Para taekwondo
Adapted sport for impaired athletes
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Para taekwondo is an adaptation of taekwondo for disabled sportspeople. The sport's main governing body is World Taekwondo (WT). New disciplines such as kyorugi and poomsae, both martial arts forms, have been developed for para-athletes.[1] On January 31, 2017, Para Taekwondo was confirmed as a sport for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly[2] the same year the WT became a full member of the IPC.
 World Para Taekwondo Logo | |
| Highest governing body | World Taekwondo (WT) |
|---|---|
| First World Para Taekwondo Championship | 2009 |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | WT Lausanne Office |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
| Paralympic | 2020 Tokyo Paralympic |
History
Origins of Para Taekwondo
The WT founded the Para Taekwondo Committee in 2006 to help promote and develop Taekwondo for athletes with an impairment. At first, Para Taekwondo concentrated on developing kyorugi (sparring) for arm amputees and limb-deficient athletes. The first Para Taekwondo Championships were held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2009.[3] Following the unsuccessful inclusion on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games program, a working group was put together to discuss Para Taekwondo in 2013 during the WT World Para Taekwondo Championship. The Para Taekwondo Committee invited guests from Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) and International Sports Federation for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (INAS). Following the work group's recommendations, Para Taekwondo was expanded, and worldwide competitions were made available to athletes of all impairments. Poomsae was chosen to be included in competitions for athletes with neurological, intellectual, or visual impairments. Para Taekwondo Poomsae competitions were held for the first time for intellectually impaired athletes at the fifth WT World Para Taekwondo Championships in Moscow. Para Taekwondo Poomsae was also added as a demonstration sport during the 2015 INAS Global Games and the 2015 CPISRA World Games.[1][4]
Application process for the Paralympic Games
The WT became an IPC-recognized international federation in October 2013. To be included in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics program, the WT submitted a letter of intent to the IPC in January 2014. The second stage of the application process was completed in July 2014. During the IPC Governing Board meeting in Berlin, Germany, in October 2014, the WT presented their bid to have Para Taekwondo in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. After the meeting, some sports were confirmed for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games program; Para Taekwondo was not one of them.[5] In January 2015, the IPC held a Governing Board meeting in Abu Dhabi, where the final decision on the sport program for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was made.[6]
Governance
The WT is Para Taekwondo's governing body, and sets the rules and regulations for the sport. In 2013, the WT was formally recognized by IPC and WT became a full member of IPC in 2015.[1]
Competition disciplines
Para Taekwondo Kyorugi
Competition system
Para Taekwondo Kyorugi matches are conducted in a single elimination tournament system, a round robin system, or a single elimination tournament system with repechage.[10]
Duration
Para Taekwondo Kyorugi competitions consist of for 3 two-minute rounds, with a one-minute rest period between rounds. If there is a tied score after the third round, the Golden Point round (fourth round) is conducted following the third round with a one-minute rest period.[11] The match's duration may be adjusted by the technical delegate. Sport classes are taken into consideration when the technical delegate decides on duration changes.[10]
Valid points
Two points are awarded for a valid foot technique to the trunk protector, three points for a valid turning foot technique to the trunk protector, and four points awarded for a valid spinning technique to the trunk protector. One point is awarded for every one gam-jeom (penalty deduction) given to the opponent.[10][11]
Weight division
Weight divisions in Para Taekwondo Kyorugi are divided by weight and gender as follows:[10]
| Male divisions | Female divisions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 61 kg | Not exceeding 61 kg | Under 49 kg | Not exceeding 49 kg |
| Under 75 kg | Over 61 kg and
not exceeding 75 kg |
Under 58 kg | Over 49 kg and
not exceeding 58 kg |
| Over 75 kg | Over 75 kg | Over 58 kg | Over 58 kg |
Para Taekwondo Poomsae
Competition system
Para Taekwondo Poomsae matches are conducted in a single-elimination or double-elimination tournament system.[12]
Duration
The duration of a Para Taekwondo Poomsae competition is between 20 and 120 seconds, and the competitor must perform each poomsae with rhythm and precision during the duration. The contestants alternately perform their poomsae in a match. If a contestant finishes their poomsae earlier, their opponent is guaranteed at least a one-minute rest period between each poomsae.[12]
Scoring criteria
The total score of Para Taekwondo Poomsae competition is 10.0 points. In the P20 Sport Class additions are made based on the difficulty of the poomsae being performed. Scoring is divided into two point categories: technical and presentation. The maximum points for each point category is as follows: Technical (4.0); Presentation (6.0).[12]
Divisions
The divisions of Para Taekwondo Poomsae competition are divided by age and gender.[12]
| Male divisions | Female divisions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | 12–15 years old | Junior | 12–15 years old |
| Under 30 | 16–29 years old | Under 30 | 16–29 years old |
| Over 30 | 30 years old and older | Over 30 | 30 years old and older |
Para Taekwondo athlete evaluation
Athlete evaluation is the procedure where the classification panel assesses if the athlete meets the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) so that the athlete may be designated a Sport Class. There are three types of assessment: physical assessment, technical assessment, and observation assessment.[13]
Sport classes
Sport classes in Para Kyorugi and Para Poomsae have a "K" and "P" prefix, respectively.[14]
| Para Kyorugi | Impairment | Sport Classes | Para Poomsae | Impairment | Sport Classes |
| LD/ Prom | K40 | Visual Impairment | P10 | ||
| Intellectual Disability | P20 | ||||
| Physical Impairments | P30 | ||||
| Deaf | K60 | W/C Classes | P50 | ||
| Deaf | P60 | ||||
| Short Stature | P70 |
Major tournaments
| Event | Grade |
|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | N/A |
| World Para Taekwondo Championships | G-10 |
| IWAS World Games | G-6 |
| Asian Para Taekwondo Open | G-4/G-2 |
| African Para Taekwondo Open | G-4/G-2 |
| Oceania Para Taekwondo Open | G-4/G-2 |
| Pan American Para Taekwondo Open | G-4/G-2 |
| European Para Taekwondo Open | G-4/G-2 |
| G-1 Open Tournaments for Para Taekwondo in Kyorugi and/or Poomsae | G-1 |
World Championship
- Hosts
- Medal table
As of September 2025.[16]
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Russia (RUS) | 27 | 36 | 35 | 98 |
| 2 |  Turkey (TUR) | 22 | 19 | 35 | 76 |
| 3 |  Azerbaijan (AZE) | 15 | 22 | 22 | 59 |
| 4 |  Iran (IRI) | 14 | 8 | 4 | 26 |
| 5 |  Spain (ESP) | 7 | 4 | 7 | 18 |
| 6 |  France (FRA) | 7 | 2 | 8 | 17 |
| 7 |  Great Britain (GBR) | 6 | 8 | 1 | 15 |
| 8 |  Mongolia (MGL) | 6 | 4 | 13 | 23 |
| 9 |  Ukraine (UKR) | 6 | 3 | 4 | 13 |
| 10 |  Kazakhstan (KAZ) | 5 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 11 |  Serbia (SRB) | 4 | 5 | 6 | 15 |
| 12 |  Brazil (BRA) | 4 | 1 | 12 | 17 |
| 13 |  Canada (CAN) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| 14 |  Denmark (DEN) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 15 |  Morocco (MAR) | 3 | 5 | 8 | 16 |
| 16 |  Mexico (MEX) | 3 | 4 | 7 | 14 |
| 17 |  Croatia (CRO) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| 18 |  Australia (AUS) | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 19 |  Uzbekistan (UZB) | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 |
| 20 |  Israel (ISR) | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 21 |  Thailand (THA) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 22 |  China (CHN) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 23 |  India (IND) | 1 | 6 | 9 | 16 |
| 24 |  Bahrain (BHR) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 25 |  Italy (ITA) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 26 |  Colombia (COL) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
 Georgia (GEO) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| 28 |  Chinese Taipei (TPE) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 29 |  Greece (GRE) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 30 |  Germany (GER) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
 Rwanda (RWA) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 32 |  Iraq (IRQ) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
 Singapore (SGP) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 34 |  Poland (POL) | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 35 |  United States (USA) | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 36 |  Guatemala (GUA) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
 South Korea (KOR) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| 38 |  Finland (FIN) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 39 |  Saudi Arabia (KSA) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
 United Arab Emirates (UAE) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 41 |  Egypt (EGY) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
 Peru (PER) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 43 |  Japan (JPN) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
 Nepal (NEP) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 45 |  Argentina (ARG) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
 Cuba (CUB) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Hungary (HUN) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Kenya (KEN) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Lesotho (LES) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 New Zealand (NZL) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Philippines (PHI) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Slovakia (SVK) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Totals (52 entries) | 164 | 165 | 234 | 563 | |
Membership
As of August 2017, the WT has 208 member national associations from five continents.[17] There are five continental federations–European Taekwondo Union (ETU), African Taekwondo Union (AFTU), Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU), Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU), and Pan-American Taekwondo Union (PATU). Each continental federation is responsible for the administration, promotion and development of Para Taekwondo within its continent.[18][19][20][21][22]
World ranking
Para Taekwondo world rankings follow the rules outlined in the WT Ranking Bylaw. They are divided by classification and weight division in Para Kyorugi, and divided by Sport Class and age category in Para Poomsae. Ranking points in both Kyorugi and Poomsae are given to all participants based on G-level of championships or tournaments.
| Rank | G1 | G2 | G4 | G6 | G10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ranked athlete | 10.00 | 20.00 | 40.00 | 60.00 | 100.00 |
| 2nd ranked athlete | 6.00 | 12.00 | 24.00 | 36.00 | 60.00 |
| 3rd ranked athletes | 3.60 | 7.20 | 14.40 | 21.60 | 36.00 |
| 5th ranked athletes | 2.16 | 4.32 | 8.64 | 12.96 | 21.60 |
| 9th ranked athletes | 1.51 | 3.02 | 6.05 | 9.07 | 15.12 |
| 17th ranked athletes | 1.06 | 2.12 | 4.23 | 6.35 | 10.58 |
| 33rd ranked athletes | 0.74 | 1.48 | 2.96 | 4.45 | 7.41 |
| 65th ranked athletes | 0.52 | 1.04 | 2.07 | 3.11 | 5.19 |