There will not be any classes on the following days:
December 24th
December 25th
December 31st
January 1st
Testing will take place on January 9th @ 6:00pm.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
WTF Approves Revised Taekwondo Rules
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200812/200812170022.html
The World Taekwondo Federation on Tuesday approved new Taekwondo regulations and competition rules that were revised in November. The decision came at its Council meeting in Ankara, Turkey.
The revised WTF rules aim to make the spectacle more exciting by encouraging players to attack more aggressively. Under the new rules, one point is awarded for attacking the opponent's body, two points for a spin kick, and three points for a hit to the head.
The competition area will shrink from 10 m by 10 m to 8 by 8. In the past, a player had a point deducted when given a warning, but from now on, the opponent will win an extra point instead.
If a referee has made a clear error in factual judgment, the decision could be reversed. The WTF decided to introduce instant video replay, beginning with the WTF World Cup Taekwondo Team Championships in July next year.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
The World Taekwondo Federation on Tuesday approved new Taekwondo regulations and competition rules that were revised in November. The decision came at its Council meeting in Ankara, Turkey.
The revised WTF rules aim to make the spectacle more exciting by encouraging players to attack more aggressively. Under the new rules, one point is awarded for attacking the opponent's body, two points for a spin kick, and three points for a hit to the head.
The competition area will shrink from 10 m by 10 m to 8 by 8. In the past, a player had a point deducted when given a warning, but from now on, the opponent will win an extra point instead.
If a referee has made a clear error in factual judgment, the decision could be reversed. The WTF decided to introduce instant video replay, beginning with the WTF World Cup Taekwondo Team Championships in July next year.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
WTF to Introduce Athlete Ranking System in 2009
http://www.wtf.org/site/news/wtf.htm?realnum=237&mode=view
The World Taekwondo Federation will introduce an athlete ranking system as early as in 2009, after years of study.The WTF athlete world ranking system, which will be announced every three months, is aimed at making taekwondo competitions more exciting both to the public and the media. A quarter of the athletes participating in the WTF-promoted tournaments will be seeded for every category, according to the master plan of the WTF ranking system. If there are 24 athletes in a weight category, six will be seeded. The system, which will include informative statistics, may eventually serve as a platform for the creation of a professional taekwondo league, which will be beneficial for the WTF and the athletes in terms of marketing opportunities.Based on the WTF ranking system, the WTF plans to launch a tentatively named annual President Cup Invitational Tournament as early as in December next year. According to the proposal, top eight athletes in each category will be invited to the tournament.The system will be applied to the WTF-promoted and --sanctioned taekwondo championships on an individual basis.In principle, the points shall be awarded according to the following formula: A (Points received according to the rank at the WTF-promoted or sanctioned championships) X B (Grade of pertinent tournaments) = final points.According to the master plan for the WTF ranking system, the first-ranked athlete shall receive 10 points, while the second-placed athlete shall receive 60 percent of the points awarded to the first-ranked athlete, that means 6 points. The third-ranked athlete shall receive 60 percent of the points awarded to the second-ranked athlete, that means 3.6 points.The WTF will commission its Games Committee or a new Event Evaluation Committee to grade taekwondo tournaments. The WTF plans to report the detailed ranking system to the WTF Council in December this year on the occasion of the 3rd WTF World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships to be held in Ankara, Turkey. The first-placed athlete at the Olympic taekwondo tournament, for example, will receive 100 points.Multi games and WTF-sanctioned tournaments shall be classified into AAA, AA and A classes by the Event Evaluation Committee. The Committee shall evaluate a tournament within one month after the completion of the pertinent event, taking into consideration the number of participants, technical level of athletes, the organizing committee’s abidance by the WTF Rules and so on.The awarded points shall be only valid for two full years and will be reviewed every three months. This process is continuous, that is new points awarded to an athlete will be subject to its own two-year cycle of point reviews every three months.During the two-year term, 25 percent of a particular set of awarded points shall be deducted every three months. After the completion of the eight quarterly reviews, that is two-year term, no points from this set shall remain. Based on this rolling point review process, the only remaining points shall be those awarded to the athlete in other competitions.National team ranking and junior ranking systems will be adopted after successful implementation of the WTF ranking system for individuals, while the by-law to the WTF ranking system will be developed soon to clarify the detailed matters, such as criteria of classes.
The World Taekwondo Federation will introduce an athlete ranking system as early as in 2009, after years of study.The WTF athlete world ranking system, which will be announced every three months, is aimed at making taekwondo competitions more exciting both to the public and the media. A quarter of the athletes participating in the WTF-promoted tournaments will be seeded for every category, according to the master plan of the WTF ranking system. If there are 24 athletes in a weight category, six will be seeded. The system, which will include informative statistics, may eventually serve as a platform for the creation of a professional taekwondo league, which will be beneficial for the WTF and the athletes in terms of marketing opportunities.Based on the WTF ranking system, the WTF plans to launch a tentatively named annual President Cup Invitational Tournament as early as in December next year. According to the proposal, top eight athletes in each category will be invited to the tournament.The system will be applied to the WTF-promoted and --sanctioned taekwondo championships on an individual basis.In principle, the points shall be awarded according to the following formula: A (Points received according to the rank at the WTF-promoted or sanctioned championships) X B (Grade of pertinent tournaments) = final points.According to the master plan for the WTF ranking system, the first-ranked athlete shall receive 10 points, while the second-placed athlete shall receive 60 percent of the points awarded to the first-ranked athlete, that means 6 points. The third-ranked athlete shall receive 60 percent of the points awarded to the second-ranked athlete, that means 3.6 points.The WTF will commission its Games Committee or a new Event Evaluation Committee to grade taekwondo tournaments. The WTF plans to report the detailed ranking system to the WTF Council in December this year on the occasion of the 3rd WTF World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships to be held in Ankara, Turkey. The first-placed athlete at the Olympic taekwondo tournament, for example, will receive 100 points.Multi games and WTF-sanctioned tournaments shall be classified into AAA, AA and A classes by the Event Evaluation Committee. The Committee shall evaluate a tournament within one month after the completion of the pertinent event, taking into consideration the number of participants, technical level of athletes, the organizing committee’s abidance by the WTF Rules and so on.The awarded points shall be only valid for two full years and will be reviewed every three months. This process is continuous, that is new points awarded to an athlete will be subject to its own two-year cycle of point reviews every three months.During the two-year term, 25 percent of a particular set of awarded points shall be deducted every three months. After the completion of the eight quarterly reviews, that is two-year term, no points from this set shall remain. Based on this rolling point review process, the only remaining points shall be those awarded to the athlete in other competitions.National team ranking and junior ranking systems will be adopted after successful implementation of the WTF ranking system for individuals, while the by-law to the WTF ranking system will be developed soon to clarify the detailed matters, such as criteria of classes.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Head of Kukiwon, Um Woon Gyu, "Will retire this year"
Jun Chul Shin, Translation by: Richard Lee (2008/09/13)
http://www.mookas.us/media_view.asp?news_no=1395
On September 11, I met the head of Kukkiwon Um Woon Gyu at a restaurant. Compared to previous times, the President of Kukkiwon looked very peaceful. As soon as I mentioned, "You look good", he quickly responded, "I think it's because my mind is at ease". Last June, Um Woon Gyu submitted his letter of resignation. He revealed opinions that he was not able to express before. "I have been together with Kukkiwon from the beginning. I have more love for Kukikwon than anyone can imagine. Then why I have submitted the letter of resignation. I have participated in the picket rally in front of the church the Seoul Committee has attended for more than 30 years. As soon as this occurred, Kukkiwon told me there is no need for me to be humiliated and stay here at Kukkiwon. Kukkiwon asked me to resign." In President Um's opinion, Kukkiwon is not performing to its potential. He believes the solution depends on the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to change the law. "Many people believe instead of In Cheon Yoo, I should remain to finish the job, but in order for Kukkiwon to have a new beginning, I should take a step back. Kukkiwon and the government will work cooperatively and follow a capable leader". He added, "no matter what the situation, there is no way I will return to Kukkiwon". From the outside, many people are complaining about President Um's continuing work at Kukkiwon. He stated, "I believe I needed to finish what I have started so that once our president gets inducted, he will start on a clean slate. I am frustrated because they are complaining about the few times that I went in". Soon after, we dropped the serious subject and had conversations about past TKD stories, army stories, TKD society and TKD personnel experiences. It seemed as though everything we talked about will probably written into a book.Lastly, the resignation topic came up. President Um said, "I don't want to make a deal about it. I just want to be able to leave on a happy note". He added, "I want to retire within this year". After dinner, going our separate ways, I noticed he looked light at feet and peaceful. Unfortunately, the person to take his position will bare a heavy burden.
http://www.mookas.us/media_view.asp?news_no=1395
On September 11, I met the head of Kukkiwon Um Woon Gyu at a restaurant. Compared to previous times, the President of Kukkiwon looked very peaceful. As soon as I mentioned, "You look good", he quickly responded, "I think it's because my mind is at ease". Last June, Um Woon Gyu submitted his letter of resignation. He revealed opinions that he was not able to express before. "I have been together with Kukkiwon from the beginning. I have more love for Kukikwon than anyone can imagine. Then why I have submitted the letter of resignation. I have participated in the picket rally in front of the church the Seoul Committee has attended for more than 30 years. As soon as this occurred, Kukkiwon told me there is no need for me to be humiliated and stay here at Kukkiwon. Kukkiwon asked me to resign." In President Um's opinion, Kukkiwon is not performing to its potential. He believes the solution depends on the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to change the law. "Many people believe instead of In Cheon Yoo, I should remain to finish the job, but in order for Kukkiwon to have a new beginning, I should take a step back. Kukkiwon and the government will work cooperatively and follow a capable leader". He added, "no matter what the situation, there is no way I will return to Kukkiwon". From the outside, many people are complaining about President Um's continuing work at Kukkiwon. He stated, "I believe I needed to finish what I have started so that once our president gets inducted, he will start on a clean slate. I am frustrated because they are complaining about the few times that I went in". Soon after, we dropped the serious subject and had conversations about past TKD stories, army stories, TKD society and TKD personnel experiences. It seemed as though everything we talked about will probably written into a book.Lastly, the resignation topic came up. President Um said, "I don't want to make a deal about it. I just want to be able to leave on a happy note". He added, "I want to retire within this year". After dinner, going our separate ways, I noticed he looked light at feet and peaceful. Unfortunately, the person to take his position will bare a heavy burden.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Kukkiwon Tax Investigation
From http://mookas.us/media_view.asp?news_no=1396
Testing Fee Tax Investigation Expected to Impact Leaders
Kukiwon Taekwondo testing fees incur a 'Profitable Business' tax investigation which will determine the fate of Kukiwon. The investigation began last September 8. and will continue with strong investigations until the 25th. According to the internal Kukiwon report, the IRS will investigate for the reasons, "Under the National Tax Law, Kukiwon prevents 'value-added tax' for the purpose of being a nonprofit organization, but the revenue it benefits from the testing fees and other fees received from applicants categorize the organization as a Profit Business", the Korean IRS said. Kukiwon has submitted a petition to Seo Byeong Su, head of the tax investigation. In the petition, it is stated that Kukiwon meet the Korean Standard Industrial Classification, and also the IRS has no evidence for the charges, and lastly that Kukiwon is a public interest organization to serve public good.A key Kukiwon official said, "After this tax investigation, IRS will go after KTA and city associations...,if testing fees force Kukiwon to be a Profit Business, same can be said for KTA and others. This can lead to economic loss and impact even the students". He added, "IRS needs to recognize that testing fees does not void the fact that Kukiwon is a nonprofit organization, for the purposes of public interest IRS should acknowledge the necessity of testing fees for business purposes, also an authoritative interpretation of testing fees as business profits should be repealed. In addition, the unfair tax investigation of Kukiwon must stop immediately", he said.This investigation is being closely monitored by the masters. One Kukiwon official said, "if testing fees require taxes, this will directly impact the TKD community, but mainly the Masters who run the dojangs". Grandmaster Han who has ran his dojang for over 10 years commented, "with the struggling economy, parents are already complaining about the testing fee of $120 (1 dan). If we need to impose additional fees, how can we not complain". TKD testing is the only business purpose Kukiwon holds, and they provide the registration certificates which include: registration fee of $7.10 (1 dan), KTA referral fee of ($2.60). Other organizations charge $7.80 for testing fee, but you have to include gym fees and training fees.
Testing Fee Tax Investigation Expected to Impact Leaders
Kukiwon Taekwondo testing fees incur a 'Profitable Business' tax investigation which will determine the fate of Kukiwon. The investigation began last September 8. and will continue with strong investigations until the 25th. According to the internal Kukiwon report, the IRS will investigate for the reasons, "Under the National Tax Law, Kukiwon prevents 'value-added tax' for the purpose of being a nonprofit organization, but the revenue it benefits from the testing fees and other fees received from applicants categorize the organization as a Profit Business", the Korean IRS said. Kukiwon has submitted a petition to Seo Byeong Su, head of the tax investigation. In the petition, it is stated that Kukiwon meet the Korean Standard Industrial Classification, and also the IRS has no evidence for the charges, and lastly that Kukiwon is a public interest organization to serve public good.A key Kukiwon official said, "After this tax investigation, IRS will go after KTA and city associations...,if testing fees force Kukiwon to be a Profit Business, same can be said for KTA and others. This can lead to economic loss and impact even the students". He added, "IRS needs to recognize that testing fees does not void the fact that Kukiwon is a nonprofit organization, for the purposes of public interest IRS should acknowledge the necessity of testing fees for business purposes, also an authoritative interpretation of testing fees as business profits should be repealed. In addition, the unfair tax investigation of Kukiwon must stop immediately", he said.This investigation is being closely monitored by the masters. One Kukiwon official said, "if testing fees require taxes, this will directly impact the TKD community, but mainly the Masters who run the dojangs". Grandmaster Han who has ran his dojang for over 10 years commented, "with the struggling economy, parents are already complaining about the testing fee of $120 (1 dan). If we need to impose additional fees, how can we not complain". TKD testing is the only business purpose Kukiwon holds, and they provide the registration certificates which include: registration fee of $7.10 (1 dan), KTA referral fee of ($2.60). Other organizations charge $7.80 for testing fee, but you have to include gym fees and training fees.
Monday, August 25, 2008
USA Olympic Taekwondo Summary
Information taken from http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/
Steven Lopez Rebounds to Win Olympic Bronze Medal
August 22, 2008
After suffering his first-ever defeat in three Olympic Games, and first loss in six years, welterweight Steven Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas) rebounded to win a bronze medal Friday night at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium. Italy's Mauro Sarmiento, the eventual silver medalist, defeated Lopez in sudden-death overtime in the quarterfinal round. When Sarmiento advanced to the finals, Lopez was entered into the repechage for one of two bronze medals. Lopez defeated Sebastien Konan from the Ivory Coast, 3-0, and then defeated Azerbaijan's Rashad Ahmadov for the bronze medal, 3-2. Iran's Hadi Saei won the gold medal."I came here expecting to win a gold medal, but I guess it wasn't in the cards today," said Lopez. "I should have been in the finals. It's hard, but I'm happy with the bronze. It's better than nothing. I have two ways to look at it, either succumb to it and think 'I should have been in the finals', but a champion goes out there with dignity and I wanted to prove to myself and others that I am the best."Lopez also said he plans to compete again at the 2012 Olympics."It encourages me to keep going," he said about his future. "I am upset. I love winning, I hate losing. And in no way does this discourage me from wanting to go to the 2012 Olympic Games."The bronze medal gives the Lopez siblings three medals at the Beijing Games. Diana Lopez captured bronze in the women's featherweight division and Mark Lopez was the silver medalist in the men's featherweight class."We are extremely happy with our athletes' performance and effort here in Beijing," said USA Taekwondo CEO David Askinas. "In this most historic Olympics we made history with one family winning three Olympic medals. Steven, Mark and Diana are true champions of the sport. Under difficult circumstances they fought hard and represented our country with honor and dignity. We understand that taekwondo is a difficult sport to officiate. Our federation has issues they need to confront. Nonetheless, my sincere disappointment I feel for our athletes is tempered by the knowledge that they have strived and achieved great things. This, of course, includes our future star Charlotte Craig. She was a great teammate and gave her all, just falling short of the semis by one point. We all expect great things from her in the future."NOTE: The views expressed by the U.S. Olympic Head of Team for Taekwondo, as published in some news articles regarding the Olympic taekwondo competition, do not necessarily reflect the views of USA Taekwondo. USAT continues to work with the World Taekwondo Federation to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.
Mark Lopez Takes Olympic Silver Medal, Diana Lopez Wins Bronze
August 21, 2008
Men's featherweight Mark Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas) took the Olympic silver medal on Thursday at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium. Lopez lost the gold medal match to Korea's Son Taejin, 3-2, after Taejin scored the winning point in the final seconds of the third round."Of course I wanted the gold medal," said Mark Lopez. "I came here for the gold medal but I got silver and you've got to be happy with that."Mark's younger sister, Diana Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas), also captured an Olympic medal on Thursday winning the bronze medal in the women's featherweight division. She defeated Italy's Veronica Calabrese in sudden death overtime to claim the medal."I am just so happy, so emotional," Diana Lopez said. "To compete at this level and at this venue is an honor."Eldest brother Jean Lopez, coached both his younger siblings to their podium finishes."This time she really honed in on what I've been saying to her," Jean Lopez said about Diana's bronze medal bout. "I said she didn't have this oppportunity before and it might not be something that she gets the opportunity to do again. I told her that the medal is her hardware. Her kids will brag about this medal and her grandkids will brag about this medal."The fourth member of the Lopez family, men's welterweight Steven Lopez, will try for his third straight Olympic gold medal on Friday. His first match is at 11:30 a.m. (11:30 p.m. EDT Thursday). All matches can be seen live at http://www.nbcolympics.com/.
Charlotte Craig Does Not Advance to Olympic Repechage
August 20, 2008
After losing her quarterfinal match of the Olympic Games on Wednesday to Venezuela's Dalia Contreras Rivero, 3-2, flyweight Charlotte Craig (Murietta, Calif.), 17, was forced to play a two-hour waiting game to see if she would qualify for the repechage round and a chance for a bronze medal. But when Contreras Rivero lost on a referee superiority decision in the semifinals to Thailand's Butree Puedpong, after the two fought a scoreless overtime period, Craig was eliminated from the competition."I figured her strategy was to wait for me and my game is to be aggressive," said Craig of her quarterfinal match with Contreras Rivero."My problem was that she got the first point so I had to push it."Craig was obviously disappointed with the day's outcome, saying she was more nervous waiting around for the chance at the repechage than she was competing in the ring, but she carries with her an Olympic Games experience."I'm just happy I got a chance to represent my country," Craig said.Taekwondo competition continues on Thursday with featherweights Diana and Mark Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas) in action for the U.S. Diana's first match is at 10:00 a.m. (Wednesday 10:00 p.m. EDT) against Thailand's Premwaew Chonnapas, while Mark Lopez faces Afghanistan's Nesar Ahmad Behave at 11:30 a.m. (Wednesday 11:30 p.m. EDT) in the first round.All matches can be seen live at www.NBCOlympics.com.
Charlotte Craig Advances to Quarterfinals of Olympic Games
August 20, 2008
Olympic flyweight Charlotte Craig (Murietta, Calif.) started off her Olympic competition with a 4-0 win over Switzerland's Manuela Bezzola at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium. Craig built a 3-0 lead in the first round and maintained control throughout the remainder of the contest. "I set it up pretty well, took my time," said Craig of her scoring during the match. "When I saw she was in my distance, I attacked."Craig moves on to the quarterfinals to face Venezuela's Dalia Contreras Rivero who defeated Craig last December in the semifinals of the Pan Am Olympic Qualifier, 5-3. That match will take place at 3:30 p.m. (3:30 a.m. EDT) and can be seen live at www.NBCOlympics.com.
Olympic Taekwondo Competition Kicks Off in BeijingAugust 18, 2008Olympic Taekwondo competition gets underway Wednesday at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium with action in the men’s and women’s Olympic flyweight divisions. The Olympic competition consists of a single-elimination tournament with a repechage for the two bronze medals. Read Preview
The draw for the Olympic taekwondo competition has concluded and the brackets for each of the Americans are listed below:Women's 49kgWomen's 57kgMen's 68kgMen's 80kg
Steven Lopez Rebounds to Win Olympic Bronze Medal
August 22, 2008
After suffering his first-ever defeat in three Olympic Games, and first loss in six years, welterweight Steven Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas) rebounded to win a bronze medal Friday night at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium. Italy's Mauro Sarmiento, the eventual silver medalist, defeated Lopez in sudden-death overtime in the quarterfinal round. When Sarmiento advanced to the finals, Lopez was entered into the repechage for one of two bronze medals. Lopez defeated Sebastien Konan from the Ivory Coast, 3-0, and then defeated Azerbaijan's Rashad Ahmadov for the bronze medal, 3-2. Iran's Hadi Saei won the gold medal."I came here expecting to win a gold medal, but I guess it wasn't in the cards today," said Lopez. "I should have been in the finals. It's hard, but I'm happy with the bronze. It's better than nothing. I have two ways to look at it, either succumb to it and think 'I should have been in the finals', but a champion goes out there with dignity and I wanted to prove to myself and others that I am the best."Lopez also said he plans to compete again at the 2012 Olympics."It encourages me to keep going," he said about his future. "I am upset. I love winning, I hate losing. And in no way does this discourage me from wanting to go to the 2012 Olympic Games."The bronze medal gives the Lopez siblings three medals at the Beijing Games. Diana Lopez captured bronze in the women's featherweight division and Mark Lopez was the silver medalist in the men's featherweight class."We are extremely happy with our athletes' performance and effort here in Beijing," said USA Taekwondo CEO David Askinas. "In this most historic Olympics we made history with one family winning three Olympic medals. Steven, Mark and Diana are true champions of the sport. Under difficult circumstances they fought hard and represented our country with honor and dignity. We understand that taekwondo is a difficult sport to officiate. Our federation has issues they need to confront. Nonetheless, my sincere disappointment I feel for our athletes is tempered by the knowledge that they have strived and achieved great things. This, of course, includes our future star Charlotte Craig. She was a great teammate and gave her all, just falling short of the semis by one point. We all expect great things from her in the future."NOTE: The views expressed by the U.S. Olympic Head of Team for Taekwondo, as published in some news articles regarding the Olympic taekwondo competition, do not necessarily reflect the views of USA Taekwondo. USAT continues to work with the World Taekwondo Federation to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.
Mark Lopez Takes Olympic Silver Medal, Diana Lopez Wins Bronze
August 21, 2008
Men's featherweight Mark Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas) took the Olympic silver medal on Thursday at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium. Lopez lost the gold medal match to Korea's Son Taejin, 3-2, after Taejin scored the winning point in the final seconds of the third round."Of course I wanted the gold medal," said Mark Lopez. "I came here for the gold medal but I got silver and you've got to be happy with that."Mark's younger sister, Diana Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas), also captured an Olympic medal on Thursday winning the bronze medal in the women's featherweight division. She defeated Italy's Veronica Calabrese in sudden death overtime to claim the medal."I am just so happy, so emotional," Diana Lopez said. "To compete at this level and at this venue is an honor."Eldest brother Jean Lopez, coached both his younger siblings to their podium finishes."This time she really honed in on what I've been saying to her," Jean Lopez said about Diana's bronze medal bout. "I said she didn't have this oppportunity before and it might not be something that she gets the opportunity to do again. I told her that the medal is her hardware. Her kids will brag about this medal and her grandkids will brag about this medal."The fourth member of the Lopez family, men's welterweight Steven Lopez, will try for his third straight Olympic gold medal on Friday. His first match is at 11:30 a.m. (11:30 p.m. EDT Thursday). All matches can be seen live at http://www.nbcolympics.com/.
Charlotte Craig Does Not Advance to Olympic Repechage
August 20, 2008
After losing her quarterfinal match of the Olympic Games on Wednesday to Venezuela's Dalia Contreras Rivero, 3-2, flyweight Charlotte Craig (Murietta, Calif.), 17, was forced to play a two-hour waiting game to see if she would qualify for the repechage round and a chance for a bronze medal. But when Contreras Rivero lost on a referee superiority decision in the semifinals to Thailand's Butree Puedpong, after the two fought a scoreless overtime period, Craig was eliminated from the competition."I figured her strategy was to wait for me and my game is to be aggressive," said Craig of her quarterfinal match with Contreras Rivero."My problem was that she got the first point so I had to push it."Craig was obviously disappointed with the day's outcome, saying she was more nervous waiting around for the chance at the repechage than she was competing in the ring, but she carries with her an Olympic Games experience."I'm just happy I got a chance to represent my country," Craig said.Taekwondo competition continues on Thursday with featherweights Diana and Mark Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas) in action for the U.S. Diana's first match is at 10:00 a.m. (Wednesday 10:00 p.m. EDT) against Thailand's Premwaew Chonnapas, while Mark Lopez faces Afghanistan's Nesar Ahmad Behave at 11:30 a.m. (Wednesday 11:30 p.m. EDT) in the first round.All matches can be seen live at www.NBCOlympics.com.
Charlotte Craig Advances to Quarterfinals of Olympic Games
August 20, 2008
Olympic flyweight Charlotte Craig (Murietta, Calif.) started off her Olympic competition with a 4-0 win over Switzerland's Manuela Bezzola at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium. Craig built a 3-0 lead in the first round and maintained control throughout the remainder of the contest. "I set it up pretty well, took my time," said Craig of her scoring during the match. "When I saw she was in my distance, I attacked."Craig moves on to the quarterfinals to face Venezuela's Dalia Contreras Rivero who defeated Craig last December in the semifinals of the Pan Am Olympic Qualifier, 5-3. That match will take place at 3:30 p.m. (3:30 a.m. EDT) and can be seen live at www.NBCOlympics.com.
Olympic Taekwondo Competition Kicks Off in BeijingAugust 18, 2008Olympic Taekwondo competition gets underway Wednesday at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium with action in the men’s and women’s Olympic flyweight divisions. The Olympic competition consists of a single-elimination tournament with a repechage for the two bronze medals. Read Preview
The draw for the Olympic taekwondo competition has concluded and the brackets for each of the Americans are listed below:Women's 49kgWomen's 57kgMen's 68kgMen's 80kg
Lopez bronze after first loss in 6 years
http://www.nbcolympics.com/taekwondo/news/newsid=247167.html#lopez+bronze+after+first+loss+years
Iran's Saei wins gold; Korea adds a third in two days
By the Associated Press
Posted Friday, August 22, 2008 3:48 AM ET
BEIJING (AP) -- Hwang Kyung-seon won South Korea its third gold medal in taekwondo on Friday, and Iran's Hadi Saei captured the men's 80-kilogram-class after an upset sent favorite Steven Lopez of the United States to a quarterfinal loss.
JUNG YEON-JE/Getty Images
Steven Lopez (blue) of the US fights with Mauro Sarmiento (red) of Italy in the quarterfinal round. Lopez lost the match - his first loss since 2002.
Lopez, the defending Athens gold medalist, came back to add a bronze to the silver and bronze won by his younger brother and sister on Thursday.
Saei, who won the gold in a lower weight class in the 2004 Games, went ahead in the first round against Italy's Mauro Sarmiento, but Sarmiento hit him squarely with a head kick to take a 4-2 lead.
Saei landed a kick in the second round to move within a point, then another to Sarmiento's side to tie the score 4-4 going into the final round. He came out quickly in the third, scoring another point for the lead and added on a sixth point to seal the victory.
Lopez scored on Rashad Ahmadov of Azerbaijan in the final seconds to win bronze. The second bronze went to Zhu Guo of China, who defeated Aaron Cook of Britain 4-1.
Saei moved easily through his group, taking his first match with a 7-point margin, then winning 3-2 over Zhu and 4-1 in the semis against Ahmadov.
Sarmiento - coming off a leg injury that has slowed him since 2006 - narrowly made it to the semis by defeating Lopez in a quarterfinal that went into overtime.
Videos
Athens 2004: Steven Lopez
The American wins his second Olympic gold medal
Top kicks: Day one
Top kicks: Day two
Photos
Lopezes add medals in Beijing
Beginning with the Opening Ceremony, check out the Lopezes (of taekwondo fame) as they compete for a fresh haul of medals.
Related Stories
Steven Lopez
Steven Lopez quick hits
Diana Lopez
Mark Lopez
Lopez, who hadn't lost a bout since 2002, was the heavy favorite.
Lopez fought Bahri Tanrikulu of Turkey in his opening bout, a rematch of their final in the Athens Games.
After a scoreless first round, Tanrikulu, a two-time world champion, hit with a roundhouse kick with 20 seconds to go in the second round to take the lead. Lopez came back at the start of round three to score two points and added another to go ahead 3-1. Tanrikulu had a point deducted just before the bell and the match ended 3-0 for Lopez.
But Lopez' luck then ran out.
He led 2-0 going into the final round of the quarters, but was scored on and then dropped a point for a penalty to go into overtime with Sarmiento. With time running out, Sarmiento nailed Lopez with a jumping kick as the Texan lunged forward.
The U.S. team protested the point deduction in the third round, saying it was a legal defensive move and not an illegal chop kick, but the protest was not accepted.
"We were manhandled, we were threatened not to protest, but we continued out of good faith," said team leader Herb Perez. "We don't feel we were given a level playing field."
Though they fell short of the golds, the Lopez family made U.S. Olympic history.
On Thursday, Lopez brother Mark won a silver in men's 68-kg and sister Diana a bronze in women's 57-kg.
They are the first three siblings to compete for the United States in the same Olympics since the gymnasts Edward, William and Richard Tritschler competed in St. Louis in 1904 but failed to medal.
In Friday's women's final, Hwang defeated Canada's Karine Sergerie with a kick in the final seconds to win the women's 67-kg class.
Hwang, launching few attacks, trailed Sergerie by a kick as the first round ended, but came back with 30 seconds left in the second round to tie it up. She scored with a back kick with 35 seconds left to win.
Hwang, who was the Athens bronze medalist and world champion in 2005 and 2007, cruised through her opening bout with a 5-1 score.
She fought a cautious quarterfinal but went ahead in the second round and used a counterattack kick in the third to win 3-1. In the semi, she squared off with longtime rival Gwladys Epangue of France. She won in overtime.
The bronze medals went to Epangue and Sandra Saric of Croatia.
Iran's Saei wins gold; Korea adds a third in two days
By the Associated Press
Posted Friday, August 22, 2008 3:48 AM ET
BEIJING (AP) -- Hwang Kyung-seon won South Korea its third gold medal in taekwondo on Friday, and Iran's Hadi Saei captured the men's 80-kilogram-class after an upset sent favorite Steven Lopez of the United States to a quarterfinal loss.
JUNG YEON-JE/Getty Images
Steven Lopez (blue) of the US fights with Mauro Sarmiento (red) of Italy in the quarterfinal round. Lopez lost the match - his first loss since 2002.
Lopez, the defending Athens gold medalist, came back to add a bronze to the silver and bronze won by his younger brother and sister on Thursday.
Saei, who won the gold in a lower weight class in the 2004 Games, went ahead in the first round against Italy's Mauro Sarmiento, but Sarmiento hit him squarely with a head kick to take a 4-2 lead.
Saei landed a kick in the second round to move within a point, then another to Sarmiento's side to tie the score 4-4 going into the final round. He came out quickly in the third, scoring another point for the lead and added on a sixth point to seal the victory.
Lopez scored on Rashad Ahmadov of Azerbaijan in the final seconds to win bronze. The second bronze went to Zhu Guo of China, who defeated Aaron Cook of Britain 4-1.
Saei moved easily through his group, taking his first match with a 7-point margin, then winning 3-2 over Zhu and 4-1 in the semis against Ahmadov.
Sarmiento - coming off a leg injury that has slowed him since 2006 - narrowly made it to the semis by defeating Lopez in a quarterfinal that went into overtime.
Videos
Athens 2004: Steven Lopez
The American wins his second Olympic gold medal
Top kicks: Day one
Top kicks: Day two
Photos
Lopezes add medals in Beijing
Beginning with the Opening Ceremony, check out the Lopezes (of taekwondo fame) as they compete for a fresh haul of medals.
Related Stories
Steven Lopez
Steven Lopez quick hits
Diana Lopez
Mark Lopez
Lopez, who hadn't lost a bout since 2002, was the heavy favorite.
Lopez fought Bahri Tanrikulu of Turkey in his opening bout, a rematch of their final in the Athens Games.
After a scoreless first round, Tanrikulu, a two-time world champion, hit with a roundhouse kick with 20 seconds to go in the second round to take the lead. Lopez came back at the start of round three to score two points and added another to go ahead 3-1. Tanrikulu had a point deducted just before the bell and the match ended 3-0 for Lopez.
But Lopez' luck then ran out.
He led 2-0 going into the final round of the quarters, but was scored on and then dropped a point for a penalty to go into overtime with Sarmiento. With time running out, Sarmiento nailed Lopez with a jumping kick as the Texan lunged forward.
The U.S. team protested the point deduction in the third round, saying it was a legal defensive move and not an illegal chop kick, but the protest was not accepted.
"We were manhandled, we were threatened not to protest, but we continued out of good faith," said team leader Herb Perez. "We don't feel we were given a level playing field."
Though they fell short of the golds, the Lopez family made U.S. Olympic history.
On Thursday, Lopez brother Mark won a silver in men's 68-kg and sister Diana a bronze in women's 57-kg.
They are the first three siblings to compete for the United States in the same Olympics since the gymnasts Edward, William and Richard Tritschler competed in St. Louis in 1904 but failed to medal.
In Friday's women's final, Hwang defeated Canada's Karine Sergerie with a kick in the final seconds to win the women's 67-kg class.
Hwang, launching few attacks, trailed Sergerie by a kick as the first round ended, but came back with 30 seconds left in the second round to tie it up. She scored with a back kick with 35 seconds left to win.
Hwang, who was the Athens bronze medalist and world champion in 2005 and 2007, cruised through her opening bout with a 5-1 score.
She fought a cautious quarterfinal but went ahead in the second round and used a counterattack kick in the third to win 3-1. In the semi, she squared off with longtime rival Gwladys Epangue of France. She won in overtime.
The bronze medals went to Epangue and Sandra Saric of Croatia.
Kicked out: Cuban banned for life
http://www.nbcolympics.com/taekwondo/news/newsid=251304.html#kicked+out+cuban+banned+life
By the Associated Press
Posted Saturday, August 23, 2008 5:42 AM ET
BEIJING (AP) -- Cuba's Angel Matos deliberately kicked a referee square in the face after he was disqualified in a bronze-medal match, prompting the World Taekwondo Federation to recommend he be banned for life.
Cuba's Angel Matos has been disqualified for life after kicking a referee in the Men's 80Kg Bronze medal match
"We didn't expect anything like what you have witnessed to occur," said WTF secretary general Yang Jin-suk. "I am at a loss for words."
Yang also recommended Matos' coach be banned.
Matos was winning 3-2, with 1:02 left in the second round, when he fell to the mat after being hit by his opponent, Kazakhstan's Arman Chilmanov. Matos was sitting there, awaiting medical attention, when he was disqualified for taking too much injury time. Fighters get one minute, and Matos was disqualified when his time ran out.
Matos angrily questioned the call, pushed a judge, then pushed and kicked referee Chakir Chelbat of Sweden, who will require stitches in his lip. Matos spat on the floor and was escorted out.
"This is an insult to the Olympic vision, an insult to the spirit of taekwondo and, in my opinion, an insult to mankind," Yang said.
Matos' coach was unapologetic.
"He was too strict," Leudis Gonzalez said, referring to the decision to disqualify Matos. Afterward, he charged the match was fixed, accusing the Kazakhs of offering him money.
Although the arena announcer said Matos and his coach were banned effective immediately, Yang said due process must be followed before officially banning the two.
In his first match, Matos defeated Italy's Leonardo Basile, then beat China's Liu Xiaobo 2-1 in the quarterfinals. But he lost to South Korean Cha Dong-min in the semis to land in the bronze-medal match. "To me it was obvious he was unable to continue," Chilmanov said. "His toe on his left foot was broken."
But Chilmanov added: "Rules are rules. I'm happy with my medal."
Matos won the gold medal in this division - the men's over 80-kilograms (176 pounds) - at the 2000 Sydney Games, dedicating the victory to his mother, who died on the day of the opening ceremony. At the 2004 Athens Games, he finished 11th.
Matos' bad behavior followed a day of confusion on the mats and ended the four-day taekwondo competition, which was marred by several protests against judge's calls.
Earlier Saturday, China's double gold medalist Chen Zhong crashed out in the quarterfinals after initially being declared the winner.
World champion Maria del Rosario Espinoza, the eventual winner in the women's over 67-kilogram (147.4 pounds) class, was to fight Chen in the semifinals but the judges overturned an earlier ruling and made Britain's Sarah Stevenson the winner of the quarterfinal bout in which Chen scored in the closing seconds of the second round and then Stevenson tagged her with a head kick - worth two points - in the third.
The judges ruled Stevenson's kick wasn't solid enough for points, and Chen was declared the winner 1-0. After Britain protested, the result was changed to put Stevenson in the semifinal.
The decision brought loud jeers from the crowd. China did not appeal.
It was the first time a match result has been overturned since taekwondo became an official Olympic sport in 1990.
"It's been a really tough day, an emotional rollercoaster," Stevenson said. "I would have been devastated if they hadn't changed the decision."
Stevenson won bronze, along with Brazil's Natalia Falavigna.
Cha made it four-for-four gold medals for South Korea. In taekwondo, countries are allowed to enter only four athletes.
Cha fell behind when Alexandros Nikolaidis of Greece nailed him with a head kick 15 seconds into the bout. But he came back with a body kick and a head shot of his own to take back the lead, adding another point to go 4-3 going into the third round.
Nikolaidis evened it out at 4-4 with a body kick, but Cha scored with just 18 seconds left to claim the gold in the men's over-80 kg (176 pounds) division.
Nikolaidis said he felt the judging was bad in the gold-medal match as well.
"I don't think in press conferences we should discuss referees and things," he said. "But I think I deserved a couple of things that didn't come to me."
Daba Modibo Keita of Mali, the 2007 world champion, was defeated in overtime in the quarterfinals by Nigeria's Chika Yagazie Chukwumerije, who ended up with the other bronze.
By the Associated Press
Posted Saturday, August 23, 2008 5:42 AM ET
BEIJING (AP) -- Cuba's Angel Matos deliberately kicked a referee square in the face after he was disqualified in a bronze-medal match, prompting the World Taekwondo Federation to recommend he be banned for life.
Cuba's Angel Matos has been disqualified for life after kicking a referee in the Men's 80Kg Bronze medal match
"We didn't expect anything like what you have witnessed to occur," said WTF secretary general Yang Jin-suk. "I am at a loss for words."
Yang also recommended Matos' coach be banned.
Matos was winning 3-2, with 1:02 left in the second round, when he fell to the mat after being hit by his opponent, Kazakhstan's Arman Chilmanov. Matos was sitting there, awaiting medical attention, when he was disqualified for taking too much injury time. Fighters get one minute, and Matos was disqualified when his time ran out.
Matos angrily questioned the call, pushed a judge, then pushed and kicked referee Chakir Chelbat of Sweden, who will require stitches in his lip. Matos spat on the floor and was escorted out.
"This is an insult to the Olympic vision, an insult to the spirit of taekwondo and, in my opinion, an insult to mankind," Yang said.
Matos' coach was unapologetic.
"He was too strict," Leudis Gonzalez said, referring to the decision to disqualify Matos. Afterward, he charged the match was fixed, accusing the Kazakhs of offering him money.
Although the arena announcer said Matos and his coach were banned effective immediately, Yang said due process must be followed before officially banning the two.
In his first match, Matos defeated Italy's Leonardo Basile, then beat China's Liu Xiaobo 2-1 in the quarterfinals. But he lost to South Korean Cha Dong-min in the semis to land in the bronze-medal match. "To me it was obvious he was unable to continue," Chilmanov said. "His toe on his left foot was broken."
But Chilmanov added: "Rules are rules. I'm happy with my medal."
Matos won the gold medal in this division - the men's over 80-kilograms (176 pounds) - at the 2000 Sydney Games, dedicating the victory to his mother, who died on the day of the opening ceremony. At the 2004 Athens Games, he finished 11th.
Matos' bad behavior followed a day of confusion on the mats and ended the four-day taekwondo competition, which was marred by several protests against judge's calls.
Earlier Saturday, China's double gold medalist Chen Zhong crashed out in the quarterfinals after initially being declared the winner.
World champion Maria del Rosario Espinoza, the eventual winner in the women's over 67-kilogram (147.4 pounds) class, was to fight Chen in the semifinals but the judges overturned an earlier ruling and made Britain's Sarah Stevenson the winner of the quarterfinal bout in which Chen scored in the closing seconds of the second round and then Stevenson tagged her with a head kick - worth two points - in the third.
The judges ruled Stevenson's kick wasn't solid enough for points, and Chen was declared the winner 1-0. After Britain protested, the result was changed to put Stevenson in the semifinal.
The decision brought loud jeers from the crowd. China did not appeal.
It was the first time a match result has been overturned since taekwondo became an official Olympic sport in 1990.
"It's been a really tough day, an emotional rollercoaster," Stevenson said. "I would have been devastated if they hadn't changed the decision."
Stevenson won bronze, along with Brazil's Natalia Falavigna.
Cha made it four-for-four gold medals for South Korea. In taekwondo, countries are allowed to enter only four athletes.
Cha fell behind when Alexandros Nikolaidis of Greece nailed him with a head kick 15 seconds into the bout. But he came back with a body kick and a head shot of his own to take back the lead, adding another point to go 4-3 going into the third round.
Nikolaidis evened it out at 4-4 with a body kick, but Cha scored with just 18 seconds left to claim the gold in the men's over-80 kg (176 pounds) division.
Nikolaidis said he felt the judging was bad in the gold-medal match as well.
"I don't think in press conferences we should discuss referees and things," he said. "But I think I deserved a couple of things that didn't come to me."
Daba Modibo Keita of Mali, the 2007 world champion, was defeated in overtime in the quarterfinals by Nigeria's Chika Yagazie Chukwumerije, who ended up with the other bronze.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
TKD Results - Day 1
China, Mexico win gold
By the Associated Press
Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2008 3:36 AM ET
BEIJING (AP) -- Chinese world champion Wu Jingyu won Olympic gold in her weight class during the first day of the taekwondo competition on Wednesday, while Afghanistan got its first Olympic medal ever, winning a bronze in the men's under 58-kilogram division.
China's Wu Jingyu celebrates after earning the gold medal in the women's 49kg division.
Mexico's Guillermo Perez won gold in the under 58-kg division in a decision over Dominica's Yulis Gabriel Mercedes. Afghanistan's Rohullah Nikpai won one of the two bronzes awarded in that weight class.
Wu took the lead in the first round of the women's under 49-kg final with a chest kick to Thailand's Buttree Puedpong. She narrowly missed on a high kick to Puedpong's head late in the second round that hit the Thai in the shoulder and sent her to the mat.
Puedpong had a point deducted in the third round, putting her in negative territory, and Wu held on for the win.
Wu also cruised through the preliminaries, beating her first two opponents by 7-point margins. That set up a semifinal between Wu and the other favorite in the division, Taiwan's Yang Shu-chun, the 2007 world bronze medalist.
Wu took the lead with a solid looping head kick and a midsection kick to close the first round. Yang scored in the second round, but Wu matched that early in the third and went on to win 4-1.
Men's 58kg and women's 49kg gallery
As the first day of taekwondo kicks off in Beijing, follow the action live as images flow in from the Games. Follow Charlotte Craig, Wu Jingyu and Athens gold medalist Chu Mu Yen.
Afghanistan wins its first Olympic medal
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Rohullah NIKPAI bio
Guillermo PEREZ bio
WU Jingyu bio
Buttree PUEDPONG bio
Charlotte Craig quick hits
Charlotte Craig bio
Venezuela's Dalia Contreras Rivero and Puedpong went into overtime in the other semifinal. Neither was able to score, and Peudpong was declared the winner by the judges.
Contreras Rivero and Cuba's Daynellis Montejo, who defeated Yang, took bronzes.
Charlotte Craig of the United States lost in the quarterfinal to Rivero.
"This is more of a learning experience," Craig said of her first Olympics. "I was lucky to make it to these Olympic Games - 2012 will be different. Even though I'm 17 years old, I'm still one of the top athletes in the world. I just have to believe in myself."
In the men's under 58-kg final, Perez had to go the distance with Mercedes.
Perez scored early, but Mercedes came back with seconds left to force the match into overtime. Neither could score in the allotted two minutes, and the judges' decision went to Perez.
Defending Athens champion Chu Mu-yen of Taiwan got off to a flying start in the preliminaries, using an airborne back kick and then a downward chopping head kick to easily best Kenya's Dickson Wamwiri, 7-0.
But his momentum ran out in the quarterfinals.
Chu was quickly forced to play catch-up after Mercedes pegged him with a body kick combination. Chu evened it up in the second round at 2-2, but fell behind again as time ran out.
World champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain, who finished fourth in Athens, also struggled in the quarterfinals, going into the third round tied with Marcio Ferreira of Brazil. He scored, then lost a point for a penalty and the match went into overtime. He won with a body kick after 20 seconds.
In the semifinal, Ramos trailed Mercedes at the start of the final round, but Mercedes lost a point on penalties, sending that match into overtime as well. Mercedes scored the winning kick with just six seconds remaining.
Nikpai defeated Ramos in the bronze medal match. The other bronze went to Taiwan's Chu.
By the Associated Press
Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:29 AM ET
BEIJING (AP) -- Afghanistan won its first Olympic medal on Wednesday, when Rohullah Nikpai defeated world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain to take the bronze medal in the men's under 58-kilogram taekwondo competition.
Nikpai, a flashy kicker who has been practicing the Korean martial art since he was 10, defeated Ramos easily in their bronze medal contest, outscoring the limping Spaniard.
Nikpai placed second in the World Taekwondo Federation's world qualifying event in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam last year.
The win brings him a US$50,000 prize from a mobile phone company in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan will get another chance at a medal in taekwondo. Nesar Ahmad Bahave is competing in a heavier weight class.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
TKD Olympic Schedule
Taekwondo Event Schedule-Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
July.27-Aug.19
08:00-22:00
Athletes Training
Capital Institute of Physical Education Training hall B
Aug. 18
09:00-08:00
Technical Officials Training and Practice
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
09:00-10:00
Head of Team Meeting
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
10:30-12:00
Drawing of Lots
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 19
09:00-18:00
Technical Officials Training and Practice
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
16:00-17:00
Weigh-in for athletes in Men’s under 58kg & Women’s under 49kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 20
09:00-21:04
Competition for Men’s under 58kg & Women’s under 49kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
08:00-22:00
Athletes Training
Capital Institute of Physical Education Training hall B
16:00-17:00
Weigh-in for athletes in Men’s under 68kg & Women’s under 57kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 21
09:00-21:04
Competition for Men’s under 68kg & Women’s under 57kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
08:00-22:00
Athletes Training
Capital Institute of Physical Education Training hall B
16:00-17:00
Weigh-in for athletes in Men’s under 80kg & Women’s under 67kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 22
09:00-21:04
Competition for Men’s under 80kg & Women’s under 67kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
08:00-22:00
Athletes Training
Capital Institute of Physical Education Training hall B
16:00-17:00
Weigh-in for athletes in Men’s over 80kg & Women’s over 67kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 23
09:00-21:04
Competition for Men’s over 80kg & Women’s over 67kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
For more 2008 Taekwondo Olympic info, visit these links:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/taekwondo/index.html
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/
July.27-Aug.19
08:00-22:00
Athletes Training
Capital Institute of Physical Education Training hall B
Aug. 18
09:00-08:00
Technical Officials Training and Practice
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
09:00-10:00
Head of Team Meeting
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
10:30-12:00
Drawing of Lots
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 19
09:00-18:00
Technical Officials Training and Practice
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
16:00-17:00
Weigh-in for athletes in Men’s under 58kg & Women’s under 49kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 20
09:00-21:04
Competition for Men’s under 58kg & Women’s under 49kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
08:00-22:00
Athletes Training
Capital Institute of Physical Education Training hall B
16:00-17:00
Weigh-in for athletes in Men’s under 68kg & Women’s under 57kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 21
09:00-21:04
Competition for Men’s under 68kg & Women’s under 57kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
08:00-22:00
Athletes Training
Capital Institute of Physical Education Training hall B
16:00-17:00
Weigh-in for athletes in Men’s under 80kg & Women’s under 67kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 22
09:00-21:04
Competition for Men’s under 80kg & Women’s under 67kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
08:00-22:00
Athletes Training
Capital Institute of Physical Education Training hall B
16:00-17:00
Weigh-in for athletes in Men’s over 80kg & Women’s over 67kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
Aug. 23
09:00-21:04
Competition for Men’s over 80kg & Women’s over 67kg
Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium
For more 2008 Taekwondo Olympic info, visit these links:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/taekwondo/index.html
http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/
Monday, July 28, 2008
Taekwondo Pool Party
All taekwondo students, family, girlfriends, boyfriends are invited to the 1st Annual Taekwondo Pool Party!
When? Saturday, August 9th, 2008
1:00pm - whenever
Where? John McCrackin's House
Bring a swim suit, towel, something to drink, and a dish to pass
The sign-up sheet is in the gym
When? Saturday, August 9th, 2008
1:00pm - whenever
Where? John McCrackin's House
Bring a swim suit, towel, something to drink, and a dish to pass
The sign-up sheet is in the gym
Monday, July 14, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Foot, Fist Way (movie 2008)
Movie review from www.variety.com
The Foot Fist Way
By JOHN ANDERSON
Read other reviews about this film
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Danny McBride puts more than his foot in his mouth in low-budget kung-fu comedy 'The Foot Fist Way,' directed by Jody Hill.
More than one option (Person) Danny McBride Story By, Executive Producer, Actor (Person) Danny McBride Actor, Director, Screenplay
A You Know I Can't Kiss You presentation. Produced by Erin Gates, Robert Hill, Jody Hill, Jennifer Chikes. Executive producer, Paul Hill. Directed by Jody Hill. Screenplay, Hill, Danny McBride, Ben Best. Fred Simmons - Danny McBrideSuzie Simmons - Mary Jane BosticChuck Truck" Wallace - Ben BestJulio - Spencer MorenoHenry - Carlos Lopez IVMike McAlister - Jody Hill
The character of Fred Simmons is a Cliff Clavin-esque sensei deluxe in "The Foot Fist Way," a low-budget, low-flying farce a la "Napoleon Dynamite" or "Jackass: The Movie." A film crying out to be discovered by midnight movie mavens, "Foot Fist" will require delicate handling to alchemize its unsmelted comedy into B.O. gold. But in the hands of those trained in the art of zen movie promotion, the pic could find its aud.
The key to the movie is the utter transparency of Simmons (a wonderful Danny McBride), a self-delusional fraud on almost every level. Yes, he does know the Korean martial art of Tae Kwan Do (the film's title is the English translation) and teaches it in his strip-mall dojo to a wide-range of inexplicably devoted students. But he hasn't acquired the virtues usually associated with karate --physical prowess or meditative contemplation.
Betrayed by his wife, Suzie (the adroitly bimbo-esque Mary Jane Bostic), he is not above taking out his frustrations on a 7-year-old dojo student, making an awkward pass at a female client or boasting about his own talents in a manner so bogus it's laughable.
How laughable is the question. Simmons will make audiences cringe -- but there's undeniable humor in his blithely unaware repulsiveness.
To the credit of the screenplay, penned by first-time helmer Jody Hill, McBride and Ben Best (who plays Chuck "The Truck" Wallace), Simmons isn't saddled with easy malapropisms or lazy verbal missteps. The character's inarticulateness is dead-on natural and annoying, and betrays him at every turn.
Displaying a flair for breathtaking slapstick -- some of the physical abuse is so over-the-top it hurts -- Hill shot his film in North Carolina, mostly with first-timers who provide credible support for the movie's seat-of-the-pants feel. Completed in 19 days, "Foot Fist Way" is roughed out, grainy, and at times surrenders to a home movie aesthetic, but this is appropriate given the slapdash qualities of Fred's life.
Finding his hero, a Chuck Norris knockoff, cozying up to his wife leads to the predictable climax -- this is a kung-fu film, after all -- but it's a conclusion that's redemptive and outright hilarious.
More than one option
(Person) Robert Hill Composer, Music, Song (Person) Robert Hill Grip (Person) Robert Hill Actor (Person) Robert Hill Assistant Props, Painter, Property Master Assistant (Person) Robert Hill Executive Consultant(Person) Robert Hill Assistant Camera, Assistant Camera Operator, Assistant Editor (Person) Robert Hill
Producer More than one option (Person) Paul Hill Actor, Best Boy, Camera Operator (Person) Paul Hill
Art Department, Digital Effects Artist, Visual Effects (Person) Paul Hill Editor (Person) Paul Hill Executive Producer (Person) Paul Hill Actor Camera (color), Brian Mandle; editors, Zene Baker, Jeff Seibenick; music, Pyramid; production designer, Randy Gambill; art director, Gia Ruiz; sound, Ryan Blaine, Joey Stephens; associate producer, David C. Cook.
Reviewed at Los Angeles Film Festival, June 24, 2006. (Also in Sundance Film Festival.) Running time: 87 MIN.
Variety is striving to present the most thorough review database. To report inaccuracies in review credits, please click here. We do not currently list below-the-line credits, although we hope to include them in the future. Please note we may not respond to every suggestion. Your assistance is appreciated.
The Foot Fist Way
By JOHN ANDERSON
Read other reviews about this film
Powered By
Danny McBride puts more than his foot in his mouth in low-budget kung-fu comedy 'The Foot Fist Way,' directed by Jody Hill.
More than one option (Person) Danny McBride Story By, Executive Producer, Actor (Person) Danny McBride Actor, Director, Screenplay
A You Know I Can't Kiss You presentation. Produced by Erin Gates, Robert Hill, Jody Hill, Jennifer Chikes. Executive producer, Paul Hill. Directed by Jody Hill. Screenplay, Hill, Danny McBride, Ben Best. Fred Simmons - Danny McBrideSuzie Simmons - Mary Jane BosticChuck Truck" Wallace - Ben BestJulio - Spencer MorenoHenry - Carlos Lopez IVMike McAlister - Jody Hill
The character of Fred Simmons is a Cliff Clavin-esque sensei deluxe in "The Foot Fist Way," a low-budget, low-flying farce a la "Napoleon Dynamite" or "Jackass: The Movie." A film crying out to be discovered by midnight movie mavens, "Foot Fist" will require delicate handling to alchemize its unsmelted comedy into B.O. gold. But in the hands of those trained in the art of zen movie promotion, the pic could find its aud.
The key to the movie is the utter transparency of Simmons (a wonderful Danny McBride), a self-delusional fraud on almost every level. Yes, he does know the Korean martial art of Tae Kwan Do (the film's title is the English translation) and teaches it in his strip-mall dojo to a wide-range of inexplicably devoted students. But he hasn't acquired the virtues usually associated with karate --physical prowess or meditative contemplation.
Betrayed by his wife, Suzie (the adroitly bimbo-esque Mary Jane Bostic), he is not above taking out his frustrations on a 7-year-old dojo student, making an awkward pass at a female client or boasting about his own talents in a manner so bogus it's laughable.
How laughable is the question. Simmons will make audiences cringe -- but there's undeniable humor in his blithely unaware repulsiveness.
To the credit of the screenplay, penned by first-time helmer Jody Hill, McBride and Ben Best (who plays Chuck "The Truck" Wallace), Simmons isn't saddled with easy malapropisms or lazy verbal missteps. The character's inarticulateness is dead-on natural and annoying, and betrays him at every turn.
Displaying a flair for breathtaking slapstick -- some of the physical abuse is so over-the-top it hurts -- Hill shot his film in North Carolina, mostly with first-timers who provide credible support for the movie's seat-of-the-pants feel. Completed in 19 days, "Foot Fist Way" is roughed out, grainy, and at times surrenders to a home movie aesthetic, but this is appropriate given the slapdash qualities of Fred's life.
Finding his hero, a Chuck Norris knockoff, cozying up to his wife leads to the predictable climax -- this is a kung-fu film, after all -- but it's a conclusion that's redemptive and outright hilarious.
More than one option
(Person) Robert Hill Composer, Music, Song (Person) Robert Hill Grip (Person) Robert Hill Actor (Person) Robert Hill Assistant Props, Painter, Property Master Assistant (Person) Robert Hill Executive Consultant(Person) Robert Hill Assistant Camera, Assistant Camera Operator, Assistant Editor (Person) Robert Hill
Producer More than one option (Person) Paul Hill Actor, Best Boy, Camera Operator (Person) Paul Hill
Art Department, Digital Effects Artist, Visual Effects (Person) Paul Hill Editor (Person) Paul Hill Executive Producer (Person) Paul Hill Actor Camera (color), Brian Mandle; editors, Zene Baker, Jeff Seibenick; music, Pyramid; production designer, Randy Gambill; art director, Gia Ruiz; sound, Ryan Blaine, Joey Stephens; associate producer, David C. Cook.
Reviewed at Los Angeles Film Festival, June 24, 2006. (Also in Sundance Film Festival.) Running time: 87 MIN.
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Friday, May 23, 2008
Nationals
2008 AAU Taekwondo National Championships
The deadline date for hotel reservations at the Madison Concourse hotel--our headquarters--is June 1st. After that date they will not guarantee the room availability or the contracted rate! Make your plans now!
So far over 7500 athletes have qualified to compete in Madison.
With 38 qualifiers completed and 2 to go we anticipate a great event.
Click the Events tab on the left for a list of remaining events.
We look forward to seeing you there.
For information on Travel to and around Madison
Click Here
For information on dates, schedules, online registration, etc.
Click Here
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED!
The deadline date for hotel reservations at the Madison Concourse hotel--our headquarters--is June 1st. After that date they will not guarantee the room availability or the contracted rate! Make your plans now!
So far over 7500 athletes have qualified to compete in Madison.
With 38 qualifiers completed and 2 to go we anticipate a great event.
Click the Events tab on the left for a list of remaining events.
We look forward to seeing you there.
For information on Travel to and around Madison
Click Here
For information on dates, schedules, online registration, etc.
Click Here
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED!
Friday, May 9, 2008
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