The Russian Taekwondo and Para-Taekwondo Championships started recently in the capital of North Ossetia. It is the first time such an event has been held in Vladikavkaz.
In 2000 Taekwondo became an Olympic sport. So now sportsmen are preparing for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics in London and in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The championship opened with Ossetian dances, mixed with mysterious eastern dances and Russian folk dances. Then competitions were opened in three weight classes.
A team of umpires with new rules and an electronic system with a video repeat function eliminated the possibility of bias or doubtful moments. It promoted good cooperation, which is important, as Vladikavkaz is an elimination round for the Olympic Games. There can't be any mistakes.
Tamara Bunturi, Vladikavkaz. Specially for VK
