A closer look at the game

Nomura's three consecutive men's 60kg titles offer a clear record of repeated performance across Olympic cycles.

Tani's medals across five Games show sustained competition without turning the record into a claim of uninterrupted victory.

Riner's individual titles in London, Rio and Paris must be distinguished from his mixed-team achievements.

Under WT rules, legal technique and target conditions matter before the scoreboard can be interpreted.

Stance changes and small steps shape the range in which an attack can become effective.

The current round, rounds already won and the overall match result can be separate pieces of information.

A spectacular rotation must still satisfy recognition and contact requirements to produce its scoring value.

A scoreboard change does not always require a visible scoring strike.

Poomsae evaluates a performed sequence; sparring responds to an opponent in real time.

The sport's Olympic status changed before Sydney 2000, and those event categories need separate historical records.

Wu's Beijing and London victories combine a precise historical record with a useful study of distance and timing.

Jones's titles also include a distinct national milestone: Britain's first Olympic taekwondo gold.

Saei's Athens and Beijing golds belong to different men's weight classes, making precise labels essential.

The legal routes to a takedown differ, shaping stance, grips and the opportunities available.

Touching the mat first does not automatically mean losing the exchange.