The first steps of the competitor's path in Taekwondo athletes

Starting a hobby

In taekwondo athletes, everyone starts in basic groups, from which coaches guide them forward. Already experienced competitors who continue their previous hobby in Taekwondo athletes move directly to competition groups. You can move from the basic groups to a try-out amateur match after only a few weeks of practicing. Basic skills are practiced in basic groups, which provide a good foundation for competitive hobbies and sports in the future.

Amateur competition groups

After just a short hobby, the hobbyist can move to hobbyist racing groups. Their purpose is to familiarize the enthusiast with competitive taekwondo and the basic skills of sports. The threshold for the groups is low and participation in them is included in the basic hobby fee. In taekwondo, you compete both in a match and in movement series, and both have their own groups. In the beginning, it is possible and absolutely useful to familiarize yourself with both forms of competition.

Indoor competitions

You can participate in indoor competitions if you have practiced for about half a year in basic groups or have participated in amateur competition groups. Absolute beginners can also participate, but mastering the basic skills gives a better basis to benefit from indoor competitions. If the enthusiast does not yet want to try fighting or performing a set of moves, just coming and watching the event gives a good starting point for participating next time.

The idea of indoor competitions is to provide a way to get to know competitions in a familiar indoor environment. The rules are applied according to the experience level of the participants. At the beginning of the event, we warm up and go over the basics of the rules. The intricacies of the rules are clarified and how to act in a competitive situation is reviewed as the event progresses.

Competitions in children's and hobbyists' series

In the actual competition events, the athletes are divided into different series according to their experience level, and in the match, they are also divided into weight classes. The rules are applied to be suitable for beginners, e.g. head contact is not used in the beginner's series. At the competition event, the coaches help and support the enthusiast, trying to make the competition experience a positive one. Everyone is nervous about their first performances, but overcoming the tension and doing your own performance gives you the confidence to participate in more challenging tournaments.

Racing groups

After the athlete has tried his wings in amateur competition groups, indoor competitions and possibly also in real competitions, he can move on to competition groups. Commitment and training volumes increase as the hobbyist develops towards an athlete's lifestyle. Competition groups offer more and more training opportunities and the training fee is slightly higher. In addition, the members of the competition group have at their disposal e.g. free training sessions for independent training, support from a physio and occupational therapist and a gym at reduced prices.

Coaches support training and, especially for younger people, parental support becomes more and more important.

Competing in ranking series at home and tournaments abroad

Once the start has been reached, the athlete has an open path all the way to the World Championships (match and movement series) and the Olympics (match). However, success requires perseverance and success at the top is behind hard work. Competing at the top national and international level is rewarding, however, and the acquired experiences carry far into later civilian life!