Seoul Olympics 1988

**Odacon** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 11:50am

Originally Posted by Matt Bernius

From the TKD perspective, there's an interesting story in terms that it's at this point where TKD from a popularity standpoint, passes the Japanese arts that spawned it. Becoming the "official" Asian Striking Martial Art of the Olympics was a big flip off to Karate (and to the Chinese as well... note that Wu Shu isn't making it in).

- Matt

Wushu isn't a striking art, and the Japanese have Judo, which basically whips it out and pisses all over TKD. Not that TKD doesn't like that sort of stuff, or so I hear anyway......

**Matt Bernius** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 12:47pm

Originally Posted by odacon

Wushu isn't a striking art, and the Japanese have Judo, which basically whips it out and pisses all over TKD. Not that TKD doesn't like that sort of stuff, or so I hear anyway......

Exactly. The Japanese have "Eastern" grappling -- Judo (the match to Grecco Roman). The presence of TKD blocks Karate from entering. Hence it's the Korean MA that is the Eastern Striking Martial Art of the Olympics (the match to Boxing). The significance is that (in theory and more so outside of the US) the presence of Olympic medals gives TKD a higher level of global awareness and legitimization than Karate. The Olympics and World Cup are the pinnacle comps in that respect.

While Wu Shu isn't necessarily striking, it's considered close enough to TKD that it was blocked from entering the olympics. Which means that Korea and Japan both have recognized Olympic National (martial) arts. China doesn't have one. That's a big nationalistic slap in the face. The presence of TKD is much the same thing to Karate.

These are nationalism issues rather than Martial Arts issues.

- Matt

***DerAuslander*** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 12:52pm

MB is right.

I'm no proponent of Olympic TKD, but it's presence in the Olympics means that there will be no Asian striking art entering any time soon, be it Karate, Muay Thai, whatnot.

I was actually hoping TKD would be removed from the Olympics during the scandals two years ago.

**Odacon** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 12:55pm

I understand. Kinda.

**meng_mao** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 12:58pm

Originally Posted by DerAuslander108

I was actually hoping TKD would be removed from the Olympics during the scandals two years ago.

which scandals?

**Odacon** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 1:22pm

Originally Posted by meng_mao

which scandals?

The fact that it became an olympic sport? No seriouly though all piss-taking aside the olympics is about pushing your body to it's absolute limit. Every other olympic discipline is all or nothing, can Taekwondo really claim to be the same? Honest answers please.

**meng_mao** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 1:30pm

Originally Posted by odacon

Every other olympic discipline is all or nothing, can Taekwondo really claim to be the same? Honest answers please.

Equestrian
Synchronized swimming
Gymnastics (rhythmic)

oh yeah, what scandals?

**Matt Bernius** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 1:37pm

It's also important to understand that the olympics have little to do with sports and everything to do with Nationalism and National recognition.

- Matt

**Scrapper** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 1:48pm

The scandal where the organizer of the TKD events that year admitted on his deathbed that korean fighters were favored and were scored points liberally to ensure their victory.

***DerAuslander*** · Posted On: 5/01/2006 2:30pm

Originally Posted by odacon

No seriouly though all piss-taking aside the olympics is about pushing your body to it's absolute limit. Every other olympic discipline is all or nothing, can Taekwondo really claim to be the same?

Uhhhh...yeah...

Get back to me when you've trained in Olympic Taekwondo for international competition.