This is the third issue of TkdTimes. The Free eZine of The Taekwondo Network. To help me make this newsletter as helpful and relevant as possible, I would enjoy your feedback. Simply email me your comments to TkdTimes@taekwondo-network.com. I really appreciate it when you contact me directly.

If you enjoy TkdTimes, please email this copy to a friend. You can help me spread the joy of tae kwon do around the world. The more of us who walk the path, the greater the journey.

Beijing Olympics 08-08-08

That is why the Chinese government has chosen August 8, 2008 at eight-o-clock to begin the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

The Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium is the venue for Taekwondo August 20-23.

According to the official 2008 Beijing website the Competition Format is as follows:

In the taekwondo competition, each weight category will consist of a single elimination tournament with a repechage for the bronze medal contest.The winner of the final contest will receive the gold medal and the loser will receive the silver medal.

If anyone can email me with the meaning of the word "repechage" I would appreciate it. It is used several times over in the Competition Format document.

The Taekwondo qualifying events began in September of 2007 with an Olympic Committee deadline of July 23rd for final entry forms.

The United States is proud to be sending the Lopez siblings to compete in the 29th Olympiad. Read about them in the New York Times article by clicking the link above. (Thank you Alan B. for sending me the link.)

Some athletes are already having trouble with the air in Beijing. Read my blog article posted last March about this concern. 08-08-08 Olympics. This could be a real problem for any athlete, especially those competing outdoors.

Korea was Grand

This trip was really a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am profoundly grateful that my family and boss let me go with no questions asked. My husband actually said he didn't enjoy being a single parent during that time and my sons really missed me for probably the first time. I felt much more appreciated when I got back home.

Maybe I should make this an annual thing?

The Third Annual World Taekwondo Culture Expo is already being planned. This year there were approximately 2000 people in attendance up from around 700 last year.

The Operating Committee discovered their limit in being able to effectively cope with the size of the event. I am hearing that next year, the number of participants will be limited to somewhere around 1500 and it will be a first come first served protocol.

If you have any thoughts about attending next year, make your mind up early. I would definitely recommend this event. It was a wonderfully rich cultural experience. It is truly not to be missed.

There is so much to tell about the trip that I am going to go back to my blog and slowly fill in all the missing pieces. I had very limited internet access once I left Seoul and was not able to post as often as I would have liked.

Feel free to check the blog occasionally to catch some of the memorable moments that were left out at the time.

Alternative Health

I told you in the last issue of TkdTimes that I recently purchased another website that I really liked. As you know, martial artists are often taken with alternative medicine and alternative health regimens as part of a healthy lifestyle.

After all, a serious martial artist is always trying toincrease their mental and physical health. With that thoughtin mind, I found a website for sale and bought it. It'scalled...

Alternatively-Healthier

It's a nice little site with loads of interestinginformation on herbs, herbal remedies, vitamin supplements,teas and more.

I am slowly beginning to add pages as I do more research. I've checked out some books from my local library and bookstores to fill in the missing pieces. I also have plans on adding other topics on alternative health that the previous owner never touched on like chiropractic care, acupressure and acupuncture.

Check it out and tell me what you think.

What's Happening at
The Taekwondo Network

Lots of visitors to The Taekwondo Network like to share their style. I've created a poll so we can share and compare.

Take the Poll now by visiting the tae kwon do styles page and make yourself heard.

Here are the current standings:

WTF 26.2%
ITF 23.8%
ATA 16.7%
ITA 7.1%
Tang soo do 4.8%
Moo duk kwan 2.4%
Oh do kwan 9.5%
Chung do kwan 7.1%
Other 2.4%

Don't be left out.

Your Feedback

I think it's important to share information and opinions.So I have created an area on Taekwondo-Network whereyou can share your questions or comments with all visitors.Please visit Your Feedback and leave your story for everyone to comment on.

I will create a page on the site with your story like the ones you have read here in the past and you can get direct feedback from other taekwondoists.

As always, leave me your comments as well.

Train hard and reap the benefits.

Kam sa ham ni dah,

Kalynn