Taekwondo at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be an exciting event! The competitions will take place from August 7 to August 10, 2024 at the Grand Palais. (NBC & Peacock will air - cable and streaming.) Paris is of course in another time zone and NBC has replays during prime time in the USA. Or, you can watch at 3 AM EDT. Get the official app here:
There will be eight weight categories in total:
- Men: -58kg, -68kg, -80kg, +80kg
- Women: -49kg, -57kg, -67kg, +67kg
Taekwondo matches are fought on an octagonal mat for three rounds of two minutes each. Points are awarded based on the difficulty of the techniques used, with higher points for kicks to the head and spinning kicks.
The sport has a rich history, originating from Korea and making its first Olympic appearance as a demonstration event in 1988. It became a full medal sport in the Sydney 2000 Games.
Here are some top Taekwondo athletes to watch at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
1. CJ Nickolas (USA) - This will be his first Olympic appearance, and he's been making waves in the Taekwondo community.
2. Faith Dillon (USA) - Another first-time Olympian, Dillon has been performing exceptionally well leading up to the Games.
3. Jonathan Healy (USA) - Healy has also qualified for his first Olympics and is expected to be a strong contender.
4. Kristina Teachout(USA) - Teachout rounds out the list of first-time Olympians from the USA, and she's one to keep an eye on.
These athletes have shown great promise and are expected to deliver exciting performances in Paris.
The word "Taekwondo" can be broken down into three parts:
- Tae: meaning "strike with foot"
- Kwon: meaning "strike with hand"
- Do: meaning "the art or way"
Taekwondo emphasizes high, fast kicks and jumping and spinning kicks. It also incorporates various hand strikes and blocks. The sport is known for its dynamic and powerful movements, as well as its emphasis on mental discipline and self-control.
In addition to its physical aspects, Taekwondo practitioners follow five tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. The practice involves three main components:
1. Poomsae: Patterns that demonstrate a range of techniques.
2. Kyorugi: Sparring, which is the type of competition seen in the Olympics.
3. Gyeokpa: Breaking techniques, such as breaking wooden boards.
But is Tai chi an Olympic sport you ask...
Tai chi (also known as Tai chi chuan or Taijiquan) is an ancient Chinese martial art that combines slow, deliberate movements with deep breathing and meditation. The term “Tai chi” can be broken down into:
Tai: meaning “extreme” or “ultimate”
Chi: meaning “limit” or “boundary”
Chuan: meaning “fist” or "boxing"
As for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Tai chi is not included as an Olympic sport. The martial arts featured in the Olympics are Taekwondo, Judo, Boxing, Fencing, and Wrestling.
Compare what you know about Tai chi and other martial arts with Taekwondo. Fascinating!
Happy watching! Go Team USA!
Peace
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