FOUR USATKD MEMBERS ATTAIN CERTIFICATION AS WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO NATIONAL CLASSIFIERS

FOUR USATKD MEMBERS ATTAIN CERTIFICATION AS WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO NATIONAL CLASSIFIERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Charlotte, NC (December 19, 2025) – USA Taekwondo proudly announces that four of its members—Mark Back, Kathryn “Katie” Barr, Caroline Inay-Park, and Tomie Miles—have earned Level I certification as World Para Taekwondo National Classifiers. These credentials, awarded by World Taekwondo, qualify them to serve as national classifiers for a four-year term.  In addition to these USATKD members, coach Brad DeMinck previously attained Level I classification.

Back, Inay-Park, and Miles are also USA Taekwondo referees certified by World Taekwondo to officiate internationally in both kyorugi (sparring) and poomsae (forms). Barr is a member of the Fortis medical team and regularly supports athletes at USA Taekwondo regional and national events.

“We are grateful to have such dedicated USA Taekwondo members who willingly invest their time and expertise to attend certification courses and master the complexities of international athlete classification systems,” said USA Taekwondo CEO Steve McNally. “Strengthening the USATKD Paralympic Program is a top priority, and developing a strong corps of national classifiers is a critical foundation for that growth.”

Para Taekwondo made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with para-athletes from 17 countries—including the United States—competing for six medals (3male/3female) in kyorugi (K40). At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, participation expanded to 19 countries and 10 medal events, marking the largest sport-specific increase at those Games. U.S. Paralympian Evan Medell earned bronze medals at both Tokyo and Paris Games. In January 2023, Para Taekwondo was officially included in the LA28 Paralympic Games program.

“Classification is the central nervous system of the Paralympic Movement,” according to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in its January 2025 update to the IPC Classification Code. The IPC governs the Paralympic Movement and oversees the delivery of the Paralympic Games. Athlete classification determines eligibility to compete in a Paralympic sport and groups eligible athletes into sport classes based on the type of their impairment.

All athletes wishing to compete in Paralympic divisions must undergo a national classification evaluation. In the United States, national classifications fall under the governance of U.S. Paralympics, the National Paralympic Committee. World Taekwondo serves as the international federation for Paralympic Taekwondo, with World Para Taekwondo responsible for establishing and implementing the classification rules and regulations.

World Para Taekwondo currently recognizes sport classes for poomsae and/or kyorugi athletes with visual impairments (P10), intellectual impairments (P20), neurological impairments (P30), physical impairments (P40 and K40), assistive device users (P50), hearing impairments (P60 and K60), and athletes of short stature (P70). Competition rules for Para Taekwondo have been adapted to ensure events are accessible, fair, and inclusive across all IPC-recognized impairment groups.

The World Para Taekwondo classifier pathway includes progressive certification levels for medical and technical classifiers: Level I (National Classifier), Level II (International K40), Level III (International P30), and Level IV (International P40, P50, and P70). Advancement is achieved through World Taekwondo certification courses, practical examinations, and evaluations at international Para Taekwondo championships.

For more information about classification or the USA Taekwondo Paralympic Program, contact Eric Wininger at ewininger@usatkd.org.

About USA Taekwondo

USA Taekwondo is the National Governing Body for Taekwondo in the U.S., recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and World Taekwondo. The organization is responsible for the selection, training and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, and other international competition, while serving its members through leadership, resources, and opportunities in taekwondo. USATKD supports athletes and officials from grassroots to elite levels, offering programs that build champions on and off the mat.

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