Amid the rapid advancement of global sports technology, “Made in China” is making its mark on the international stage with unstoppable momentum. As an industry pioneer, Wuxi Hechang Digital Technology Co., Ltd. has not only successfully obtained certification from the World Taekwondo (WT) for its self-developed Taekwondo Grand Slam electronic protective gear—breaking the long-standing monopoly held by foreign brands—but has also brought about a comprehensive transformation to global competitive taekwondo. As a result, the company’s independently developed and operated software and equipment for Taekwondo competitions now comprehensively cover the sport’s competition venues, injecting new momentum into the development of Taekwondo worldwide.
I. Building Up Gradually to Achieve a Breakthrough:A 10-million investment has forged a legend in protective gear R&D,Closing the Final Gap in Taekwondo Competition Equipment
In 2018, driven by a passion for sports technology, Wuxi Hechang Digital Technology Co., Ltd. embarked on a challenging journey of research and development. The company has successively developed and produced software for processing Taekwondo competition results, video replay systems, and weighing systems, as well as competition-grade mats, all of which have been certified by the Chinese Taekwondo Association. In 2024, the mats used in the Grand Slam tournaments received WT certification.
As the most essential piece of equipment in Taekwondo competition, the accuracy and stability of electronic protective gear directly impact the outcome of matches. Since electronic protective gear was officially adopted for Taekwondo at the 2016 Rio Olympics, foreign brands have long monopolized various competitions, leaving China in a position where it has consistently been forced to follow the “international rules” dominated by the West.
To this end, the company invested tens of millions to establish a dedicated R&D laboratory, conducting in-depth research in multiple fields such as electromagnetics, mechanics, materials engineering, embedded systems, and ergonomics. The R&D process was fraught with challenges; difficulties in material selection once stalled progress. Working day and night, the R&D team pored over documentation and visited suppliers. After countless failed experiments, they finally discovered a new composite material, driving a major breakthrough in the project. By 2025, the system software and product iterations had been completed, resulting in 23 patents and 9 software copyrights.
Since the launch of the Grand Slam Electronic Protective Gear (Mass Market Edition) in June 2020, it has been used in a total of 771 competitions across the country (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan), with cumulative usage exceeding 550,000 instances; In November 2021, the Professional Edition was launched and certified by the China Taekwondo Association. Grand Slam electronic protective gear has been used in a cumulative total of 126 top-tier domestic competitions, including the First National Student (Youth) Games and the National Taekwondo Championship Series, achieving a national coverage rate of 99.3%; The Bluetooth version, launched in March 2023, was designed specifically for dojos and clubs and has become the product of choice for training at these facilities. These achievements bear witness to the growth of Grand Slam electronic protective gear.
II. Overwhelming Superiority:Stringent Certification Highlights the Advantages of "Made in China"
WT’s certification process for electronic protective gear is known as a “grueling test,” comprising three stages: extreme destructive testing in the laboratory, evaluation of real-world competition data, and a review of algorithm transparency. The process comprehensively evaluates products based on over 200 testing criteria. Previously, only two international brands had passed this certification; as the only domestically produced product to achieve this certification, the Grand Slam electronic protective gear stands out for its exceptional performance.
During extreme destructive testing in the laboratory, the Grand Slam electronic protective gear withstood challenges such as simulated high-intensity competition impacts, extreme temperatures, and complex electromagnetic interference. The R&D team repeatedly optimized the design and improved components; for example, when key components malfunctioned during high-temperature testing, R&D personnel worked tirelessly for 48 consecutive hours to adjust material ratios and structural designs, ensuring the gear’s stable operation. During the data validation phase of actual competitions, the team collected match data from 1,500 athletes and continuously refined algorithms to optimize data processing workflows. Ultimately, Grand Slam electronic protective gear outperformed comparable products across core testing metrics!
Key performance indicators include:
1. Impact force measurement accuracy:Error < 0.5%
2. Data response latency:Delay<0.01 milliseconds
4. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Resistance:Class A+: Excellent
III. A New Beginning for Certification:Shaping the Future of Global Taekwondo Competition
In 2024, Grand Slam electronic protective gear has made numerous appearances in countries and regions including Russia, Spain, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Pakistan, earning international recognition for its accurate rulings and efficient data feedback.
This WT certification marks a milestone in the technical standards of "Made in China."First-ever global endorsement in the field of competitive taekwondo equipment. This is not only a triumph for the product itself, but also a reshaping of the industry’s influence—shifting from “passively following international rules” to “actively defining technological boundaries.” Through cutting-edge innovation, “Made in China” has shed the “contract manufacturer” label, forging its proprietary technologies—such as precision sensors and new materials—into globally recognized “Eastern Standards.”
In the future, Grand Slam electronic protective gear will be widely used in international competitions, providing an accurate and fair competitive experience for high-level taekwondo events around the world.
