Taekwondo in Search of Trust: Could Technology Hold the Key?

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, 44% of matches in which Instant Video Replay (IVR) was used, resulted in the referee’s original decision being overturned.

The 2024 Paris Olympics exposed Taekwondo’s growing reliance on technology to safeguard fair play. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching examined 156 matches and revealed that in 44% of rounds where Instant Video Replay (IVR) was used, the referee’s original decision was overturned. In concrete terms, 85 reviews directly changed the outcome of the matches.

The vulnerability of the PSS KPNP

The same study shows that appeals to IVR tend to increase at decisive moments in the competition. This trend reflects a lack of confidence in KPNP’s Protective Scoring System (PSS), which sometimes fails to register legitimate hits or, conversely, awards points without valid contact.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, it was obvious to the public and specialists that there were matches with a high volume of strikes, both to the torso and the head, that were not reflected on the scoreboard. Not only were valid points omitted, but in many cases the KPNP PSS system did not even register the hits. Added to this was an operational decision: to speed up the event, no preliminary tests were carried out in the match area before the start of each match. This omission resulted in multiple fights where the system failed to detect contact, compromising the transparency and credibility of the results.

Given these inconsistencies, coaches used IVR as a strategic tool to compensate for scoring errors. This situation highlights a worrying reality: system failures, combined with human interpretation, continue to determine results at the highest level of the sport.

Artificial intelligence as a reliable auditor

At the same time, new investigations are exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support real-time decision-making.A study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living analyzed 241 cases of IVR using a model based on ChatGPT-4.5 and OpenPose. The results showed a 93.65% match with human referees’ decisions and a reduction of more than 80% in review times.

The proposed model is simple: AI performs the preliminary analysis and delivers an objective assessment, while referees simply confirm or rectify the decision. Such a system would not only speed up reviews but also significantly reduce subjectivity.

The Poomsae dilemma

In Poomsae, the problem is even more acute. Unlike sparring, which at least has some technological support, Poomsae remains entirely in the hands of human referees. The absence of objective metrics, coupled with recurring suspicions of favoritism, make it particularly vulnerable to controversy.

A new solution is currently being developed: a system of high-resolution cameras located at four angles, combined with AI algorithms capable of measuring postures, angles, and precision in relation to standardized parameters. If implemented, Poomsae could evolve into a discipline evaluated with objective criteria, largely eliminating the margin for subjective interpretation.

Conclusion

Each wave of technological innovation has progressively reduced the need for referees’ direct intervention in Taekwondo: first with PSS and IVR, and now with the arrival of AI-based tools.

The key question is inevitable:

What role will referees play in a sport that is rapidly moving towards full objectivity?

The answer remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the legitimacy of refereeing in Taekwondo is under intense scrutiny. The future seems to point to a hybrid model in which AI plays the central role, while referees are relegated to an almost residual function.

About The Author

MASTKD

MASTKD: Media About Sports Taekwondo. Worldwide Leader on Taekwondo Information. «SINCE 2003»

See author's posts