Taekwondo Olympic Style Sparring

Taekwondo Olympic Style Sparring

The #1 NUMBER ONE concern of the Battle of Columbus and its officials is to maintain the safety of all athletes, coaches, spectators, officials and any other individuals involved, participating in, or otherwise related to the tournament. The Battle of Columbus/Martial Arts World Games will use the AAU Olympic Style Sparring Competition Rules as a GUIDELINE (not a strict rule) including the following exceptions:

• age, weight, and rank brackets may be combined to create competitive divisions
• all black belt competitors will use Daedo Electronic Protection Scoring System
• foot gloves, foot pads, and Dynamic Kicks will be allowed in non-Black Belt divisions
• there are no additional points awarded for spinning head kicks in the Youth Safety divisions (all Belt ranks ages 5-14, and colored belts ages 15-17)

Generation 1 Daedo Systems will be used for ALL Black Belt divisions. The Battle will provide E-Hogu and E-Helmet for black belt divisions, all other required equipment (socks, shin pads, groin guard, gloves, forearm pads, mouth guard) is the responsibility of the competitor. Generation 1 Daedo Socks are the responsibility of all Black Belt competitors; socks will not be available at the venue. Gen 1 Socks can be purchased from TKDSCORE.COM. Rentals or loaners WILL NOT be available on-site.

Non-black belt sparring competitors are responsible for all required equipment (helmet, hogu, mouth guard, forearm pads, gloves, groin guard, shin protectors, foot protectors). Helmets may be white or match the assigned hogu color (red, blue), but no other color. If you bring red/blue helmets, you must bring both as hogu color will be determined ringside. Mouth guards may be any color except red and must be in-mouth only, they may not stick out of the mouth.

Youth Safety Rules (please see Article XVII, page 27 of the 2023 AAU Taekwondo Rule Book) apply to all belt ranks ages 5-14, and colored belt ranks ages 15-17. Head kicks must be strictly controlled and light contact. The center referee has sole discretion on whether a kick is light and controlled or excessive and uncontrolled. The Battle encourages head kicks, but discourages spinning head kicks, in Youth Safety divisions, as they are harder to control. Because of this, no additional points will be awarded for spinning head kicks in Youth Safety divisions.

Coaches: Contestants may only have one coach with proper credentials at ringside. All coaches are required to attend a coach/referee seminar and purchase a coach pass. Those coaches who do not attend the meeting will not have protest rights throughout the course of the competition.