Rules & divisions
Competition rules, weight and age divisions, required equipment, weigh-in times and awards. The latest published World Taekwondo rules and interpretations apply throughout.
On this page
Black belt only
High performance kyorugi
Competition system
- Best of 3 system
- Single elimination tournament system
- K2 KPNP system
Round duration
- Cadet
- 1:30 minute round
45 second break between rounds - Junior & Senior
- 2:00 minute round
1 minute break between rounds
Seeding
Competitor draws are conducted randomly. Match-ups with WT divisions take priority; Olympic divisions are secondary.
Where the bracket structure allows, best efforts are made to separate athletes from the same dojang in the initial rounds. This is not always possible — be prepared to face anyone in your division.
Weight divisions
Scroll the table sideways to see every division →
| Cadet Born 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Junior Born 2009, 2010, 2011 |
Senior Born before 2009 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female |
| -33kg & -37kg | -29kg & -33kg | -45kg & -48kg | -42kg & -44kg | -54kg & -58kg | -46kg & -49kg |
| -41kg & -45kg | -37kg & -41kg | -51kg & -55kg | -46kg & -49kg | -63kg & -68kg | -53kg & -57kg |
| -49kg & -53kg | -44kg & -47kg | -59kg & -63kg | -52kg & -55kg | -74kg & -80kg | -62kg & -67kg |
| -57kg & -61kg | -51kg & -55kg | -68kg & -73kg | -59kg & -63kg | -87kg & +87kg | -73kg & +73kg |
| -65kg & +65kg | -59kg & +59kg | -78kg & +78kg | -68kg & +68kg | ||
Article 6 1.1 of the WT rules — adjacent weight classes can be combined.
Weigh-in
7:45 – 9:45 am
- All high performance kyorugi athletes must weigh in on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre.
- An allowance of 5% is permitted due to same-day weigh-in.
- Failure to make weight in the registered division results in disqualification.
- The package gives the window as 7:45–9:45 am on the schedule and 7:45–9:00 am in the weigh-in section — confirm the closing time on the day.
Weight changes
Nov 8, 2026
- Weight changes are accepted until November 8, 2026, 11:59 pm (GMT−6).
- Changes must be made by emailing redphoenixtkdgroup@gmail.com.
- No weight changes are accepted onsite.
Uniform & equipment
World Taekwondo recognised equipment only.
- WT V-neck white uniform
- Groin protector
- Forearm guards
- Shin guards
- K2 KPNP sensing socks
- K2 KPNP sensing gloves
- Mouth guard (white or clear)
What is provided
The K2 KPNP Protector and Scoring System — headgear and chest protector — is provided. The head protector for cadet athletes can be fitted with a face shield.
All high performance kyorugi competitors must have K2 KPNP socks and gloves, available from Captain Sports.
All belt levels
Recreation kyorugi
The latest published World Taekwondo Kyorugi Competition Rules & Interpretation apply, with head contact removed for all recreation divisions.
Competition system
- Best of 3 system
- Single elimination tournament system
- High performance black belts use the K2 KPNP system
Round duration
- Colour belt
- 1 minute rounds
30 second break between rounds - Black belt
- 1:30 minute round
45 second break between rounds
Weigh-in
Not required
No weigh-in is required for recreational athletes.
Age & belt divisions
Scroll the table sideways →
| Age division | Male / female | Belt divisions |
|---|---|---|
| Youth 3 | Separate | White – Yellow Stripe Yellow – Green Stripe Green – Blue Stripe Blue – Red Stripe Red – Black Stripe Black Belt |
| Youth 2 | Separate | |
| Youth 1 | Separate | |
| Cadet | Separate | |
| Junior | Separate | |
| Senior | Separate | |
| Ultra | Separate |
Youth 3 born 2019 and later · Youth 2 born 2019, 2018, 2017 · Youth 1 born 2015, 2016, 2017 · Cadet born 2012, 2013, 2014 · Junior born 2009, 2010, 2011 · Senior born 2009–1993 · Ultra born before 1994.
Adjacent weight classes can be combined. Some belt or age divisions may be combined so that participants have at least one match, in consultation with coaches and tournament coordinators.
Uniform & equipment
World Taekwondo recognised equipment only.
- WT V-neck white uniform
- Head protector (white, or red & blue)
- Chest protector
- Groin protector
- Forearm guards
- Shin guards
- Instep guards
- Mouth guard (white or clear)
Gear inspection
Referees inspect participant gear at the rings before each match.
Competitors with braces
Competitors wearing braces must produce a letter from their dentist certifying the mouth guards being worn are safe for taekwondo competition. There should be top and bottom mouth guards if there are braces on top and bottom teeth.
Forms
Poomsae
The latest published World Taekwondo Poomsae Competition Rules & Interpretation apply to both streams.
Sport poomsae — black belt
- Athletes may register in a maximum of three (3) poomsae events.
- Designated compulsory poomsae for all divisions except Youth, as outlined in the WT rules. Youth divisions: T4 to Koryo.
- Freestyle music must be provided on a USB at the referee/coaches meeting.
- Music must not contain lyrics, or any political, social or religious content that may harm, discriminate or offend others.
- WT sport poomsae uniforms are recommended but not mandatory.
Recreation poomsae — all belts
- Athletes may only register in one poomsae event.
- The competitor performs one poomsae according to their belt level.
- Uniform: white taekwondo dobok, appropriate belt, bare feet.
- WT sport poomsae uniforms are recommended but not mandatory.
- Recreational poomsae divisions are posted the night before the competition. Sport poomsae divisions are posted at the venue.
Sport poomsae divisions — recognised
Scroll the table sideways →
| Individual Male & female |
Pairs 1 female & 1 male |
Teams 3 athletes of same gender |
|---|---|---|
| Youth | Youth | Youth Team |
| Cadet | Cadet | Cadet Team |
| Junior | Junior | Junior Team |
| U30 | U30 | U30 Team |
| U40 | U50 | U50 Team |
| U50 | U60 | U60 Team |
| U60 | O60 | O60 Team |
| U65 | ||
| O65 |
Sport poomsae divisions — freestyle
| Male individual | Female individual | Pairs 1 female & 1 male |
Teams 3 athletes of same sex |
|---|---|---|---|
| U17 | U17 | U17 | U17 |
| O17 | O17 | O17 | O17 |
Recreation poomsae divisions
| Age divisions | Belt divisions |
|---|---|
| Youth 3 (born 2020 or 2021) | White · Yellow Stripe · Yellow · Green Stripe · Green · Blue Stripe · Blue · Red Stripe · Red · Black Stripe · Black |
| Youth 2 (born 2019, 2018 or 2017) | |
| Youth 1 (born 2015 or 2016) | |
| Cadet (born 2012, 2013, 2014) | |
| Junior (born 2009, 2010 or 2011) | |
| Senior (born 2009–1993) | |
| Ultra (born before 1994) |
Medals
Awards
Kyorugi
Medals are awarded to the top 4 athletes in each division.
- 1st place
- Gold medal
- 2nd place
- Silver medal
- 3rd place
- Bronze medal
- 3rd place
- Bronze medal
Poomsae
Medals are awarded to the top 4 athletes in each division.
- 1st place
- Gold medal
- 2nd place
- Silver medal
- 3rd place
- Bronze medal
- 3rd place
- Bronze medal
On the floor
Coaches dress code
- Athletic attire, team tracksuit, or business attire.
- Closed footwear only — no heels or sandals.
- No chewing gum, and no use of electronic devices such as cell phones or video cameras.
- Coaches perceived to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed in the competition area.
- Any type of cap or hat is not allowed.
Carts, wagons and portable chairs are not permitted. This rule is in place to keep walkways clear and free from trip hazards. If any issues arise, direct your concerns to the Tournament Advisory Committee. See the code of conduct →