Taekwondo Tournaments Are Not Martial Arts

Contrary to popular belief, taekwondo tournaments are not martial arts. Tournaments are considered as sport. Taekwondo tournaments are no different from any other sport that athletes participate into.

People engage in sports not only for the awards that they bring but also for the physical and mental aspects that goes with it. Taekwondo tournaments are no different.

These tournaments are encouraged because they bring people together on a regular basis. They allow long-standing friendships to develop and they encourage camaraderie and trust within the schools or countries competing.

They are also the ultimate step in developing self-confidence and confronting weaknesses. For others, they act as displays that feature the technical skills and mastery of taekwondo.

Many black belts travel all over the world competing and promoting taekwondo with some of the senior instructors being prominent officials in world tournaments.

Taekwondo tournaments allow all ages and sexes to compete safely. Strict rules and experienced officials insure that the true spirit of taekwondo is adhered to at all times.

Who can compete in taekwondo tournaments?

Children

Children are drawn to taekwondo because of the exciting tournaments, the fun they get while exercising, and the dream of one day becoming a blackbelt.

There are a lot of children who are being bullied and whose confidence is low, thus making their life miserable. Many parents can attest that their children’s life drastically changed upon participating in one.

They begin to feel part of a group whose first rule is to be courteous to each other and stand by one another and never pick on the weak. These are the children who usually go on to become true taekwondo blackbelts.

With taekwondo comes the confidence in believing in yourself and having a positive frame of mind. Even the children’s school performance has improved since starting training.

Women

Many women are afraid of walking alone and feel they need to be fit in order to defend themselves. Some women have been in the position of being attacked, or in a threatening situation, at one point in life. This gives them a feeling of no confidence.

At this point they feel the need to change their outlook and they finally do something about it.
Some women love the challenge, especially of out-performing the men. Taekwondo gives them the chance to become a top class athlete once they get to the level of competing in Taekwondo tournaments.

Mature Students

Taekwondo offers physical and mental fitness to students who benefit with the fitness program and the relaxation of healthy exercise.

Many school offers a syllabus that encourages those who are over 40 years of age. With the proper training, they even get promoted to blackbelt and take part in taekwondo tournaments around the world.

Handicapped

The deaf and hard of hearing are actually very good at taekwondo as there is no verbal distraction. Taekwondo gives them an equal place beside their contemporaries. Dyslexic students have had international tournament success.

Ethnic minorities

It can be noted that taekwondo was founded by General Choi Hong Hi to bring people of all cultures together.

This is most certainly achieved as taekwondo is being practiced in more than 100 countries already. In the 1994 World Championships alone, 70 countries competed in the taekwondo tournament.

Where else can you get the chance to practice your craft, travel, visit other cultures and make friends than by participating in taekwondo tournaments.