COMPETITION
(Kyong Gi)

As in the Olympic slogan of "Faster, Higher, and Stronger," Taekwondo competition encourages competitors to improve the level of human capacity. Taekwondo competition is a form of education that takes place through the practice of skills and their application in competition, based on traditional values. The fundamental significance of Taekwondo competition lies in the fact that the competition ring provides a venue where following the rules and doing one's best are rewarded. The site of competition is a place to learn the way to achieve harmony and perfection of the mind, body and spirit through the discovery of true self. This is possible through the struggle within self and against the opponent.

Competition is a method of developing the full potential of the human body, both physically and technically. Taekwondo competition pursues the development and integration of fitness, technique and strategy as well as a sense of humility and sportsmanship.

The ultimate ideal of Taekwondo practice is to achieve a state of mind in which the performer is acutely aware of the endlessly changing competition environment and can effortlessly react to such changes. This state of mind becomes possible through the mastery of a broad range of offensive and defensive Taekwondo skills.  

(Extract from 'Dynamic Taekwondo', p29~30)