By By Stan Caldwell / special to The Star
May 30, 2002
A new entry in this year's State Games of Mississippi will get an early start when the Tae Kwon Do competition takes place on Saturday.
Tae Kwon Do is a Korean form of karate, the predominantly Japanese martial art. The Tae Kwon Do competition replaces judo on the State Games roster of events.
Roberts, who operates two Tae Kwon Do schools in Hattiesburg, says the latest information he has received from the State Games office indicates that this event may stay on the schedule for awhile.
The Tae Kwon Do competition will be held at Northcrest Baptist Church on North Hills Street near Dixie Bowl Lanes. Registration and weigh-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., with competition beginning at 11 a.m.
Competition will consist of three different classes: International Sparring, Points Sparring and Form.
International Sparring follows international rules of competition, which includes mandatory chest protectors.
Points sparring will be based on standard Mississippi Karate Association rules, which mandate no groin kicks, no sweep kicks and no kicks from the back.
In addition, the children's divisions will not allow any face or head contact. However, for adults with brown belts and above, head contact will be allowed, as long as contact is limited to head areas covered by helmets.
Competitors are awarded one point for each blow to the body and two points for successful kicks to the body.
Form competition is judged on the basis of style.
There will be seven children's age classifications: 4-and-under; 5-6; 7-8; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14; 15-17. There will be classes for adult men, adult women and seniors (age 35 and over). Those under age 5 will compete in all ranks; the 5-6 group will compete in two divisions, based on level of expertise.
In all, there are six rank divisions in competition, ranging from white belt to black belt.