Other Sports

Iranian taekwondo official appeals to WTF's reform

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-05-20 15:34

Iran TKD Federation president S. M. Pouladgar called for a reform in World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) on Sunday after Iranian protests against judges turned down twice within two days at the Beijing taekwondo worlds.

"TKD needs international thinking. Only one country make the rules. I think more people and more countries should be involved in making the rules in TKD," suggested Pouladgar on Sunday.

"I think we can use this incident (alleged unjust judges over Hadi Saei Bonehkohal in under 72-kilo semifinal) to do the change and we need to do the change."

Hadi, the Olympic champion in Athens, was disqualified for being out of bounds in sudden death in his match against Afghanistan's Nesar Ahmad.

His coach Hassan Zolghadri was irate, lifting his arms and shouting at the referees over the controversial penalty.

Hadi pledged his step on the bound was on moving and didn't stand there for a split of second, so he should not be deducted any point, but after 30-minute discussion and review of the tape, arbitration refused to change.

"I only say one thing about Hadi. For an Olympic champion like Hadi, the WTF should let the experienced judges on. If WTF treats its champion this way, it can only lose its stand in future development," added Pouladgar.

"Those people judging the match are also in the administration of taekwondo. Referees rule the regulation over past years, but they are changing it constantly.

"It seems we don't have to wait a year for the rule to change. Before making any change to rules, we should have an international seminar. In last competition we have some rules, and this competition we have different rules including referees.

"If only one country can win, I think the South Koreans are not teaching well what taekwondo is."

Hadi claimed Saturday his winning point in the third round was deprived for a referee's delay of pushing the button.

"I think it's the worst thing that could have happened. This is dangerous for any sport, because fair play is so important, especially in taekwondo," complained Hadi. "I should be the champion. They shouldn't treat me this way."

He ended up sharing bronze with Tommy Mollet from the Netherlands. Hadi was previously named the "Best Taekwondo Athlete of All Time" by the international board.

In the opening day, Omid Gholam Zadeh Asl also disagreed with judges in his overtime loss to Cuban Gessler Viera Abreu in under 67-kilo final.