World Taekwondo

International sport governing body

Not to be confused with International Taekwon-Do Federation.

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|

World Taekwondo세계 태권도 연맹

Abbreviation| WT
Formation| 28 May 1973; 52 years ago (1973-05-28)
Purpose| Martial art and sport
Headquarters| Sejongdaero 55, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Lausanne, Switzerland
Location|

* South Korea

Region served

| Worldwide
Membership| 213 national associations

Official language

| English, Korean, French and Spanish

President

| Choue Chung-won[1]
Affiliations| 17 July 1980; 45 years ago (1980-07-17) International Olympic Committee and 16 October 2013; 11 years ago (2013-10-16) International Paralympic Committee
Website| worldtaekwondo.org

World Taekwondo, formerly the World Taekwondo Federation, is an international federation governing the sport of Taekwondo and Para Taekwondo. WT is a member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).[2]

The World Taekwondo Federation was established on 28 May 1973, at its inaugural meeting held at the Kukkiwon with participation of 35 representatives from around the world. As of May 2023[update] there are 213 member nations.[3] Since 2004, Choue Chung-won has been the president of World Taekwondo, succeeding the first president, Kim Un-yong.

Flagpoles and flags of the World Taekwondo and of the Korean Taekwondo Association at the Kukkiwon in Seoul, South Korea

World Taekwondo (WT) was recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on October 16, 2013, and the IPC later included taekwondo in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics. On 17 July 1980, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized World Taekwondo Federation at its 83rd Session in Moscow, Russia. Taekwondo debuted as a demonstration sport of the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. On 4 September 1994, Taekwondo was adopted as an official sport of the 2000 Summer Olympics at the 103rd IOC Session in Paris, France.[4]

In June 2017, World Taekwondo Federation was renamed as World Taekwondo to avoid its acronym WTF clashing with the common Internet slang WTF.

## Organizational structure

[edit]

Old WTF logo

The main constituents of World Taekwondo are the following: The General Assembly (GA); the World Taekwondo Council; the President and the Secretariat. In addition to its main constituents World Taekwondo also encompasses other organizations that have been duly authorized or recognized by the Council and the GA and that operate under the auspices of World Taekwondo.

World Taekwondo-recognized or authorized organizations include but are not limited to the Continental Unions. The General Assembly is the general meeting of the council and representatives of MNAs of World Taekwondo. The GA is World Taekwondo's supreme decision making organ. Its decisions are final, whereas the Council consists of the President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary General, the Treasurer and the Council members. Responsibilities of the council are for example planning and management of World Taekwondo organization and operations and the control over the financial budget and financial reports. The President is elected by the GA from among its members for a term of four years. The President must lead and represent World Taekwondo; concurrently lead the GA and the council as its chairman, and preside over meetings and other activities as well as designate official duties to Vice Presidents on an ad-hoc basis for the betterment of the development of the sport of taekwondo and World Taekwondo operations. Furthermore, the President appoints the chairmen and members of World Taekwondo Committees. Lastly, the Secretariat of World Taekwondo is installed at the location of World Taekwondo headquarters for the execution of the secretarial affairs and duties of the President and the Secretary General.[5][6]

## History

[edit]

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was established on May 28, 1973, at the inaugural meeting held at the Kukkiwon with participation of 35 representatives from the world after it separated from the International Taekwon-Do Federation because of political reasons. At that time, Un Yong Kim was elected president for a four-year term. One of the main Constituents of World Taekwondo, the Secretariat was formed on June 3, 1973, and began operating.

On October 8, 1974, World Taekwondo was affiliated to the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), now SportAccord. Until the 1980s, the European (May, 1976), the Asian (October, 1976), the Pan American (September, 1978) and the African (April, 1979) Taekwondo Unions inaugural meetings were held, while Oceania's Taekwondo Union was not recognized as the 5th Continental Union of World Taekwondo until July 16, 2005.

The recognition of the IOC towards World Taekwondo at its 83rd session in Moscow on July 17, 1980, was the cornerstone for their Cooperation. Thereupon Taekwondo participated in the 24th Olympiad at Changchung Gymnasium in Seoul, Korea as well as the 25th Olympiad at the Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona, Spain as a demonstration sport.

In recognition of his contribution to the Olympic Movement Un Yong Kim was awarded the Order of Commander by Prince Rainier of Monaco on September 21, 1993. Moreover, Taekwondo was adopted as an official sport of the 2000 Summer Olympics at the 103rd IOC session in Paris, France, on September 4, 1994. Half a year later, on February 15, 1995, World Taekwondo was affiliated with the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) as a provisional member.

After the first appearance of Taekwondo as an Olympic Sport in the 2000 Summer Olympics, the IOC executive board confirms Taekwondo as an Olympic Sport for the 2004 Summer Olympics on December 11–13, 2000. Furthermore, the inclusion of taekwondo in the 2008 Summer Olympics was confirmed on November 29, 2002, at the 114th IOC session held in Mexico City.

On February 15, 2004, the Vice President (Italy) Sun Jae Park was elected as Acting President of World Taekwondo due to the resignation of the founding President Un Yong Kim from the presidency of World Taekwondo. Four month later Chung Won Choue was elected as new President of World Taekwondo at the extraordinary General Assembly on June 11, 2004. Taekwondo was confirmed as program of the 2012 Summer Olympics on July 8, 2005.[7]

In June 2017, the body was renamed World Taekwondo to avoid the "negative connotations" of the acronym associated with the common Internet slang WTF.[8][9]

## Mission and objectives

[edit]

The mission of World Taekwondo is to provide effective international governance of taekwondo as an Olympic sport and Paralympic sport. The envisioned objectives of World Taekwondo are to promote, expand, and improve worldwide the practice of taekwondo in light of its educational, cultural, and sports values (the "Taekwondo movement") and to promote fair play, youth development, and education as well as to encourage peace and cooperation though participation in sports. Moreover, World Taekwondo wants to promote or sanction international taekwondo competitions and relating to those World Taekwondo resolves to constantly improve technical rules regulating taekwondo competitions and poomsae competitions sanctioned or promoted by World Taekwondo, including the taekwondo event of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Furthermore, World Taekwondo wants to take action in order to strengthen the unity and protect the interests of World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Movement as well as to engage in other activities in support of the above objectives. World Taekwondo undertakes its missions and objectives in cooperation with independent affiliated organizations including World Taekwondo Academy, World Taekwondo Peace Corps, World Taekwondo Demonstration Team, Pro Taekwondo Federation, Global Taekwondo Support Federation, and Taekwondo International Federation.[10]

## Membership

[edit]

As of 2023, the global membership of World Taekwondo stands at 213 national member associations (NMAs), spanning five Continental Unions (CUs).[3]

### Continental Unions (CUs)

[edit]

* African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) – 53 national member associations
* Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU) – 44 national member associations
* European Taekwondo Union (ETU) – 52 national member associations
* Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) – 19 member national associations
* Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) – 45 national member associations

### National Member Associations (NMAs)

[edit]

List of National Member Associations (NMAs) of World Taekwondo  Region  | Governing body  | CU | Year of
affiliation

|
|
|

Algeria | Algerian Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2004
Angola | Federação Angolana de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2001
Benin | Fédération Béninoise de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1978
Botswana | Botswana Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2012
Burkina Faso | Fédération Burkinabé de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1981
Burundi | Fédération Burundaise de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2010
Cameroon | Federation Camerounaise de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2002
Cape Verde | Associação de Taekwondo de Cabo-Verde | AFTU  | 2000
Central African Republic | Fédération Centrafricaine de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1999
Chad | Fédération Tchadienne de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2000
Comoros | Fédération Comorienne de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2003
Congo | Fédération Congolaise de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1993
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Fédération Congolaise de Tae Kwon Do | AFTU  | 2005
Djibouti | Fédération Djiboutienne de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2016
Egypt | Egyptian Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 1979
Equatorial Guinea | Federación Ecuatoguineana de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1997
Eswatini | Eswatini Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 1985
Ethiopia | Ethiopian Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2003
Gabon | Fédération Gabonaise de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1978
Gambia | Gambia Taekwondo Association | AFTU  | 2007
Ghana | Ghana Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 1981
Guinea | Fédération Guinéenne de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2001
Guinea-Bissau | Federação de Taekwondo da Guiné-Bissau | AFTU  | 2017
Ivory Coast | Fédération Ivoirienne de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1975
Kenya | Kenya Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 1990
Lesotho | Lesotho Taekwondo Association | AFTU  | 1990
Liberia | Liberia Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2001
Libya | Libyan Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 1979
Madagascar | Fédération Malagasy de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1993
Malawi | Taekwondo Association of Malawi | AFTU  | 2007
Mali | Fédération Malienne de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2000
Mauritania | Mauritanian Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2014
Mauritius | Mauritius Taekwondo Association | AFTU  | 1978
Morocco | Fédération royale marocaine de taekwondo [fr] | AFTU  | 1981
Mozambique | Federação Moçambicana de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 2005
Namibia | Namibia Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2023
Niger | Fédération Nigérienne de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1999
Nigeria | Nigeria Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 1988
Rwanda | Rwanda Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2011
São Tomé and Príncipe | São Tomé and Príncipe Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2004
Senegal | Fédération Sénégalaise de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1995
Seychelles | Seychelles Taekwondo Association | AFTU  | 2012
Sierra Leone | Sierra Leone Taekwondo Association | AFTU  | 2012
Somalia | Somalia Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2007
South Africa | South African Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 1991
South Sudan | South Sudan Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2012
Sudan | Sudanese Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2003
Togo | Fédération Togolaise de Taekwondo | AFTU  | 1996
Tunisia | Tunisia Taekwondo Federation [ar] | AFTU  | 1978
Uganda | Uganda Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2007
Tanzania | Tanzania Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2003
Zambia | Zambia Taekwondo Federation | AFTU  | 2006
Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe Taekwondo Association | AFTU  | 1997
Afghanistan | Afghanistan National Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1993
Bahrain | Bahrain Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1977
Bangladesh | Bangladesh Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1999
Bhutan | Bhutan Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1985
Brunei | Brunei Darussalam Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1973
Cambodia | Cambodian Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1995
China | Chinese Taekwondo Association [zh] | ATU  | 1995
East Timor | Timor Leste Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 2009
Hong Kong, China | Hong Kong, China Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1978
India | India Taekwondo | ATU  | 1979
Indonesia | Indonesian Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1975
Iraq | Iraqi Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1984
Iran | Islamic Republic of Iran Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1975
Japan | All Japan Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1981
Jordan | Jordan Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1979
Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1993
Kuwait | Kuwait Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1977
Kyrgyzstan | Taekwondo Association of the Kyrgyz Republic | ATU  | 1993
Laos | Lao Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1996
Lebanon | Lebanese Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1978
Macau, China | Macau Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 2002
Malaysia | Taekwondo Malaysia | ATU  | 1975
Maldives | Maldives Taekwondo | ATU  | 2022
Mongolia | Mongolia Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1991
Myanmar | Myanmar Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1990
Nepal | Nepal Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1983
Oman | Oman Taekwondo Committee | ATU  | 2010
Pakistan | Pakistan Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1977
Palestine | Palestine Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1989
Philippines | Philippine Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1973
Qatar | Qatar Taekwondo, Judo & Karate Federation | ATU  | 1977
Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabian Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1977
Singapore | Singapore Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1975
South Korea | Korea Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1973
Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1983
Syria | Syrian Arab Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 2000
Chinese Taipei | Chinese Taipei Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1973
Tajikistan | Taekwondo Federation of the Republic of Tajikistan | ATU  | 1995
Thailand | Taekwondo Association of Thailand [th] | ATU  | 1975
Turkmenistan | National Taekwondo Centre of Turkmenistan | ATU  | 2000
United Arab Emirates | U.A.E. Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1994
Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan Taekwondo Association | ATU  | 1992
Vietnam | Vietnam Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1989
Yemen | Yemen Taekwondo Federation | ATU  | 1988
Albania | Albanian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1995
Andorra | Federació Andorrana de Taekwondo | ETU  | 1987
Armenia | Armenian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1996
Austria | Austrian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1973
Azerbaijan | Azerbaijan Taekwondo Federation [az] | ETU  | 1995
Belarus | Belarusian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1992
Belgium | Belgian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1975
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Taekwondo Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina | ETU  | 1993
Bulgaria | Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1990
Croatia | Croatian Taekwondo Federation [hr] | ETU  | 1992
Cyprus | Cyprus Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1982
Czech Republic | World Taekwondo Czech Republic | ETU  | 1995
Denmark | Danish Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1975
Estonia | Estonian Taekwondo WT Federation | ETU  | 1998
Faroe Islands | Faroe Islands Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 2019
Finland | Finnish Taekwondo Federation [fi] | ETU  | 1979
France | French Federation of Taekwondo and Related Disciplines | ETU  | 1975
Georgia | Georgian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1995
Germany | German Taekwondo Union | ETU  | 1973
Great Britain | British Taekwondo | ETU  | 1977
Greece | World Taekwondo Greece [el] | ETU  | 1978
Hungary | Hungarian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1989
Iceland | Icelandic Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1991
Ireland | Taekwondo Ireland | ETU  | 1983
Isle of Man | Isle of Man Taekwondo Association | ETU  | 2006
Israel | Israel Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1981
Italy | Italian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1977
Kosovo | Kosovo Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 2013
Latvia | Latvian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1992
Lithuania | Lithuanian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1992
Luxembourg | Luxembourg Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1993
Malta | Malta Taekwondo Association | ETU  | 1995
Moldova | Federation of Taekwondo of the Republic of Moldova | ETU  | 1995
Monaco | Fédération Monégasque de Taekwondo | ETU  | 1996
Montenegro | Taekwondo Association of Montenegro | ETU  | 2007
Netherlands | Taekwondo Bond Nederland [nl] | ETU  | 1976
North Macedonia | Macedonian Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 2001
Norway | Norwegian Martial Arts Federation [no] | ETU  | 1977
Poland | Polski Zwiazek Taekwondo [pl] | ETU  | 1979
Portugal | Federação Portugal Taekwondo | ETU  | 1976
Romania | Federaţia Română de Taekwondo | ETU  | 1991
Russia | Russian Taekwondo Union | ETU  | 1991
San Marino | Federazione Sammarinese Arti Marziali | ETU  | 1994
Serbia | Tekvondo Asocijacija Srbije | ETU  | 1975
Slovakia | Slovenská Asociácia Taekwondo WT | ETU  | 1994
Slovenia | Slovenian Taekwondo Association | ETU  | 1993
Spain | Federación Española de Taekwondo | ETU  | 1975
Sweden | Swedish Taekwondo Union | ETU  | 1977
Switzerland | Swiss Taekwondo | ETU  | 1977
Turkey | Turkey Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1975
Ukraine | Ukraine Taekwondo Federation | ETU  | 1993
Vatican City | Vatican Taekwondo | ETU  | 2021
American Samoa | American Samoa Taekwondo Federation | OTU  | 2007
Australia | Australian Taekwondo | OTU  | 1975
Cook Islands | Cook Islands Taekwondo Federation | OTU  | 2011
Federated States of Micronesia | Federated States of Micronesia Taekwondo Association | OTU  | 2011
Fiji | Fiji Taekwondo Association | OTU  | 1983
French Polynesia | Polynesia Taekwondo | OTU  | 1975
Guam | Guam Taekwondo Federation | OTU  | 1986
Kiribati | Kiribati Taekwondo Association | OTU  | 2006
Marshall Islands | Marshall Islands Taekwondo Federation | OTU  | 2007
Nauru | Nauru Taekwondo Association | OTU  | 2011
New Caledonia | Ligue de Taekwondo Nouvelle Calédonie | OTU  | 2010
New Zealand | Taekwondo New Zealand | OTU  | 1975
Palau | Palau Taekwondo Federation | OTU  | 2011
Papua New Guinea | Papua New Guinea Taekwondo Federation | OTU  | 2003
Samoa | Samoa Taekwondo Federation | OTU  | 1997
Solomon Islands | Solomon Islands Taekwondo Union | OTU  | 1999
Tonga | Tonga National Taekwondo Association | OTU  | 2001
Tuvalu | Tuvalu Taekwondo Association | OTU  | 2011
Vanuatu | Vanuatu Taekwondo Association | OTU  | 2004
Antigua and Barbuda | Antigua and Barbuda Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 1998
Argentina | Confederación Argentina de Taekwondo [es] | PATU  | 1976
Aruba | Aruba Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 1992
Bahamas | Bahamas Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1997
Barbados | Taekwondo Association of Barbados | PATU  | 1986
Belize | Belize Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1997
Bermuda | Bermuda Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 1983
Bolivia | Federación Boliviana de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1977
Brazil | Confederação Brasileira de Taekwondo [pt] | PATU  | 1975
Canada | Taekwondo Canada | PATU  | 1975
Cayman Islands | Cayman Islands Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1989
Chile | Federación Chilena de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1989
Colombia | Federación Colombiana de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1976
Costa Rica | Federación Costarricense de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1984
Cuba | Federación Cubana de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1993
Curaçao | Curaçao Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 2012
Dominica | Dominica Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 1999
Dominican Republic | Dominican Republic Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1983
Ecuador | Federación Ecuatoriana de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1973
El Salvador | Federación Salvadoreña de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1987
French Guiana | French Guiana Taekwondo League | PATU  | 2016
Grenada | Grenada Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 1995
Guadeloupe | Guadeloupe Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 2011
Guatemala | Guatemalan Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1991
Guyana | Guyana Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 1995
Haiti | Fédération Haïtienne de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1992
Honduras | Federación Nacional de Taekwondo de Honduras | PATU  | 1979
Jamaica | World Korean Taekwondo Jamaica | PATU  | 1977
Martinique | Ligue Martinique Taekwondo | PATU  | 2011
Mexico | Federación Mexicana de Taekwondo [es] | PATU  | 1973
Nicaragua | Federación de Taekwondo de Nicaragua | PATU  | 1991
Panama | Federación Panameña de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1989
Paraguay | Confederación Paraguaya de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1982
Peru | Federación Deportiva Peruana de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1977
Puerto Rico | Federación de Taekwondo de Puerto Rico | PATU  | 1977
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Kitts and Nevis Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1998
Saint Lucia | Saint Lucia Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1998
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | St. Vincent and the Grenadines Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 1992
Suriname | Surinaamse Taekwondo Associatie | PATU  | 1977
Trinidad and Tobago | Trinidad and Tobago Taekwondo Association | PATU  | 1983
United States | USA Taekwondo | PATU  | 1975
Uruguay | Uruguayan Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1990
Venezuela | Federación Venezolana de Taekwondo | PATU  | 1976
Virgin Islands, British | British Virgin Islands Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1998
Virgin Islands, U.S. | Virgin Islands Taekwondo Federation | PATU  | 1981

## Sparring

[edit]

Official World Taekwondo trunk protector (hogu), forearm guards and shin guards

Under World Taekwondo and Olympic rules, sparring is a full-contact event and takes place between two competitors on a matted 8 meter octagon.

Scoring of valid points is determined by using the electronic scoring system installed in what World Taekwondo designates as "Protector and Scoring Systems" (PSS). In events where the PSS are used, all scoring is determined by judges using manual scoring devices.[11]

There are now two alternate forms of contest.

### Standard form

[edit]

At the end of three rounds, the athlete with the most points is declared the winner. A tie, however, results in an additional round, known as "Golden Point". If no point is scored during the Golden Point, the player with the most registers on the PSS is declared the winner. If one athlete is knocked out, or is otherwise unable to continue as a result of a legal technique by his opponent, the other athlete is automatically awarded the victory.[12]

### Best of three system

[edit]

In the best of three system, the duration of the contest comprises three rounds of two minutes each. The contestant with the most number of points per round wins the round. The winning contestant is the one who wins the most number of rounds out of three.[11]

### Points

[edit]

Points are awarded for permitted, accurate, and powerful techniques to the legal scoring areas; light contact does not score any points. Points are awarded as follows:

* 1 point for a strike to the chest or when "Gam-jeom" is given to the opponent
* 2 points for a standard kick to the chest
* 3 points for a standard kick to the head
* 4 points for a turning kick to the chest
* 5 points for a turning kick to the head

The competition sparring rules were updated by World Taekwondo General Assembly in November 2016 in order to upgrade the sport so that it "dazzles and excites." Changes include encouraging more offensive actions with modifications to some of the point scoring and by disallowing certain leg blocks, elimination of mid-game interruptions, and improvements that simplify penalty assessment and foster better officiating.[13] These new rules took effect in January 2017.

Beginning in 2009, a kick or punch that makes contact with the opponent's hogu (the body guard that functions as a scoring target) scores one point; if a kick to the hogu involved a technique that includes fully turning the attacking competitor's body, so that the back is fully exposed to the targeted competitor during execution of the technique (spinning kick), an additional point is awarded; a kick to the head scores three points; as of October 2010 an additional point is awarded if a turning kick was used to execute this attack.[14] Punches to the head are not allowed. As of March 2010, no additional points are awarded for knocking down an opponent (beyond the normal points awarded for legal strikes).

The referee can give penalties (called "gam-jeom") at any time for rule-breaking, such as hitting an area not recognized as a target, falling, or stalling the match.

Until 2008, if one competitor gained a 7-point lead over the other, or if one competitor reached a total of 12 points, then that competitor was immediately declared the winner and the match ended. These rules were abolished by World Taekwondo at the start of 2009. In October 2010 World Taekwondo reintroduced a point gap rule. Under the new rule if a competitor has a 12-point lead at the end of the second round or achieves a 12-point lead at any point in the third round then the match is over and the athlete in the lead is declared the winner.[14]

World Taekwondo-sanctioned events allow any person, regardless of school affiliation or martial arts style, to compete in World Taekwondo events as long as he or she is a member of World Taekwondo Member National Association in his or her nation. These National Associations are open for anyone to join.

### WT World Ranking

[edit]

As of the rules established in 2017, it has been arranged a new grading for competitions that will award points to the best placed athletes. Previously the maximum was G10, now it was doubled to G20.[15] The "G" value of a tournament is used to calculate how many points an athlete is awarded for winning a tournament. For example, the Olympics as a G-20 tournament is worth five times as many points to the athlete as a Continental Championship (a G-4 tournament).[16] To compete on a WT Ranking-Points Competition the athletes need a Global License, which allows them to secure points on any country that hosts a tournament and it's affiliated with WT.[17]

Grade  | Competition

|

G1 | WT Sanctioned tournaments
World University Championships
Multi-Sport Games
World Military Championships
G2 | WT Sanctioned tournaments
Universiade
Military World Games
G4 | Grand Prix Series
Continental Championships
Continental Multi-Sport Games (with 4-year cycle)
G8 | Grand Prix Final
G12 | World Taekwondo Championships
G20 | Summer Olympics

The points awarded to the athletes are given within the following formula:

* Rank of Athlete within the tournament x Grade of Tournament

Where, generally, excluding the Summer Olympics where players tie at the same place due to the repechages:

* The first-place athlete is said to have a "rank" of 10 within the tournament
* The second-place athlete is said to have a rank of 6 within the tournament (60% of first-place)
* The third-place athlete is said to have a rank of 3.6 within the tournament (60% of second-place)
* The fourth-place athlete is said to have a rank of 2.16 within the tournament (60% of third-place)

Thereafter (generally) the percentage used is 70% rather than 60%

Example:

An athlete places 3rd at a G-8 event. Then the athlete is awarded:

(10 points x 60% x 60%) x 8 = 28.8 points.

### Attrition of Athlete Points

[edit]

When an athlete is awarded points at a Ranking-Point Tournament, those points remain attached to that athlete for four years. During a four-year period, points are deducted from the athletes rank after each completed year by 25% of the initial points.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Choue re-elected as head of taekwondo federation". USA Today. 2009-10-13. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
2. ^ "Breakthrough deal to allow N. Koreans to compete in Olympic taekwondo competitions". English.yonhapnews.co.kr. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
3. ^ a b "World Taekwondo Council elects Wuxi as host of 2025 World Taekwondo Championships". Baku: World Taekwondo. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
4. ^ "introduction". World Taekwondo Federation. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
5. ^ "Organizational structure". Farrell's US Martial Arts and Fitness. Archived from the original on 2014-12-30. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
6. ^ "Organizational structure". World Taekwondo Federation. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
7. ^ "History". World Taekwondo Federation. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
8. ^ "WTF Rebrands to World Taekwondo". World Taekwondo Federation. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
9. ^ Greg Hadley (24 June 2017). "The World Taekwondo Federation was forced to change its name, thanks to the internet". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
10. ^ "Mission and Objectives (Article 2)" (PDF). World Taekwondo Federation. Retrieved 29 December 2014.[permanent dead link]
11. ^ a b Competition Rules & Interpretation (In Force as of September 1, 2022) World Taekwondo. Last retrieved on 15 December 2022.
12. ^ "Competition rules & interpretation". World Taekwondo Federation (2010). 2 March 2010. p. 5\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2001-03-08. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
13. ^ "Taekwondo Competition Rules Altered to Make Sport 'Dazzle and Excite' Changes Adopted at WTF General Assembly in Canada". WTF. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
14. ^ a b World Taekwondo Federation (Oct 7, 2010): Competition rules & interpretation Archived 22 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine (7 October 2010, pp. 31–32). Retrieved on 27 November 2010.
15. ^ "New Competition Grading to Obtain Ranking Points". en.mastkd.com. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
16. ^ "Global License Applications". Team USA. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
17. ^ "World Taekwondo Federation Ranking Bylaw" (PDF). worldtaekwondo.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2018-12-14.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

International taekwondo competitions

World|

* World Championships
* World Cup Team Championships
* Grand Slam
* Grand Prix
* World Junior Championships

Continental|

* African Championships
* Asian Championships
* European Championships
* Junior
* Pan American Championships

Multi-sport|

* Olympics
* Paralympics
* African Games
* Arab Games
* Asian Games
* Pan American Games
* Mediterranean Games
* Islamic Solidarity Games
* Pacific Games
* World University Games
* Youth Olympics
* Deaflympics

Other|

* Commonwealth Championships
* European Universities Taekwondo Championships

* v
* t
* e

National members of World Taekwondo

Africa (AFTU)|

* ALG
* ANG
* BDI
* BEN
* BOT
* BUR
* CAF
* CGO
* CHA
* CIV
* CMR
* COD
* COM
* CPV
* EGY
* ETH
* GAB
* GAM
* GEQ
* GHA
* GUI
* KEN
* LBA
* LBR
* LES
* MAD
* MAR
* MAW
* MLI
* MRI
* MOZ
* NIG
* NGR
* RSA
* RWA
* SEN
* SEY
* SLE
* SOM
* SSD
* STP
* SUD
* SWZ
* TAN
* TOG
* TUN
* UGA
* ZAM
* ZIM

Americas (PATU)|

* ANT
* ARG
* ARU
* BAH
* BAR
* BER
* BIZ
* BOL
* BRA
* CAN
* CAY
* CHI
* COL
* CRC
* CUB
* CUW
* DMA
* DOM
* ECU
* ESA
* GLP
* GRN
* GUA
* GUY
* HAI
* HON
* ISV
* IVB
* JAM
* LCA
* MEX
* MTQ
* NCA
* PAN
* PAR
* PER
* PUR
* SKN
* SUR
* TRI
* URU
* USA
* VEN
* VIN

Asia (ATU)|

* AFG
* BAN
* BHU
* BRN
* BRU
* CAM
* CHN
* HKG
* INA
* IND
* IRI
* IRQ
* JPN
* JOR
* KAZ
* KGZ
* KOR
* KSA
* KUW
* LAO
* LIB
* MAC
* MAS
* MGL
* MYA
* NEP
* PAK
* PHI
* PLE
* QAT
* SIN
* SRI
* SYR
* THA
* TJK
* TKM
* TPE
* UAE
* UZB
* VIE
* YEM

Europe (ETU)|

* ALB
* AND
* ARM
* AUT
* AZE
* BEL
* BIH
* BLR
* BUL
* CRO
* CYP
* CZE
* DEN
* ESP
* EST
* FIN
* FRA
* GBR
* GEO
* GER
* GRE
* HUN
* IOM
* IRL
* ISL
* ISR
* ITA
* KOS
* LAT
* LTU
* LUX
* MDA
* MKD
* MLT
* MNE
* MON
* NED
* NOR
* POL
* POR
* ROU
* RUS
* SLO
* SMR
* SRB
* SUI
* SVK
* SWE
* TUR
* UKR
* VAT

Oceania (OTU)|

* ASA
* AUS
* COK
* FIJ
* FSM
* GUM
* KIR
* MHL
* NCL
* NRU
* NZL
* PLW
* PNG
* PYF
* SAM
* SOL
* TGA
* TUV
* VAN

* Pinnacle Events
* Taekwondo at the Summer Olympics
* World Taekwondo Championships

* v
* t
* e

International sports federations

ASOIF (30+2)
Summer Olympics Federations|

* AQUA (aquatic sports)
* WA (archery)
* WA (athletics)
* BWF (badminton)
* WBSC (baseball, softball and Baseball5) (associate)
* FIBA (basketball)
* WB2 (boxing)
* ICF (canoeing)
* UCI (cycling)
* WDSF (dance sport) (associate)
* FEI (equestrian)
* FIE (fencing)
* FIFA (football)
* IGF (golf)
* FIG (gymnastics)
* IHF (handball)
* FIH (field hockey)
* IJF (judo)
* UIPM (modern pentathlon)
* WSK (roller sports)
* FISA (rowing)
* WR (rugby union)
* WS (sailing)
* ISSF (shooting)
* IFSC (sport climbing)
* ISA (surfing)
* ITTF (table tennis)
* WT (taekwondo)
* ITF (tennis)
* TRI (triathlon)
* FIVB (volleyball)
* IWF (weightlifting)
* UWW (wrestling)

AIOWF (7)
Winter Olympics Federations|

* IBU (biathlon)
* IBSF (bobsleigh and skeleton)
* WC (curling)
* IIHF (ice hockey)
* FIL (luge)
* ISU (skating sports)
* FIS (skiing and snowboarding sports)

ARISF (39)
Others recognised by IOC|

* FAI (air sports)
* IFAF (American football)
* FIA (auto racing)
* FIB (bandy)
* WBSC (baseball, softball and Baseball5)
* FIPV (basque pelota)
* WCBS (billiards sports)
* CMSB (boules)
* IBF (bowling)
* WBF (bridge)
* ICU (cheer)
* FIDE (chess)
* ICC (cricket)
* WDSF (dance sport)
* IFF (floorball)
* WFDF (flying disc)
* IFI (ice stock sport)
* WKF (karate)
* WAKO (kickboxing)
* IKF (korfball)
* WL (lacrosse)
* ILSF (life saving)
* FIM (motorcycle sport)
* UIAA (mountaineering)
* IFMA (muaythai)
* WN (netball)
* IOF (orienteering)
* FIP (polo)
* UIM (powerboating)
* IRF (racquetball)
* FIAS (sambo)
* ISMF (ski mountaineering)
* WSF (squash)
* IFS (sumo)
* TWIF (tug-of-war)
* CMAS (underwater sports)
* FISU (university sports)
* IWWF (waterski and wakeboard)
* IWUF (wushu)

AIMS (20)
Others in SportAccord|

* IAF (aikido)
* WAF (arm wrestling)
* IFBB (bodybuilding)
* ICSF (casting)
* WDF (darts)
* IDBF (dragon boat)
* FMJD (draughts)
* IFA (fistball)
* IGF (go)
* JJIF (ju-jitsu)
* FIK (kendo)
* WMF (minigolf)
* IPF (powerlifting)
* IPSC (practical shooting)
* FISav (savate)
* ISTAF (sepak takraw)
* ISFF (sleddog)
* ISTF (soft tennis)
* CIPS (sport fishing)
* FITEQ (teqball)

former GAISF
observer members (11)|

* WDA (dodgeball)
* FIFG (footgolf)
* IJRU (jump rope)
* IUKL (kettlebell lifting)
* FISO (obstacle)
* IPF (padel)
* IFMP (poker)
* IPSF (pole dance)
* IRF (rafting)
* IRL (rugby league)
* ITSF (table football/soccer)

Others|

* WEKAF (arnis)
* AFLC (Australian rules football)
* WBGF (backgammon)
* ISBHF (ball hockey)
* IBA (bodyboarding)
* WB (bowls)
* IBA1,2 (boxing)
* SJJIF (Brazilian jiu-jitsu)
* IFBA (broomball)
* WCF (croquet)
* WDBF (dodgeball)
* ICFRA (fullbore rifle)
* IGAA (Gaelic football and hurling)
* ATSX (downhill ice cross)
* IKF2 (kabaddi)
* WK2 (kabaddi)
* IKF (kempo)
* FISLY (landsailing)
* IMMAF (mixed martial arts)
* WMRA (mountain running)
* ORSI (ocean rowing)
* IPF (pickleball)
* IQA (quad ball)
* IFMAR (radio-controlled racing)
* IRF (rogaining)
* WSSF (snowshoe running)
* ISF (skyrunning)
* WSSA (sport stacking)
* ITHF (table hockey)
* ITPF (tent pegging)
* FIT (touch football)
* ITRA (trail running)
* IAU (ultra running)

* International Olympic Committee
* International World Games Association
* SportAccord

* 1 IOC recognition withdrawn
* 2 Contested governance

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

*[CU]: Continental Union
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