About

   Various Korean forms of martial arts have existed but in the early 20th century, taekwondo became the dominant form. In 1955 a group of Korean martial arts leaders chose taekwondo as the definitive Korean martial art in an attempt to promote its development internationally.

   In 1973, the Korean government recognised the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) as the legitimate governing body of the sport, and the first World Championships were held in that year.

   Competition

   The Olympic competition format includes four weight classes each for men and women, half the number used in World Championships. It involves a single-elimination tournament to decide the gold and silver medals.

   All competitors defeated by the two finalists get another chance in a second bracket to compete for the bronze. The two losing semi-finalists move directly into the semi-finals of that second bracket. All others who lost to the two finalists compete in single elimination within their original pools, and two winners emerge to fill the remaining semi-final spots. Each pool's winner then faces the losing semi-finalist from the opposite pool, and the two winners compete for the bronze.

   Contests are scored by awarding a point for each legitimate blow and deducting a point for each penalty. Five to seven points with one deduction is typical.

   List of events

   -- + 80 kg Men

   -- - 58 kg Men

   -- 58 - 68 kg Men

   -- 68 - 80 kg Men

   -- + 67 kg Women

   -- - 49 kg Women

   -- 49 - 57 kg Women

   -- 57 - 67 kg Women

Credit: IOC

For further info., please visit http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/index_uk.asp?SportCode=TK.