Para-Taekwondo embraces our Strategic Plan’s Vision of 'One Taekwondo: unified, respected, successful and sustainable, and providing opportunities for all'. We are committed to enabling people with an impairment to be part of our Taekwondo Community at a recreational and sporting level.

Para Taekwondo History

Taekwondo was introduced as a full member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 2015, and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) began developing the kyorugi (sparring) discipline for para-athletes in 2005. Since 2013, poomsae has been developed as a competition format for athletes with all forms of impairments.

At the Paralympics, athletes can compete in kyorugi. This includes the K43 and K44 classes (eligible impairments include – upper limb impairments such as hemiplegia and impaired range of motion and athletes with an arm amputation/deficiency/dysmelia).

In 2009, the first WTF Para-Taekwondo World Championships were held in Baku, Azerbaijan and have now become a permanent fixture of the WTF Calendar.

Australian Taekwondo has established a national Para-Taekwondo Committee to specifically cater for members with impairments, and we are also engaging with like-minded national sports organisations to be part of a national framework in support of athletes with an impairment and officials being included in our programs.

Para Taekwondo Kyorugi Competition

Para Taekwondo competitions are included in most Australian state competitions, at a national level in the Australian Open Championships and the National Championships. Regionally they are included in the Oceania Championships and internationally in the WTF's Para Taekwondo World Championships. 2020 will see the inaugural inclusion of Para-Taekwondo (K43 and K44 classes) in the Paralympics to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

The WTF has developed Standing Procedures for conducting the World Para-Taekwondo Championships, and a classification system to categorise the competition into various impairment classifications. These are (click to enlarge):

 

Where To Get Help

Clubs or Programs with para athletes who are interested in national or international Taekwondo competition should contact Ben Exton at participation@austkd.com.au

Any athlete, coach or athlete assistants (for athletes with an intellectual impairment) who would like to compete nationally will need to be a member of Australian Taekwondo. If you wish to compete internationally, you  will need a Global Athlete License (GAL) from the World Taekwondo Federation. For GAL enquiries please contact our administration office at admin@austkd.com.au

Any athlete wishing to compete in the World Para Taekwondo Championships must ensure that they meet eligibility and classification requirements as outlined by the World Taekwondo Federation. To confirm eligibility please complete the WTF Para-Taekwondo Classification Screening Form and contact participation@austkd.com.au to register interest. Once confirmed the form can then be emailed it to para-tkd@wtf.org

Para Program Resources

World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)

WTF Para-Taekwondo and Deaf-Taekwondo Classification Rules and Regulations

Standing Procedure for WTF World Para-Taekwondo Championships as of 2014-03-18

International Paralympic Committee

IPC Introduction to Para Sport

This online programme is open for everybody who wants to learn more about the IPC, The Paralympic Movement and the importance of classification. You might be an athlete, a coach, a technical official, sport medical practitioner, event organiser or generally just an interested supporter of Paralympic Sport or the Paralympic Games looking to test your knowledge. Access the course HERE

IPC Coaching Para Sport - an introductory programme

This course is designed for qualified coaches who have previous experience in training able-bodied athletes and now are shifting to train athletes with impairments. Access the course HERE

CLASSIFICATION

What is Classification?

Classification is an assessment process, which allows us to group athletes whose impairment causes similar limitations in a particular sport in order to allow for fair competition. Classification is not required for general participation.

What is the classification process?

Trained classifiers assess an athlete using the World Taekwondo classification rules to determine the following:

1. Does the athlete have an eligible impairment type?

An athlete must have a permanent eligible impairment type and provide medical documentation detailing their diagnosis and health condition.

2. Does the athlete meet the minimum impairment criteria for the sport?

Specific criteria applied to each sport to determine if a person’s impairment results in sufficient limitation in their sport. This is called the minimum impairment criteria.

3. What is the appropriate class to allocate the athlete for competition?

Classes are detailed in the classification rules for the sport and a classifier determines the class an athlete will compete in.

4. Which Impairment groups compete in Para-Taekwondo?

Athletes with intellectual, vision or hearing and physical impairments compete in Taekwondo.

Paralympic pathway:

·      Physical impairments (K43 and K44 classes)

Non-Paralympic Pathway:

·      Physical impairments (all other classes)

·      Vision Impairments (P11, P12, P13 classes)

·      Intellectual Impairments (P20 class)

·      Hearing Impairments 

For more detailed information check out the Para-Takewondo Classification Information sheet HERE which advises on the classification process and contacts for athletes with physical, intellectual and vison impairments.

Document Links

1. Para-Taekwondo classification information sheet

2. Para-Taekwondo provisional classification form

HEARING IMPAIRMENT

Deaf or hearing-impaired athletes wanting to compete in Sparring at the World Deaf Taekwondo Championships must complete the official ICSD Audiogram form to get on the ICSD Athlete Master List. The ICSD is the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf with information and forms found HERE