USATKD PARA TAEKWONDO
- Apply for the Para Taekwondo Talent Search, opens in a new tab
Team USA is looking for the Next Generation of Paralympic Taekwondo Athletes
The USOPC and USA Taekwondo are looking to connect with athletes with upper-limb impairments. Examples of eligible impairments and underlying health conditions for Paralympic taekwondo include but are not limited to: Arthrogryposis, Brachial plexus injury, or Erb’s palsy, Single or bilateral upper limb amputations, amniotic band syndrome, or dysmelia.
Athletes interested in taking the next step: Complete the talent search survey at the link below. Athletes who complete the survey before August 31st will be considered for a Para taekwondo talent ID camp taking place this fall.
Questions: Complete the survey or reach out to the USOPC’s Paralympic Pathway team at Paralympicsport.info@usopc.org
US PARA TAEKWONDO
Breaking Barriers. Building Champions.
USA Taekwondo is proud to lead the way in developing, supporting, and empowering Para athletes on their journey through the sport. Our Para Program is built to: Provide world‑class training, coaching, and resources, create clear pathways for athletes of all levels to reach their potential and showcase the power, spirit, and resilience of Para Taekwondo on the domestic and international stages. From first‑time competitors to Para medal contenders, every athlete belongs here. Together, we are building history, inspiring communities, and showing the world what’s possible. Become part of Team USA’s Para journey.
WHAT IS PARA-TAEKWONDO?
Para Taekwondo is the adaptation of traditional Taekwondo for athletes with physical and cognitive impairments, ensuring that everyone has access to the art’s discipline, athleticism, and self‑expression. It maintains the same spirit, values, and technical foundations as Olympic Taekwondo, while offering fair and structured pathways for participation and competition.
WHO IS PARA-TAEKWONDO FOR?
Para Taekwondo Is For Athletes Who Want To Do Any of the Following...
- Train in a supportive, adaptive martial arts environment
- Build confidence, discipline, and physical strength
- Compete at local, national, and international levels
- Pursue a pathway to the Paralympic Games
- Join a team that values resilience, courage, and excellence
HOW IS PARA-TAEKWONDO DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL TAEKWONDO?
Para Taekwondo is Taekwondo — the same discipline, the same core movements, the same values, and the same commitment to excellence. What changes is the way the sport is structured so that more athletes can participate fully and safely.
- Athletes are grouped by ability Classification ensures fair, meaningful competition by matching athletes with similar functional abilities.
- Rules and formats are adapted when needed Adjustments may be made to scoring, permitted techniques, or competition structure depending on the division, always prioritizing safety and fairness.
- Coaching is more individualized Coaches tailor instruction to each athlete’s strengths, needs, and movement patterns, meeting athletes exactly where they are.
PARA-TAEKWONDO COMPETITION CLASSIFICATIONS
Para Taekwondo is for athletes who wants to challenge themselves, express themselves through movement, and be part of a community that celebrates ability, not limitation. Para-taekwondo classifications include:
- Physical Impairments (poomsae & sparring)
- Hearing Impairments (poomsae)
- Visual Impairments (poomsae)
- Intellectual Impairments (poomsae )
- Neurological Impairments (poomsae)
- Assistive Technology (poomsae)
- Short Stature (poomsae)
WHAT IS THE PARA-TAEKWONDO POOMSAE?
🥋 Para Forms (Poomsae)
Para Poomsae allows athletes to perform a sequence of movements that highlight balance, focus, strength, and control. It is an expressive and highly adaptable discipline within Para Taekwondo.
- Emphasizes precision, rhythm, and self‑expression
- Accessible to a wide range of athletes, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- A strong entry point for new participants, offering a welcoming path into the sport
- Builds foundational skills that support confidence, coordination, and mastery
WHAT IS PARA-TAEKWONDO SPARRING?
⚔️ Para Sparring (Kyorugi)
Para Kyorugi is a dynamic, competitive discipline where athletes engage in controlled matches against an opponent. It showcases strategy, timing, and athletic resilience.
- Adapted rules and classification systems ensure fair, safe, and equitable competition
- Focuses on timing, strategy, and controlled contact, emphasizing skill over force
- Featured in the Paralympic Games, representing the highest level of Para Taekwondo competition
- Provides a pathway for elite athletes to compete nationally and internationally
Classification Overview
Classification provides a structure for Paralympic competition. The International Paralympic Committee has adopted a universal classification code in order to facilitate the implementation of accurate, reliable, and credible sport-specific classification systems. The classification process determines who is eligible to compete in a Paralympic sport and it groups the eligible athletes in sport classes according to their activity limitation in a certain sport. For more information about Paralympic classification and the IPC Athlete Classification Code, please visit the IPC Classification Webpage.
World Taekwondo is the international federation for Paralympic Taekwondo. WT Para is responsible for creating and implementing the rules and regulations that govern the Paralympic Taekwondo classification system. For more information about World Para Taekwondo.
All national classifications conducted in the United States fall under the governance of U.S. Paralympics as the National Paralympic Committee for the United States. For more information about the national classification policies and procedures, please visit the U.S. Paralympics Classification Policies and Procedures Webpage.
Classification Database
The USA Taekwondo National Database includes all athletes whose classification information is on file with either the IPC, WT and/or U.S. Paralympics. Athletes who have been nationally or internationally classified as per the Code and/or the U.S. Paralympics Classification Policies and Procedures are included.
Only athletes who have a current World Athlete License and are classified with WT will appear on the list.
National Classification Database
Link: Coming Soon...
National Classification and Opportunities
All athletes who wish to compete in the Paralympic divisions at events must undergo a national classification evaluation to determine their sport class. The steps to obtaining a national classification are outlined below.
2023 Classification Opportunities
2023 Events Hosting Classification
Athletes with a Physical Impairment
1. Submit the national medical diagnostics form to the USATKD Director of Para. The form should clearly define which of the eligible impairment(s) the athlete has and supporting documentation should be provided to verify the underlying health condition or origin of the impairment(s). The national medical diagnosis form must be submitted prior to attending a classification evaluation.
National Medical Diagnosis Form - Submit to Eric Wininger @ ewininger@usatkd.org.
2. Register for an event that has a national classification panel
2023 Classification Opportunities
3. Attend a classification evaluation. Classification takes place one or two days prior to competition and participation in the competition is required to complete classification. The evaluation process consists of:
a. Physical Assessment - a series of functional ability tests performed by a Medical Classifier
b. Technical Assessment - a series of practical ability tests observed by a Technical Classifier
c. Provisional Sport Class Allocated - Based on the results of both of the above tests, athletes are allocated a provisional sport class
d. Observation in Competition - This will confirm or alter the provisional sport class allocation
For information regarding the USATKD Paralympic Program, contact Eric Wininger at ewininger@usatkd.org
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