Learn the rules, you'll get more fun from Taekwondo

Q: Korea, the founding nation of Taekwondo, will compete for its first gold medal in the event on Thursday at the Sydney Olympics, where the sport was selected as an official event. How many weight classes are there and how does one score?

A: There are a total of 8 weight classes, 4 each for the women's and men's side (58kg, 68kg, 80kg, over 80kg for men; 49kg, 57kg, 67kg, over 67kg for women).

Korea will compete in 4 weight classes (men's 68kg, 80kg; women's 57kg, 67kg). In order to prevent the monopolization of medals by one nation, each nation is allowed to only compete in 2 weight classes in the men's and women's competition. A point is scored by hitting an opponent's face or body (stomach region and side ribs) hard enough to hear a noise. A point is accepted only when 2 out of 3 judges raise their flags. Hitting below the waist is a penalty. In the finals, there are three 3-minute rounds and in case of a tie a sudden death is employed where the first person that scores wins. Up till the finals, the referee will decide the winner.