the USAT is tied into for a long time.

 

[Archtkd]

The big question I have is if Lajust has fixed their problems? The Daedo system is FAR superior to the Lajust system so if they havent fixed anything its still a crappy system that the USAT is tied into for a long time.

If the Daedo system is "far superior" to LaJaust, why did the WTF -- to the dissapointment of the Korean team-- switch to the LaJust system at the recently concluded Asia Games? For the old timers, is this a VCR V/s BETA type of commercial battle, politics, or real technology difference that make one system superior to the other?

 

[RSweet]

USAT and LaJust are committed to having a very modest rental option open to all competitors that do not own LaJust hogus and no competitor will be denied access on account of price.

Seriously what does this mean, if you cannot afford the rental fee they will let you just use one. I am still confused about why they are using Lajust.

They are using LaJust because they were the ones who agreed to give them the most money $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and that is why you have to rent or buy the LaJust equipment because LaJust knows they will make it back on footies and hogues and rentals and sale. They didn't give usat that much cash because they like David. 2011 you will be REQUIRED to have it for USAT events.

 

[terryl965]

Yes Rhonda I understand that, but what about the part that says the wil make sure everyone can use them regardless of money. So if I say my players cannot afford them then they can use them for free? How to they determin who can and cannot get them for free?

 

[miguksaram]

Curious...how much do these things cost? What are their repair costs like? If I buy one and it is malfunctioning how long does it take to get them fixed? Is there even an option to get them repaired if they malfunction?

 

[troubleenuf]

I have used both systems and its there are big difference between the two. Daedo scores more consistently and scores in the legal target areas. Given the choice myself and my players would pick Daedo any day.
And yes... the only reason they used Lajust is because of the $ bills that changed hands... not based upon what is best for the athletes.

If the Daedo system is "far superior" to LaJaust, why did the WTF -- to the dissapointment of the Korean team-- switch to the LaJust system at the recently concluded Asia Games? For the old timers, is this a VCR V/s BETA type of commercial battle, politics, or real technology difference that make one system superior to the other?

 

[terryl965]

The Hogu is $495.00 and the socks are around $45.00 a pair. It is prety steep for the everage player.

 

[Gorilla]

How long can this last!

 

[terryl965]

How long can this last!

Forever and I mean forever

 

[RSweet]

Yes Rhonda I understand that, but what about the part that says the wil make sure everyone can use them regardless of money. So if I say my players cannot afford them then they can use them for free? How to they determin who can and cannot get them for free?

I don't read it will be free. I know how they work. He is saying that the rental will be what they consider reasonable. Remember, this is also the year that he is enforcing Stay to Play. USAT needs cash. period.

 

[miguksaram]

The Hogu is $495.00 and the socks are around $45.00 a pair. It is prety steep for the everage player.

I thought my Kumdo armor was expensive! That is ridiculous. I still have my questions about what happens when the equipment needs repairs. What is the life span of such equipment? All of this just because people can't trust manual judging?

 

[Archtkd]

I have used both systems and its there are big difference between the two. Daedo scores more consistently and scores in the legal target areas. Given the choice myself and my players would pick Daedo any day.
And yes... the only reason they used Lajust is because of the $ bills that changed hands... not based upon what is best for the athletes.

Thanks for the good info. What are the cost differences? I wonder if the are also other issues at play. I think I read somewhere that Daedo is a Spanish company and LaJust is a Korean company.

 

[terryl965]

The cost is the same, why USAT decided to go with Unjust is simple they gave the most money to USAT. They did not do it on preformance it was strickly about cash. This is why USAT is not really growing anymore they forgot it is about the athletes and what is best for them.

 

[Daniel Sullivan]

The Hogu is $495.00 and the socks are around $45.00 a pair. It is prety steep for the everage player.

I hope that I don't come off as flippant or sarcastic, but....

Gee, I wish kendo bogu were that inexpensive. My mid level bogu with no electronics was over six hundred dollars. The cheap gear is four hundred and expensive sets go into the thousands. Plus the cost of shinai, which never ends if you stay with it. Not to mention that there are no 19.95 doboks for kendo.

Here's essentially what I had to get:

Uniform
http://www.e-mudo.com/Top_Quality_ZonShin_Navy_Set_Single_layer_Tetron_p/msetsn.htm
Bogu
http://www.e-mudo.com/Machine_Made_3_0_m_m_Standard_Bogu_Set_p/sm301.htm
Shinai
http://www.e-mudo.com/Kenshi_39AAA_Competition_Complete_p/ws39kenshi.htm
Bokuto
http://www.e-mudo.com/100cm_Master_White_Bokuto_from_Japan_p/100whiteoakbokuto.htm

The costs of that tarrs and feathers the cost of the LaJust hogu and a TKD dobok. Take a look through the website and you'll see that I bought the chump change gear. Uniforms get into the hundreds, some over seven hundred. Bogu can get into the thousands. Shinai can also exceeed one hundred dollars.

If you do iaido, well, you don't need the bogu, but eventually, you'll get to where you'll need an iaito, and that'll set you back over three hundred most likely. And if you get that shinken, well, my shinken would by four of the LaJust hogu.

Since we're talking sports, how about a comparison to other contact sports:

Here's what it would cost to gear up your high school quarterback:

Shoulder pads:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360743
Ribb guards
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360751
Assorted other pads
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360747
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360744
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360749

Cleats
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360730

Helmets are likely furnished by the team, but here they are just for completeness:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360737

The above assumes that the player or his parents are assuming the cost of all but the helmet, jersey and pants, as I'd assume that those are going to be team specific. I don't know how gear acquisition is in football, but if you're going to play, you can easily top five hundred in protective gear.

Hey, maybe nobody has to pay for their gear in football, but I kind of doubt that.

As far as one on one contact sports go, how about fencing:

Foil electric starter kit:
http://shop.fencing.net/product_p/fdn-ef-comp1.htm
FIE rated mask
http://shop.fencing.net/product_p/lp-280c.htm
FIE rated Jacket
http://shop.fencing.net/product_p/fwf10001.htm
FIE rated knickers
http://shop.fencing.net/product_p/fwf10002.htm

Going epee would be marginally cheaper; no lame required. Going saber would be more expensive, as that requires an electric mask and a lame with sleeves.
http://shop.fencing.net/Leon_Paul_Inox_Sabre_Lame_p/lp-s30.htm

As you can see, its pretty easy to hit five hundred dollars with approved gear.

And don't even get me started on competitive cycling (did that in high school, only BMX thank God; the necessary equipment for touring was unattainable without a sponsor).

The issue of the LaJust equipment being inferior....

The big question I have is if Lajust has fixed their problems? The Daedo system is FAR superior to the Lajust system so if they havent fixed anything its still a crappy system that the USAT is tied into for a long time.

...is really the only justifiable complaint that you can make.

If you wanted a competitive contact sport, congratulations! You got one. And all of the gear related costs that go with it that rest of us have to put up with if we want to play. The fact that a corporate entity has financed its way into being the 'official' gear should surprise nobody either, and is probably pretty commonplace in sports.

Whenever there's gear, there's costs. Whenever there are competitions that take you out of state, there are costs. In order to be trained to compete, there's a cost. Making it an olympic sport means that there will now be unique equipment requirements, which will, of course increase said costs.

Those costs will eliminate some people from participation. Sad, but reality.

The fact that they have at least something in place for the financially disadvantaged is pretty good in my opinion, so I'm not sure why I saw some criticisms of it.

Just be thankful that the costs for taekwondo gear is actually relatively cheap, even at 500.00 a crack for electric gear.

Daniel

 

[miguksaram]

I hope that I don't come off as flippant or sarcastic, but....

Gee, I wish kendo bogu were that inexpensive. My mid level bogu with no electronics was over six hundred dollars. The cheap gear is four hundred and expensive sets go into the thousands. Plus the cost of shinai, which never ends if you stay with it. Not to mention that there are no 19.95 doboks for kendo.

Where do you shop for your gear? I know the higher end bogus will can go up into the $1000's of dollars, however you can get some mid level from $300-$500 at ebogu.com.

 

[ATC]

Since we're talking sports, how about a comparison to other contact sports:

Here's what it would cost to gear up your high school quarterback:

Shoulder pads:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360743
Ribb guards
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360751
Assorted other pads
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360747
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360744
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360749

Cleats
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360730

Helmets are likely furnished by the team, but here they are just for completeness:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2360737

Not sure about today, but in my time all this was provided by the school. You only had to purchase any special or extra pads that you wanted not needed, and in most cases you could not wear it anyways.

I think most schools still do provide the equipment as they have to maintain it and ensure it is up to code to avoid any liabilities.

Will have to ask some of the high school football players if this is still the case.