Designing a Model of Key Factors in Success in Taekwondo (with an Emphasis on the Olympics)

The aim of this paper was to provide a comprehensive model for the sport of taekwondo (with an Emphasis on the Olympics). For this purpose, the researchers referred to experts in the field of Iranian taekwondo and collected information from them through an in-depth interview. Then, the data obtained from twenty-one interviews were coded and analyzed by grounded theory. The results of grouping the codes indicated twenty-one components at seven levels of: comprehensive governance, smart coaching, prudent preparation, mental development, professionalism, breeding successors, and consistent support. According to the Iranian Taekwondo sport model, all the obtained codes can be placed in seven main groups. The first step includes comprehensive governance with an emphasis on intelligent management, making policy and strategic leadership, sports talent management, and consistent organizing. The second step is smart coaching which is realized through building capacity in coaches, previous learning, analyze of position, competitors, etc. In the third step, prudent preparation of Taekwondo is considered and the focus is on the style and method of training, participation in various competitions, training recommendations, and holding related tests. In the fourth step, cultivating the soul and psyche is another key factor and includes the items of psychological assistance to sports and attention to spirituality and ethics. The fifth step is professionalism, which is along expertise. In the sixth step, breeding successors is considered, which can be achieved with support. The seventh step is consistent support, which requires the implementation of support programs, grounding in education and training, providing hardware (facilities and equipment), and optimizing power supply. The level of comprehensive governance actually includes the authority over internal and objective components of taekwondo in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The presented model can be used as an analytical tool for taekwondo sports in the Islamic Republic of Iran for the Olympic Games as a basis for logically and principally solving the problems of this field of sports. Thus, the key success factors in Taekwondo (with the emphasis on the Olympics) were extracted and confirmed, and the research model was drawn and its fit was confirmed. In order to succeed in taekwondo, the managers in the field of taekwondo are advised to pay attention to the factors of this model, which include comprehensive governance, smart coaching, prudent preparation, mental development, professionalism, and breeding successors, consistent support.