TOKYO —Ever since a series of controversial matches in Beijing in 2008 threatened taekwondo’s future on the Olympic stage, the Korean combat sport has been busy proving its worth at subsequent Games, largely with the help of technological innovations.
London 2012 saw the introduction of instant video replay and the “PSS,” or Protector and Scoring System, in which electronic sensors built into protective gear were automatically linked to the scoreboard to record valid points and make scoring fairer.
Rio four years later adopted an octagonal mat – favored by mixed martial arts – to speed up fights and make it more engaging for spectators.
That tradition will continue at the …
Keep on reading: Taekwondo: Korean combat sport looks to put best foot forward