Taekwondo is a Korean form of martial arts involving punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast kicking techniques. The literal translation for tae kwon do is “kicking”, “punching”, and “the art or way of”. They are a kind of martial arts in which one attacks or defends with hands and feet anytime or anywhere, with occasional use of weapons. The physical training undertaken in Taekwondo is purposeful and fosters strength of mind through mental armament.

Taekwondo practitioners wear a uniform, known as a dobok. It is a combat sport and was developed during the 1940s and 1950s by Korean martial artists with experience in martial arts such as karate, Chinese martial arts, and indigenous Korean martial arts traditions such as Taekkyon, Subak, and Gwonbeop.

Para Taekwondo is an adaptation of Taekwondo for disabled athletes and is conducted in two disciplines: Kyorugi (sparring) and Poomsae (forms).

In 2005, World Taekwondo (WT) formed the Para-Taekwondo Committee in an effort to develop and promote Taekwondo to athletes of all disabilities. On October 16, 2013, WT became an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) recognized International Federation (IF), a recognition of the ongoing work to develop Para-Taekwondo. In January of 2014 WT submitted a letter of intent to the IPC to apply for para-taekwondo to be on the 2020 Paralympic Program.

CLASSIFICATIONS

*** Classifications for Kyorugi have a “K” prefix and Poomsae have a “P” prefix