Say I was a 3rd Dan in either ITF or TAGB and I wanted to have a shot at competing in the Olympics. Obviously, the style of Taekwondo practised in teh Olympics is WTF, so I would have to become proficient in that style of fighting.

But, as it is the British Taekwondo Control Board (the UK WTF organisation) who regulate and select the British team, how would I go about qualifying for selection?

Of course, taking into account that starting again from white belt and taking years to get a high enough Dan grade to qualify would not be feasible?

My guess is the first thing you need to do to be eligible is to have your Dan rank recognized my the Kukkiwon. You'll more than likely have to be evaluated by an instuctor who holds Dan rank under the Kukkiwon, and you'll probably only be able to placement test into 1st Dan.

I was told by several WTF clubs I could learn their patterns and go straight for the 1st dan test. I did hate the patterns though. You might want to try a local level competition before diving straight into the olympics?

Matthew Lloyd wrote:
I was told by several WTF clubs I could learn their patterns and go straight for the 1st dan test. I did hate the patterns though. You might want to try a local level competition before diving straight into the olympics?

i imagine she'll have to go through some sort of qualifyer for the olympic team as well, but this wouldn't hurt.

You will also have to sell your soul and do WTF sparring, can you live with that?

Of course, I was speaking hypothetically; I don't have any actual ambitions to the Olympics!

But it does make one wonder as to your chances being dictated by what system, association you belong to?

i don't think you have even a snowball's chance unless you are ranked under the WTF.

i have never sparred with a WTF fighter under their rules and i can just imagine punching them in the head without thinking about it, old habits die hard as they say