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Physical Impairment

Who can compete?

Para Taekwondo is open to athletes with a physical, intellectual, vision or hearing impairment. Athletes are required to submit medical reports and meet the minimum impairment criteria in order to compete.

The following is a summary of the eligible physical impairments and Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) to be able to compete in Para Taekwondo

Eligible impairments

Description

Minimum Impairment Criteria

Loss of limbs

Partial or complete absence of bones or joints due to amputation or deficiency from birth.

Kyorugi: loss of one arm above the wrist OR shortened arm of similar length.

Poomsae: loss of one arm above the wrist OR shortened arm of similar length; OR loss of one leg below the knee.

Muscle weakness/Impaired muscle power

Muscle weakness or paralysis from conditions such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, nerve damage, spinal cord injury or other spinal condition.

Kyorugi: Loss of strength in at least one shoulder or elbow.

Poomsae: Loss of strength in at least one shoulder or elbow; OR significant loss of strength in at least one hip.

Restricted joint movement/ Impaired passive range

Restricted movement or tightness in a joint/s from conditions such as joint fusions and other restricting conditions.

Kyorugi and Poomsae: Joint movement restriction in elbow.

Co-ordination impairments -Hypertonia, Ataxia, Athetosis

Impairments from neurological conditions such as acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis that affect co-ordination and smoothness of movement and balance.

Poomsae only: Co-ordination or movement difficulties in at least one arm or leg.

Leg Length difference

Significant difference in leg length due to a deficiency at birth or trauma

Poomsae only: Difference between length of legs of 7cm or more

Short Stature

Reduced standing height and limb length from conditions such as achondroplasia or other conditions that affect growth.

Poomsae only: Adult standing height less than or equal to 145m (males)/137cm (females);

AND

Arm length less than or equal to 66cm (males)/63cm (females);

AND

Standing height plus arm length less than or equal to 200cm (males)/190cm (females).

Para-Taekwondo Sport Classes

The prefix for each class identifies whether it is for Kyorugi (K) or Poomsae (P) events

KYORUGI CLASSES

Athletes with restricted joints, muscle weakness or loss of limbs.

Sport Classes

Description (Guide Only)

Highest Level of Competition

K 41

Athletes with limb loss in both arms through or above the elbow or equivalent shortened arms.

World Championships

K 44

Athletes with impairments in one or both arms that affect at least one shoulder, wrist or elbow.

Paralympics

POOMSAE CLASSES

Athletes with co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis).

Sport Classes

Description (Guide Only)

Highest Level of Competition

P31

Athletes with moderate co-ordination impairment, spasticity or involuntary movements that affected all 4 limbs.

World Championships

P32

Athletes with moderate co-ordination impairment, spasticity or involuntary movements that affected 3 limbs.

World Championships

P33

Athletes with moderate co-ordination impairment, spasticity or involuntary movements that affected 2 limbs. (either one side of the body, both legs, both arms or trunk)

World Championships

P34

Athletes with mild co-ordination impairment or spasticity that affected 2-4 limbs or trunk.

World Championships

P35

Athletes with mild co-ordination impairment or spasticity that affected 1 limb only.

World Championships

Athletes with restricted joints, muscle weakness or loss of limbs.

Sport Classes

Description (Guide Only)

Highest Level of Competition

P41

Athletes with limb loss or loss muscle power in both arms through or above the elbow or an equivalent shortened arm.

World Championships

P42

Athletes with limb loss or loss muscle power in both arms below the elbow or an equivalent shortened arm.

World Championships

P43

Athletes with limb loss or loss muscle power in one arm through or above the elbow or an equivalent shortened arm.

World Championships

P44

Athletes with limb loss or loss muscle power in one arm through or below the elbow or an equivalent shortened arm.

World Championships

P45

Athletes with leg length difference of 7cm or more or below knee amputation/limb loss in one leg. Athletes may use a prosthetic leg.

World Championships

Athletes with muscle weakness, loss of limbs or hypertonia who use equipment (eg wheelchair, canes, crutches)

Sport Classes

Description (Guide Only)

Highest Level of Competition

P51

Athletes with limb loss, muscle or co-ordination impairments in both legs and trunk to the extent that the athlete cannot stand and who would compete sitting in a wheelchair with the use of a back strap.

World Championships

P52

Athletes with limb loss, muscle or co-ordination impairments in one or both legs to the extent that the athlete cannot stand and who would compete sitting in a wheelchair. Trunk not affected.

World Championships

P53

Athletes with co-ordination impairments in one or both legs who can stand and compete with the use of canes, crutches, or other walking aids.

World Championships

Athletes with short stature

Sport Classes

Description (Guide Only)

Highest Level of Competition

P 72

Adult standing height less than or equal to 145cm (males)/137cm (females); AND Arm length less than or equal to 66cm (males)/63cm (females); AND Standing height plus arm length less than or equal to 200cm (males)/190cm (females).

World Championships

Physical Impairment Classification

Australian Taekwondo manage the National Classification Program for Physical Impairment. If you have a Physical impairment (PI) and would like to start the process of getting a PI classification for Para Taekwondo, please click on the link below to complete a classification request form. Please submit the completed classification form with all supporting evidence documents via email to para-tkd@austkd.com.au

Download physical impairments classification form

You will also need to submit some additional medical evidence from your doctor as well as the classification request form. To help you with this process, you may wish to use our “Letter to Specialist” below to take with you when seeing your specialist.

Download specialist letter