Janine Watson has called time on her 19-year taekwondo career, competing at an international level in both kyorugi and poomsae. Watson finishes as Australia's most decorated para athlete, leaving behind a legacy both on and off the mat.
Olympic Selection Guidelines per International Opens - Defined G Ranked Open - Subject to AOC Approval
Australian Taekwondo recognises from past experience that in considering performance from international competitions that G2 events vary in standard and difficulty to a wide degree.
This has resulted in some athletes in previous years spending funds on pursuing competitions that would not illicit high consideration by selectors.
To this end pending approval from AOC, Australian Taekwondo has determined that designated Defined G Ranked Open- International Opens will be the priority consideration in the G2 section of event results considered by selectors. This also allows athletes to better target the utilisation of their finances should they pursue Olympic Selection.
These Defined G Ranked Open will be in conjunction with Mandatory Competitions as per previous notice - While Mandatory competitions are necessary for selection consideration - Defined G Ranked Open participation is the choice of individual athletes to which and how many of these they determine to target.
However as previously stated this allows Athletes to better target their individual campaigns. Additionally mandatory competitions are all in Australia to allow easy access for all Australian Athletes and to ensure a level of head to head competition is a component of selection consideration.
The full selection policy will be published when the approval process through the AOC is complete. However, in the interest of planning purposes for athletes we have determined to give notice of the proposed events for the information of Athletes and Coaches.
Mandatory means an event that is a mandatory event for athlete participation to be eligible for consideration by the Taekwondo Selection Panel in clause 6.9 in determining the selection of athletes under this policy unless Clause 7. Is applicable.
Defined G Ranked Open means competitions designated by Australian Taekwondo as International Open Competitions that may be utilised by the Taekwondo Selection Panel in clause 6.9 for the consideration of athlete performance.
(a) Other than those designated competitions specifically named in this policy as Defined G Ranked Open’s Australian Taekwondo will publish details of designated Defined G Ranked Open with a minimum of eight (8) weeks’ notice.
6.9 Factors to consider:
(a) the Athlete’s performance during the Qualification Period at specific National And international events.
The following competitions will be the competitions considered with relation to this clause:
Mandatory Events
2023 Defined G-ranked Open events
2024 Defined G-ranked Open events:
Janine Watson has called time on her 19-year taekwondo career, competing at an international level in both kyorugi and poomsae. Watson finishes as Australia's most decorated para athlete, leaving behind a legacy both on and off the mat.
The Australian Taekwondo night of nights celebrated its athletes, coaches, referees, clubs and volunteers at the 2026 Green Carpet Awards Gala. The night recognised the year's best performances on the mat and the people who make the sport run off it, with the two pinnacle medals going to Carmela Hartnett and Shrijana Ghising.
History has been made for Australian Para Taekwondo. Shrijana Ghising has claimed Gold at the 2026 World Taekwondo Para Grand Prix in Muju, Australia's first-ever Gold Medal at a World Taekwondo Para Grand Prix.
