Thursdayline Peter, a taekwondo instructor with the Pan Africa Martial Arts International (PANAMAI) Club, on Friday, debunked claims that the sport was too dangerous for female athletes.
Peter said that if the rules guiding the sport were diligently applied, no harm would befall the athletes, irrespective of their gender.
She added that the provision of protective guards during training and competitions had drastically reduced the incidence of injuries in the sport.
The instructor stressed that the shin, chest, groin, head, breast, foot guards and hand gloves, were fundamental equipment to make the sport safe for the athletes.
“The impression that taekwondo is too dangerous for women is not right, because it has regulations guiding its practise,” she said. “We also make sure that athletes are thoroughly acquainted with the rules during their training sessions. All sports have their own areas of risk, however, we try to reduce the danger by ensuring that athletes adhere strictly to the rules during any form of encounter.”
According to her, an athlete is not expected to hit or kick an opponent who is already on the mat, stressing that the fight would be put on hold by the referee.
“Such situation is inevitable during competitions, so what the referee does immediately is to stop the fight for a while, so that the incapacitated athlete could recuperate,’’ she added.
Peter urged budding female taekwondoists to make a career in the sport and disregard such unfounded and negative assumptions about the sport.
She stressed that taekwondo was good for self defence, in addition to the attendant benefits that could be derived from the sport.
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