U.S. National Team Pathways & Athlete Selection Procedures
2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document - ELITE ATHLETES
CLICK HERE, opens in a new tabThe 2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document outlines 2025 USATKD Events and qualification procedures for each event. This document is for ELITE ATHLETES (Cadet Black Belts, Junior Black Belts and Senior Black Belts). -(Published 10/24/24)
2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document - ASPIRING ATHLETES
CLICK HERE, opens in a new tabThe 2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document outlines 2025 USATKD Events, qualification procedures for each event and a new ASPIRING DOMINANT ATHLETE opportunity and benefits. This document is for ASPIRING Sparring and Poomsae Athletes. (Updated 8/11/25 to specify Aspiring Athletes include All Non-World Class Divisions for Sparring and Poomsae)
2025-2026 U.S. NATIONAL TEAM PATHWAYS - POOMSAE
VIEW, opens in a new tabThis document contains the 2025 U.S. Taekwondo Competition Season Events, the pathways to qualify for the 2026 U.S. National Taekwondo Team Trial and the competition format for the 2026 U.S. National Taekwondo Team Trial. (Updated 9/12/25 to include the Team Trials competition process.
2025-2026 U.S. NATIONAL TEAM PATHWAY - SENIORS
VIEW, opens in a new tabUpdated on 9/3/25. On page 6, the competition format and team trial seeding sections have been updated.
2025-2026 U.S. NATIONAL TEAM PATHWAY - JUNIORS
VIEW, opens in a new tabThis document contains 2026 U.S. Team Trial qualification and seeding information. (2/2/25)
2025-2026 U.S. NATIONAL TEAM PATHWAY - CADETS
VIEW, opens in a new tabThis document contains 2026 U.S. Team Trial qualification and seeding information. (2/2/25)
PARA-KYORUGI - K44 DIVISION
USATKD is excited to share the Preliminary Notice to the Athlete Selection Procedures for the Para-Kyorugi - K44 Division.
Preliminary Notice to the Athlete Selection Procedures for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (Posted 10/10/25)
For questions regarding the 2028 Olympic Games - LA, contact either Eric Wininger at ewininger@usatkd.org or Stephen Lambdin at slambdin@usatkd.org.
USATKD U21 NATIONAL TEAM ATHLETE SELECTION PROCEDURES (Posted 11/5/25)
USATKD U21 NATIONAL TEAM STAFF SELECTION PROCEDURES (Posted 11/5/25)
2026 SENIOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ATHLETE SELECTION PROCEDURES (Amended 11/3/25: Revised automatic qualification to World Rankings to match originally established criteria through National Pathways.)
2026 SENIOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ATHLETE SELECTION PROCEDURES (Amended 10/17/25: Clarification point added regarding athletes transferring MNAs)
2026 SENIOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ATHLETE SELECTION PROCEDURES (Posted 10/17/25)
2026 SENIOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS STAFF SELECTION PROCEDURES (Posted 10/17/25)
2026 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES - PRELIMINARY NOTICE TO ATHELTE SELECTION PROCEDURES
For questions regarding the Youth Olympic Games, contact either Eric Wininger at ewininger@usatkd.org or Stephen Lambdin at slambdin@usatkd.org.
2025 WORLD TAEKWONDO GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE- BANGKOK
2025 WORLD TAEKWONDO GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE - BANGKOK - USATKD ATHLETE ENTRY PROCEDURE (Posted 9/4/25)
Due to the high demand and strict entry limits set by World Taekwondo, USA Taekwondo (USATKD) has established a clear process to determine which athletes will be registered for the event when interest exceeds the allowed quota.
2025 UNDER 21 WORLD TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIP/WORLD CUP
2025 UNDER 21 WORLD TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIP/WORLD CUP (Posted 6/4/2025)
2025 UNDER 21 WORLD TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONHSIP/WORLD CUP STAFF SELECTION PROCEDURES - (Updated 8/21/25)
2025 WORLD TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS (WUXI, CHINA)
2025 World Taekwondo Championships Athletes Selection Procedures(Updated 10/12/24) to reflect that the top 6 auto qualification to the 2025 World Championships team is based on 1/1/25 Olympic ranking finish, and not world ranking finish)
2025 World Taekwondo Championships Athletes Selection Procedures (Original version)
2025 World Taekwondo Championship Staff Selection Procedures
2025 JUNIOR PAN AMERICAN GAMES PROCEDURES
2025 JUNIOR PAN AMERICAN GAMES - ATHLETE AGREEMENT
2025 JUNIOR PAN AM ATHLETE AGREEMENT - SPARRING
2025 JUNIOR PAN AM ATHLETE AGREEMENT - POOMSAE
2025 JUNIOR PAN AMERICAN GAMES - STAFF SELECTION PROCEDURES
2025 JUNIOR PAN AM GAMES STAFF SELECTION PROCEDURES
Final Procedures
2025 JUNIOR PAN AM GAMES ATHLETE SELECTION PROCEDURES - SPARRING
2025 JUNIOR PAN AM GAMES ATHLETE SELECTION PROCEDURES - POOMSAE
Preliminary Procedures
USA Taekwondo is providing a preliminary notification for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games taking place July 11 – 20, 2025 in Asuncion, Paraguay. This document does not serve as the selection procedures for kyorugi or poomsae. The notification is only to provide information is currently available. This information can change and is not final. Once a qualification guide is published USATKD will create selection procedures for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games.
2025 WORLD TAEKWONDO GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE - MUJU
Due to the high demand and strict entry limits set by World Taekwondo, USA Taekwondo (USATKD) has established a clear process to determine which athletes will be registered for the event when interest exceeds the allowed quota.
2025 WORLD TAEKWONDO GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE - MUJU - USATKD ATHLETE ENTRY PROCEDURE (Posted 6/9/25)
2025 GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE - CHARLOTTE
Due to the high demand and strict entry limits set by World Taekwondo, USA Taekwondo (USATKD) has established a clear process to determine which athletes will be registered for the event when interest exceeds the allowed quota.
CHARLOTTE 2025 WORLD TAEKWONDO GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE - USATKD ATHLETE ENTRY PROCEDURE
COACH REGISTRATION PROCEDURES 2025 GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE – CHARLOTTE (JUNE 13-15, 2025)
USATKD JUNIOR AND CADET STAFF SELECTION PROCEDURES
2025 USATKD Junior and Cadet Staff Selection Procedures
2025 USATKD COMPETITION SEASON PROCEDURES
2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document - National Team Pathway - Seniors (This document contains 2026 U.S. Team Trial qualification and seeding information. (2/2/25))
2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document - ELITE ATHLETES (Original Posted 10/24/24)
2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document - ASPIRING ATHLETES (Updated 2/24/25 for typo)
2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document - ASPIRING ATHLETES (Updated 10/24/24 to clarify event qualification details)
2025-2026 USATKD Competition Qualification Document - ASPIRING ATHLETES (Original Posted 10/24/24)
2025-2026 National Team Pathways - POOMSAE (1/30/25)
2024 PATHWAY QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENTS & ATHLETE RESULTS
The below documents contain Pathway Qualification Tournaments (per division) and athlete medal results.
SPARRING:
- Senior Pathway Qualification List
- Junior Pathway Qualification List
- Cadet Pathway Qualification List
- Youth Pathway Qualification List
POOMSAE:
2025 WORLD TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS
- 2025 World Taekwondo Championships Athletes Selection Procedures (Updated 10/12/24) to reflect that the top 6 auto qualification to the 2025 World Championships team is based on 1/1/25 Olympic ranking finish, and not world ranking finish)
- Athlete Selection Procedures (Original version)
- Staff Selection Procedures
2025 JUNIOR PAN AMERICAN GAMES - PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION
USA Taekwondo is providing a preliminary notification for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games taking place July 11 – 20, 2025 in Asuncion, Paraguay. This document does not serve as the selection procedures for kyorugi or poomsae. The notification is only to provide information is currently available. This information can change and is not final. Once a qualification guide is published USATKD will create selection procedures for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games. The Junior Pan American Games is for athletes born between 2004 – 2009.
2024 COMPETITION SEASON - USATKD PROCEDURES
2024 USATKD Competition Season Qualification | Sparring & Poomsae 12/11/23
2024 USATKD Competition Season Qualification | Sparring & Poomsae 2/26/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway SPARRING - SENIOR 1/26/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway SPARRING - JUNIOR 1/26/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway SPARRING - CADET 1/26/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway SPARRING - YOUTH 1/26/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway SPARRING - ULTRA 1/26/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway POOMSAE 2/13/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway POOMSAE 2/14/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway POOMSAE 2/22/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway POOMSAE 3/21/24
2024-2025 U.S. National Team Pathway POOMSAE 3/28/24
SPECIAL POOMSAE TEAM TRIAL 7/26/24
This document includes procedures for the Special Poomsae Team trial that will be held at the 2024 U.S. Final Championships. This team trial event will only select pairs or teams for select divisions that did not have a winner declared at the January Team Trial in Charlotte, NC. (Added 7/26/24)2024 OLYMPIC GAMES
2024 Olympic Games - USATKD Athlete Selection Procedures - Amended 11/28/23
- The 2024 Olympic Games - USATKD Athlete Selection Procedures were amended on 11/28/23 to reflect updated dates and locations provided by World Taekwondo. Changes are reflected in red. If you have questions, please email Stephen Lambdin @ slambdin@usatkd.org. *Updated here 11/28/23*
- As notified by World Taekwondo on November 21, 2023, the 2024 Pan American Olympic Qualification event will be held April 9-10, 2024, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. *Updated here 11/24/23*
2024 Olympic Games Staff Selection Procedures - Document Posted 12/18/23.
2024 Olympic Games Weight Division Selection Notice - Date Posted 12/18/23
2024 PARALYMPIC GAMES
2024 Paralympic Games - Athlete Selection Procedures - Posted 12/19/23
2024 Paralympic Games - Staff Selection Procedures (2/15/24)
USATKD PROCEDURES
- SENIOR SPARRING PATHWAY
- JUNIOR SPARRING PATHWAY
- CADET SPARRING PATHWAY
- YOUTH SPARRING PATHWAY
- ULTRA SPARRING PATHWAY
- DRAGON & TIGER ALL BELTS / YOUTH COLOR BELTS SPARRING PATHWAY
- POOMSAE PATHWAY
- NATIONAL TEAM PATHWAY INFORMATION PACKET (SPARRING AND POOMSAE)
INTERNATIONAL EVENT PRODEDURES
Pan American Games - Athlete Procedures
- Approval Letter (updated on 10/17/2023)
- USA Taekwondo 2023 Pan American Games Athlete Selection Procedures: SPARRING (updated on 10/17/23)
- USA Taekwondo 2023 Pan American Games Athlete Selection Procedures: POOMSAE
- 2023 Pan Am Games Athlete Agreement
- USA Taekwondo 2023 Pan Am Games Staff Selection Procedures
ParaPan American Games - Athletic Procedures
(2022 Competition determines 2023 USATKD National Team Member)
- SENIOR SPARRING ATHLETE PATHWAY
- JUNIOR SPARRING ATHLETE PATHWAY
- CADET SPARRING ATHLETE PATHWAY
- ULTRA SPARRING ATHLETE PATHWAY
- COLOR BELT ATHLETE PATHWAY
- POOMSAE PATHWAY (AMENDED 3/29/23)
- POOMSAE PATHWAY
- World Taekwondo Grand Prix Selection Procedure (Used in the event more than two athletes qualify for a single weight division)
- 2022 Cadet & Junior World Championship Selection Procedures (AMENDED)
FURTHER AMENDMENT TO SENIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SELECTION PROCEDURE
“Due to the recently announced Senior Pan Am Championships to be held May 3-4 in the Dominican Republic, USA Taekwondo is hosting an open Team Trial that athletes can compete in to earn a spot on the 2022 Senior Pan Am Championship Team. This team trial will be considered a major in the pathways to the World Championship team therefore athletes who earn a quota on the Senior Pan Am Championship team will be eligible for the World Championship fight off, except in the case that there is a dominant athlete in that division.”
- 2021 Senior Pan Am Championships
- 2021 Mexican Open
- 2021 U.S. National Championships
- 2021 Grand Slam
- 2021 Grand Prix Final (delayed until April 2022)
- 2022 Pan Am Championships Fight off
- Winner of a gold medal at a G-2 event in 2021 or 2022 up until the 2022 Grand Prix Final Points until the Grand Prix Final"
2021 TEAM SELECTION PROCEDURES & INFORMATION
- 2021 Cadet World Championship Selection Procedure
- 2021 World Taekwondo Poomsae Challenge Selection Procedures
- 2021 National Poomsae Team Selection Procedures (Uploaded on 7/6/20)
- UPDATED 2020 Olympic Games Staff Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 6/30/2020)USOPC Aprroval
- UPDATED 2020 Paralympic Games Staff Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 5/28/2020)
2020 TEAM SELECTION PROCEDURES & INFORMATION
- 2020 Junior World Championships Selection Procedure(Uploaded on 19/9/2019, updated on 15/1/2020)
- 2020 Cadet Pan Am Championships Selection Procedure(Uploaded on 19/9/2019, updated on 15/1/2020)
- 2020 Senior Pan Am Championships Selection Procedure(Uploaded on 19/9/2019, updated on 15/1/2020)
- 2020 Paralympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures (Uploaded on 12/17/2019)USOPC Approval
- 2020 Senior Poomsae Pan Am Championships Team Selection Procedures (Uploaded on 10/28/2019)
- 2020 World Poomsae Championships Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 9/18/2019) (Revised on 10/2/2019)
2020 Senior, Junior & Cadet National Team Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 12/31/2018) (Amended on 6/11/2019 to include waiver)(2020 Pathways will be published shortly)
FURTHER AMENDMENT TO CADET WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SELECTION PROCEDURE
"Due to the elongated selection period as a result of the Covid-19 delays to Cadet World Championships many athletes who were classified as Youth in 2021 are now cadets and therefore eligible, and many athletes who were classified as Cadets in 2021 are now juniors and therefore ineligible for Cadet Worlds. To provide fairness and opportunity to all eligible athletes USATKD is opening the Cadet Worlds Fight Off to all current Cadets ranked in the Top 3 of the U.S. National Rankings as of April 11, 2022. They will qualify alongside the winners of the Major Tournaments listed in the Cadet Worlds Pathway."
2021 Senior World Championship Selection Procedure (AMENDED)
CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW FOR AMENDMENTS DUE TO POSTPONEMENT OF THE GAMES (MARCH 27,2020)
2020 Olypmic Games Athlete Selection Procedures(Updated on 2/22/2021)
Athlete FAQs CLICK HERE for updates from the USOPC regarding qualifications, USOPC benefits and services, as well as mental health and other resources.
THE WINDOW TO SUBMIT OLYMPIC ATHLETE APPLICATIONS IS NOW CLOSED.APPLICATIONS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED.
- 2019 Senior National Poomsae Team Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 6/24/2019)
- 2019 Cadet World Championships Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 5/3/2019)
- 2019 Cadet & Junior Poomsae Pan Am Championships Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 4/11/2019)
- 2019 Parapan American Games Selection Procedures(Uploaded 1/29/2019) USOC Approval
- 2019 Junior & Cadet Pan American Championships Athlete Selection Procedures (Uploaded on 12/31/2018)
- 2019 Senior World Championships Athlete Selection Procedures (Amended - Uploaded on 12/7/2018)
2019 Senior World Championships Athlete Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 9/18/2018)- 2019 Pan American Games Selection Procedures (Sparring)(Amended - Uploaded 5/23/2019) USOC ApprovalAmended copy shows change in Team Nomination Date
- 2019 Pan American Games Selection Procedures (Poomsae) (Amended - Uploaded 5/23/2019) USOC ApprovalAmended copy shows change in Team Nomination Date
2019 Pan American Games Selection Procedures (Poomsae)(Uploaded on 11/15/2018)USOC Approval- 2019 Parapan American Games USAT Staff Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 6/19/2018)
- 2019 Pan American Games USAT Staff Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 11/15/2017)
2018 U.S. Cadet National Team Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 6/14/18)
- 2018 U.S. World Championships National Poomsae Team Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 6/12/2018)
- 2018 U.S. Senior Pan Am Championships National Poomsae Team Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 2/21/2018)
- 2018 U.S. Youth Olympic Games Staff Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 12/12/17)
- 2018 U.S. Youth Olympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 11/15/2017)
- 2018 U.S. Junior National Team Selection Procedures (Uploaded on 1/9/2018)
- **Athletes who competed at the 2018 Junior World Championships and are eligible to compete in the Senior division may be given a waiver into their chosen weight class in the Senior World Class Division at the 2018 USATKD National Championships.
- 2018 U.S. Senior National Team Selection Procedures (Uploaded on 2/27/2017) (Amended procedures uploaded 10/10/17)
2017 TEAM SELECTION PROCEDURES & INFORMATION
- 2017 World Team Championships Coach Selection Procedures
- (Uploaded 11/7/17)
- 2017 World Taekwondo Team Championships Selection Procedures
- (Uploaded 11/7/17)
- 2017 U.S. National Poomsae Coach Pool Selection Procedures
- (Uploaded 9/27/17)
- Discrepancies on pages one and two regarding the submission deadline have been corrected on 9/27.
- 2017 U.S. National Poomsae Team Selection Procedures
- (Uploaded 5/4/17)
- 2017 U.S. Senior National Para Taekwondo Selection Procedures(Uploaded on 3/1/17)
- 2017 U.S. Junior National Team Selection Procedures (Uploaded on 6/2/17)
- Minor clarifications made in regards to date of competition and date of late registration deadline for 2017 National Championships.
- 2017 U.S. Cadet National Team Selection Procedures(Updated on 6/30/17)
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ. Following the withdrawal of the U.S. Team from the 3rd World Cadet Championships in Sharm el-Sheikh for security reasons please read the changes to the selection procedures carefully to ensure you understand.
2017 U.S. Junior and Cadet National Teams – The 2017 National Championships will decide who is chosen for the 2017 Junior and Cadet National Teams. To qualify for the 2017 National Championships you must compete in a State Championship. Full Selection Procedures for the 2017 Junior and Cadet National Teams will be posted shortly.
2017 U.S. National Poomsae Team - All athletes who qualified and participated in the 2016 USAT National Poomsae Team Trials (Colorado Springs, CO. August 26-27, 2016) will receive a performance waiver for the 2017 State-Sanctioned Championships and may advance directly to the 2017 USAT National Championships (June 29-July 6, 2017) if still eligible to compete in the same division in 2017. Members of pairs and teams must compete with the same partners and teams to be eligible for this waiver.
The selection procedures for the 2017 U.S. National Poomsae Team will be published within the next two weeks. (Posted on February 14, 2017)
2017 Senior Team Trials - 2017 Team Trials will be an open event. There will be no pre-qualification event(s), the Team Trials will be open to all USA Taekwondo members. However, seeding for the 2017 Senior Team Trials will be based off performance in the 2016 National Championships. If you are not seeded from the 2016 National Championships, you will be randomly seeded.
Click HERE to download the detailed Team Selection Procedure. Click HERE to download the Exhibit A document referenced.
2016 - OLYMPIC GAMES
- 2016 Olympic Team Coach Selection Procedures (uploaded on March 11, 2016)
- 2016 Olympic Team Selection Procedures
- 2016 Olympic Team Selection Procedures for Team Leader (uploaded on January 28, 2016)
- 2016 Olympic Team Selection Procedures for Additional Officials (uploaded on January 28, 2016)
2016 - POOMSAE
- 2016 National Poomsae Additional Coach Selection Procedures (uploaded August 12, 2016) 2016 National Poomsae Team Selection Procedures (uploaded January 28, 2016)
2016 - SPARRING
- 2016 Junior National Team Selection Procedures (uploaded January 19, 2016)
- 2016 Cadet National Team Selection Procedures (uploaded January 19, 2016)
- 2016 National Team Selection Procedures(Revised March 24 2016. Reason: Amended procedure regarding Pan Am Championships, changes in red)
- 2016 National Team Trials Waiver Information
- 2015 Wild Card Application Form
2015 - PAN AMERICAN GAMES
- Pan Am Games Qualifying Event - Letter
- Athlete Selection Procedures
- Coach Selection Procedures
- Team Leader Selection Procedure
- Additional Official Selection Procedures
2015 - SPARRING
- -2015 Cadet National Team Selection Procedures Selection procedure amended July 6th; semi-finals will be double elimination
- -2015 Junior National Team Selection Procedures Selection procedure amended July 6th; semi-finals will be double elimination
- -2015 Senior National Team Selection Procedures (amended Friday 30th January 2015)
2015 - PARA TAEKWONDO
2015 - POOMSAE
- - 2015 National Poomsae Team Selection Procedures (Revised June 10th 2015. Reason: Team Trial information added to page 1, phase 3) (Revised June 15th 2015. Reason: Change on page 1, now reads "2015 International Open or Championships to be determined") (Revised July 15th 2015. Reason: Clarification of performance waiver)
Selection Procedures for Cadets, Junior and Senior National Teams have all been posted.
2014 - SPARRING
- -2014 Senior National Team Selection Procedures -2014 Senior National Team Trials Wild Card Application -2014 Youth Olympic Games Selection Procedures -2014 Junior National Team Selection Procedures -2014 Cadet National Team Selection Procedures -2014 Youth Olympic Games Staff Selection Procedures
2014 - POOMSAE -2014 Poomsae National Team Selection Procedures
POOMSAE
- -2012 U.S. National Poomsae Team - Free Style Dominant athletes would be the winners of 5 of the following Major Qualifiers:
SPARRING
- 2012 World Cup Selection Procedures
- 2012 Junior National Team Selection Procedures
- 2012 Olympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures (amended Oct. 20, 2010)
- USOC letter approving 2012 Olympic Games Staff Selection Procedures
- 2012 Olympic Games Additional Officials Selection Procedures
- 2012 Olympic Games Coach Selection Procedures
- 2012 Olympic Games Team Leader Selection Procedures
- 2012 National Team Selection Procedures
- 2012 Junior World Championships Selection Procedures