The global governing body for taekwondo announced on Monday that it would implement several measures for fairer judging during the 2012 London Olympics and promote the sport’s international image.

The World Taekwondo Federation plans to adopt an electronic body protector and a video replay system to ensure fairer judging and transparent scoring.

The wireless system is being introduced to the Olympics for the first time, according to WTF President Choue Chung-won. Choue said that the technology has been tested before at international matches including the World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Egypt last April.

The electronic scoring system requires more force behind a kick or punch for a point to be awarded.

Also, during the Olympic bouts, which fall between Aug. 8 and 11, six video cameras will be installed to offer judges the chance to immediately rule on a scoring, when challenged. According to Choue, the WTF will publicly display a live feed of the video footage during an official replay for greater transparency. The four corners of the mat will each have a video camera, while another mobile camera will be moving around the mat and the last will be stationed directly above the match.

According to Choue, the WTF will also hold taekwondo demonstrations before and after matches to promote interest in the sport, ahead of the International Olympic Committees’ review of the sport in 2013.

During the Beijing Olympics, the sport was criticized over scoring problems and was placed on the chopping block as an official event.

Officials have also changed the point system, giving three to four points to players who land a head kick regardless of the force behind it.

The size of the mat has also been reduced from 10 by 10 meters to eight by eight meters.

By Robert  Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)