Korea is looking forward to add more gold medals to its medal haul as the taekwondo matches begin on Wednesday. It has already won 12 gold medals, and is hoping to set a new record by surpassing the 13 it won four years ago in Beijing.

Taekwondo player Lee Dae-hoon practices at the National Training Center in Taeneung, Seoul, ahead of the London Olympic Games.

The Korean taekwondo team will begin its Olympic run starting with Lee Dae-hoon in the men's -58 kg category on Wednesday evening. Korean players will compete in all four categories.

Korea won four gold medals in Beijing, but may safely be said to win two or three this time. As taekwondo skills have leveled out across the world, Korea is no longer a dominant force.

Electronic protectors to be used in the matches for the first time in London could be a decisive factor in the matches. Made by Spain's Daedo they react the intensity of attacks.

Lee shoulders the biggest burden as he is the first one up. Kim Se-hyuk, the head coach of the taekwondo team, said, "I hope Dae-hoo makes a great start so that the rest of the team can play without much pressure for gold medals." All taekwondo matches per category take place in one day, from the first round until the final.

Hwang Kyung-seon in the women's 67 kg category and Cha Dong-min in the men's +80 kg category are hoping to defend their Olympic titles, and they will compete in the afternoon of Friday and Saturday. Lee In-jong will also play on Saturday in the women's +67 kg category.