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교사 Yidan kumdo, Ildan taekwondo

Yes

One, the other or both?

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교사 Yidan kumdo, Ildan taekwondo

We did AAU for a short time but have not been involved with them for a few years now.  We have been involved in USAT for about 4 years.

Do you have any specific questions about the way each org does some thing(s) or the benefits of 1 org over the other?

I guess what I need to know is where do you hope to see this thread go?

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교사 Yidan kumdo, Ildan taekwondo

Question 1:

AAU is the Amature Athletic Union.  They are involved in many sports such as baseball, volleyball, swimming etc.  TKD is one of those many sports.

USA_ is the US Olympic Committee.  They are involved in many sports such as Figure Skating (USAFS), Track & Field (USATF), Gymnastics (USAG) etc.  USA Taekwondo (USAT) is one of those many sports.

AAU and USAT used to be very close up until a couple of years ago.  They shared board members etc.  That is not so much the case any longer.

AAU does not host any WTF sanctioned events in the US but do send their team members to WTF sanctioned events in other countries, such as the German Open, Dutch Open etc.  USAT is the host org for the US Open each year, which is a WTF sanctioned International event.  USAT is also the only organization that is allowed to send it's team members to the WTF World Championships and the WTF Jr World Championships.  Jr Worlds start today in Izmir Turkey.  Keep an eye on http://www.usa-taekwondo.us and http://www.wtf-taekwondo.tv/welcome_en.html starting today and throughout the weekend for results to roll in.

Question #2:

In order to participate in each organization's sanctioned tournaments, you must be a member of the org.  This is for insurance purposes.  I think AAU membership was $12/year when we were members.  USAT membership is $35/year.  Those prices are for athletes.  I do not know how much a club membership is in either org.  With USAT you can purchase a singel event membership for $7 if you want to only play in 1 event, such as a Natl Qualifier, Sanctioned State Championship, US Open etc.  USAT Coach memebrship is also $35 base / year but then you also need to take various courses and achieve levels of certification and those can get expensive fast.

Bottom line is to play in AAU events you must be an AAU member.  To play in USAT events, you must be a USAT member.

Something else to keep in mind is that USAT is the National Governing Body for TKD for the US Olympic Committee.  I can't tell you how many news stories I have read of kids in their teens saying that they want to be an Olympic TKD Team member but when I seach results on the USAT site I cant find any reference to their name.  THE ONLY WAY TO BE ON THE US OLYMPIC TKD TEAM IS BY JOINING USAT AND PLAYING IN THEIR EVENTS.  POINTS ARE ALREADY BEING COLLECTED FOR THE 2012 GAMES SO IF YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED TODAY IT IS LIKELY YOU WONT BE ON THE TEAM 4 YEARS FROM NOW.

Added Via Later Edit:

I also want to point out the while the AAU sends it's team to 1 or 2 international events abroad each year, there is no requirement that you be an AAU member to go to those same events on your own, since they are "open" events whereas the international events that USAT sends it's teams to are generally closed events for each countries national team members only therefore the only way to participate in those events is to be successful in USAT and be on the team.

Thank you very much for your response!  I'll look into club membership and such, but I was considering joining, but figured I'd ask if anyone had any personal experience.  I've never competed in anything higher than a local/school level, where USAT membership did not matter, but I'm getting to a point where I'd like to.

Your feedback is much appreciated!

Daniel

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교사 Yidan kumdo, Ildan taekwondo

CelticTiger wrote: Thank you very much for your response!  I'll look into club membership and such, but I was considering joining, but figured I'd ask if anyone had any personal experience.  I've never competed in anything higher than a local/school level, where USAT membership did not matter, but I'm getting to a point where I'd like to. Your feedback is much appreciated! Daniel

I've competed in both at the adult level, and been to Nationals in both. I would look at it this way.. AAU is more of the grass roots organization, they're more about the "competition experience". You can really only go as far as the AAU National Championships, they do put together a National team, that goes to some international competitions, but not at the level that USA-Taekwondo does.

In USAT, even at the "Ultra" division level, there are more serious competitors, it's the only path to the WTF World Championships and the Olympics.


One thing about USAT Nationals, if you are an Ultra division competitor, you do not have to compete in any of the national qualifiers to go to the National Championships, all other divisions do. I'm hearing rumors that in 2009 USAT will recognize state championships again.

AAU Nationals, you must qualify at a state or district qualifier, you do not have to compete in your own state or distrtict.

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Raleigh NC, 1st Dan

NCBlackBelt,

I would like to clear up a few mistakes in your post.

As of this year, 2008, USAT is recognizing State Championships as qualifying events for Nationals and Junior Olympics.  There have already been several, including in your home state of North Carolina and there are more planned between now and the next couple of weeks.  See http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/624_1991.htm for results of several state championships that have already taken place.

For these state championships, the 1st place winner is given a seed in their World Class division at Nationals or JR Olympics.  That person can also still compete in the same divison at a National qualifier if they want and if they finish 1st-3rd at a Natl Qual. they will get that higher seeded position at Nationals or Jr Olys and the 2nd place finisher at the State event will get that seeded position.  Also, there is no restriction regarding being a resident of the state should you choose to compete in a state event outside of your own state.  Finally, unlike the state championships, once you qualify in a division at a National Qualifier, you cannot compete in that same division at other Natl Qualifiers.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Also, Ultras are not the only age group that allow entry to Nationals without having gone to a National Qualifier or State Championship.  Anyone can go to USAT Nationals / Jr Olys and fight in the Elite Open division for their age / weight / belt, including 14-17 BB and 14-32 BB.  Fighting at a qualifier or state championship gets you a World Class spot at Nationals and JOs.

Elite Open fights are always the day before the same groups, World Class fights at Nationals and JOs and as of 2006, the Elite Open gold medalist is offered the lowest seeded position in the following day's, World Class competition.