Para Taekwondo

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Para Taekwondo

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

Para Taekwondo is an adaptation of the sport of Taekwondo for athletes with an impairment. The sport's main governing body is World Taekwondo (WT). New disciplines such as Kyorugi and Poomsae, both martial arts forms, have been in development for para athletes.^[1] On January 31, 2017 Para Taekwondo was confirmed as a sport for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games program at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly^[2] the same year the WT became a full member of the IPC.

History[]

Origins[]

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 amputee and limb deficiency 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. The working group met 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, it was decided to expand Para Taekwondo and to create worldwide competitions 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 5th 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. This reflected the federation's ongoing process and work in developing Para Taekwondo. To be included in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics program, 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. Following the meeting some sports were confirmed for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games program. Para Taekwondo was not among the sports confirmed at this time.^[5] The IPC held a Governing Board meeting in Abu Dhabi, in January 2015. This was when the final decision on the sport program for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was made.^[6] The WT received historical news that Para Taekwondo should be included in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games Program on January 31, 2015.^[4][7]

Governance[]

The WT is the sport’s governing body for Para Taekwondo. The classification rules and regulations for Para Taekwondo were set by the WT. In 2013, the WT was formally recognized by IPC and WT became a full member of IPC in 2015.^[1]

Competition disciplines[]

Kyorugi and Poomsae are the two disciplines that the WT conducts in competition format to include athletes of all impairments in Para Taekwondo. Nevertheless, the rules of Para Kyorugi differ from the Olympic Kyorugi as all techniques to the head are prohibited and punches are awarded no points.^[8][9][10]

Para Taekwondo Kyorugi competition[]

Para Taekwondo Kyorugi

Competition system[]

Para Taekwondo Kyorugi competition shall be conducted in single elimination tournament system, round robin system or single elimination tournament system with repechage.^[11]

Duration of contest[]

The duration of Para Taekwondo Kyorugi contest shall be carried out for three rounds of two minutes with a one-minute rest period between rounds. In case of a tied score after finishing the third round, the Golden Point round (fourth round) will be conducted following the third round with a one-minute rest period.^[12] The duration of contest may be adjusted by the Technical Delegate. Sport Classes will be taken into consideration when the Technical Delegate decides duration of contest for different Sport Classes in Para Taekwondo Kyorugi competition.^[11]

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. In addition, one point is awarded for every one Gam-jeom (penalty deduction) given to the opponent.^[11][12]

Weight division[]

Weight division in Para Taekwondo Kyorugi are divided by weight and gender as follows:^[11]

Para Taekwondo Poomsae competition[]

Para Taekwondo Poomsae

Competition system[]

Para Taekwondo Poomsae competition shall be conducted in a single-elimination or double-elimination tournament system.^[13]

Duration of contest[]

The duration of Para Taekwondo Poomsae contest is between twenty and one hundred and twenty seconds, the contestant must perform each Poomsae with Rhythm and Precision during the duration. The contestants will perform their Poomsae alternatively in a match. In the case the opponent finishes their Poomsae in different time, a competitor will be guaranteed not less than a one-minute rest period between each Poomsae.^[13]

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 that the athlete performs. 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).^[13]

Classification of competition[]

The Classifications of Para Taekwondo Poomsae competition are divided by Age and Gender as follows:^[13]

Para Taekwondo athlete evaluation[]

Athlete evaluation[]

Athlete Evaluation is the procedure where the Classification Panel assess if the athlete meet the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) so that the athlete may be allocated a Sport Class. There are three (3) types of assessment: Physical Assessment, Technical Assessment, Observation Assessment.^[14]

Sport classes[]

Sport classes in Para Kyorugi and Para Poomsae respectively have a “K” and “P” prefix.^[15] Sport Classes for Para Taekwondo are as follows:

Major championships or tournaments[]

Membership[]

As of August 2017, the WT has 208 Member National Associations from five continents.^[16] There are five Continental Federations–European Taekwondo Union (ETU), African Taekwondo Union (AFTU), Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU), Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU), Pan-American Taekwondo Union (PATU). Each Continental Federations is responsible for the administration, promotion and development of Para Taekwondo within its continent.^{[17][18][19][20][21]}

World ranking[]

Para Taekwondo world ranking will follow the rules outlined in the WT Ranking Bylaw. World Ranking will be divided by classification and weight division in Para Kyorugi and will be divided by Sport Class and age category in Para Poomsae. Ranking points in both Kyorugi and Poomsae will be given to all the participant athletes based on G-level of championships or tournaments. The official Para Taekwondo world ranking will be updated and announced every month by the WT, and it can be found on the WT official website.^[22] The ranking point chart by G-level is as below:

Prominent athletes[]

Name	Nationality	Gender	Class	Times won
El Fedayni Abdennour	Morocco	Male	K41	2018 African Championships – Silver: Under 61 kg 2017 World Championships – Silver: Under 61 kg 2016 African championships – Gold: Under 61 kg 2015 World Championships – Silver: Under 61 kg 2014 World Championships – Bronze: Under 61 kg 2015 Asian Championships – Gold: Under 61 kg
Bolor-Erdene Ganbat	Mongolia	Male	K44	2017 Asian Championships – Gold: Under 61 kg 2015 World Championships – Gold: Under 61 kg 2015 Asian Championships – Gold: Under 61 kg
Evan Medell	USA	Male	K44	2017 Oceania Championships – Gold: Over 75 kg 2017 US Open – Gold: Over 75 kg 2016 Pan American Championships – Bronze: Over 75 kg 2016 Canadian Open – Gold: Over 75 kg 2016 US Open – Gold: Over 75 kg
Mehdi Pourrahnama	Iran	Male	K44	2017 Asian Championships – Gold: Under 75 kg 2015 World Championships – Gold: Under 75 kg 2014 World Championships – Gold: Under 75 kg 2013 World Championships – Gold: Under 75 kg
Mohammed Aatif	Morocco	Male	K44	2017 African Championships – Bronze: Under 75 kg 2016 African Championships – Silver: Under 75 kg
Enkhtuya Khurelbaatar	Mongolia	Female	K44	2017 Asian Championships – Gold: Under 49 kg 2016 Asian Championships – Gold: Under 49 kg 2016 Oceania Championships – Gold: Under 49 kg
Lisa Gjessing	Denmark	Female	K44	2016 European Championships – Gold: Under 58 kg 2015 World Championships – Gold: Under 58 kg 2015 European Championships – Gold: Under 58 kg 2014 World Championships – Gold: Under 58 kg 2013 World Championships – Gold: Under 58 kg

See also[]

World Taekwondo

References[]