May 10, 2022 (NYC)–New 2022 WT Sparring Rules Overview.  World Taekwondo (WT) has revised the sport’s rules to make it more interesting after receiving criticism during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for “foot fencing”. Foot fencing is where athletes keep one leg in the air and hop on the other foot in an attempt to score a kick with the lofted leg. It is technically legal but considered bad form.

Marc Zirogiannis, host of Taekwondo Life Magazine, does an overview of the new rule changes. He discusses the reasons for the changes and the expected impact on the Sport of Taekwondo Sparring.

Notable Changes

-Best of 3 format

– the back of the head in the clinch is not allowed

-no penalty if you fall after scoring a valid spin kick

-Gam geom for moving back or to the side 3 times without attacking

-You can lose a round after receiving 5 gam geoms (in a best of 3)

-Point gap is now 12 points per round

-Video replays can be used for the head regardless of whether they hit the headgear or the face, previously only appeals for kicks to the face would be accepted

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