Mr Michael Tan referees in Korea.

March 3 - 6 2007

Michael Tan officiated at 1st Electronic Protector International Test Event.  With a low of -6 it was overcoats and beanies instead of shorts and thongs in Korea at this time of year !

The purpose of this competition was to showcase the electronic protector system (EPS) in an international environment.  If successful, the EPS would be used at the upcoming World Taekwondo Championships in May and the 2008 Olympic Games both in Beijing, China. 

However the WTF Technical Committee decided that they would not introduce the EPS until more testing and research was done.  There were too many inconsistencies with the system to rush it through.

Electronic Protectors in action for the first time.

Local Ski resort in Chun Cheon where the competition was held.

In my opinion the event was not a total failure.  The move towards EPS is definitely a move in the right direction.  When the system is working right, it will reduce a lot of problems with our current system.  Competitions as we know it will not be exactly the same between the current judging system and EPS.  There needs to be a transition phase where players have to get use to the EPS in training and local competitions.  The current EPS have all been designed base on the current WTF rules and regulations.  The WTF may need to review its rules in consultation with leading coaches in Korea and abroad.  For example, punches only require the same force as a kick.

IR's from Mexico, Israel, France at the MOOTO store.