Last month I wrote about the development of the international Poomsae movement and Poomsae scoring. To make Poomsae more attractive for spectators, we should give the presentation part of the scoring more weight in the future. But this is not the only way to heighten the audience’s interest. Poomsae performed at competition level is demanding for players, coaches and referees. For fans and connoisseurs it is very entertaining to watch the same Poomsae displayed again and again by different players. For the inexperienced spectator it can be rather tiring. He can’t appreciate the subtleties and art of Poomsae. But if we want to make Poomsae a success we need to appeal to all kinds of spectators – insiders and newcomers alike. What we need are special showpieces that are performed at competition level only.

A beginning was made with the new Poomsae Hanryu and Bigak, which were developed for the finals of high profile competitions. But in the long run two sets of special competition Poomsae for finals will not be enough. We have players from youths to senior masters, we have men and women – so we should have more differentiation in our competition Poomsae to give all players the chance to display their skills perfectly. With senior players for example, the Poomsae competition should not concentrate on difficult and physically demanding techniques, but on the display of power, gained from years of training and experience. At the same time, a greater range of Poomsae will be better for the audience.
It might be a good idea to include a free section, that is just three or four movements long, in this kind of competitive Poomsae. So the player can show off his best techniques and develop his own ideas. Personally I am not in favor of the so called “creative Poomsae” for competitions, as it would be almost impossible to give the referees a guideline as to how to judge this kind of Poomsae. But a comparatively short free section can be handled by experienced referees. Another thing that would appeal to the audience is examples of breaking included in Poomsae. There is hardly a Taekwondo demonstration that does without breaking. Why not use this spectacular part of Taekwondo to attract the attention of the public to Poomsae?

Until semifinals our traditional doboks are fine, but for the finals and for the Poomsae competition a free choice of uniforms would be more apt. Even make up could be allowed here. The contrast between plain doboks and individual uniforms would certainly add some excitement and show that the finals of a competition are something very special. It is an honor for every player to reach the finals and he has every right to express this with a special uniform and a special Poomsae.
Our Poomsae competitions have made a great development in a short time. But there is more potential. Our tradition is important. But if we want to establish Poomsae as a spectator sport we need innovation and variation as well.