W.T.F. COMPETITION RULES


Table of Contents

Article 1. Purpose

The purpose of the Competition Rules is to manage fairly and smoothly all matters pertaining to competitions of all levels to be promoted and/ or organized by the WTF, Regional Unions and member National Associations, ensuring the application of standardized rules.

Article 2. Application

The Competition Rules shall apply to all the competitions to be promoted and/or organized by the WTF, each Regional Union and member National Association. However, any member National Association wishing to modify some part of the Competition Rules must first gain the approval of the WTF.

Article 3. Competition Area

The Competition Area shall measure 12m x 12m in metric system and have a flat surface without any obstructing projections.

The Competition Area shall be covered with an elastic mat. However, the Competition Area may be installed on a platform 0.5m - 0.6m high from the base, if necessary, and the outer part of the Boundary Line shall be inclined with a gradient of less than 30' degrees for the safety of the contestants.

  1. Demarcation of the Competition Area

    1. The 8m x 8m area in the inner part of the Competition Area of 12m x 12m shall be called the Contest Area and the outer part of the Contest Area shall be called the Alert Area.

    2. The demarcation of the Contest Area and the Alert Area shall be distinguished by the different colors of the two area's surface, or indicated by a white line 5cm wide when the entire surface is one color.

    3. The demarcating line between the Contest Area and the Alert Area shall be called the Alert Line and the marginal line of the Competition Area shall be called the Boundary Line.

  2. Indication of Positions

    1. Position of the Referee

      The position of the Referee shall be marked at a point 1.5m back from the center point of the Competition Area to the 3rd Boundary Line and designated as the Referee's Mark.

    2. Position of the Judges

      The position of the 1st Judge shall be marked at a point 0.5m outwards from the of the 1st Boundary Line facing towards the center point of the Competition Area and the position of the 2nd Judge shall be marked 0.5m outwards from the bottom corner of the 2nd Boundary Line facing the center of the Competition Area. The position of the 3rd Judge shall be marked at the opposite point of the 4th Boundary Line with the position of the 2nd Judge.

    3. Position of the Recorder

      The position of the Recorder shall be marked at a point 1.5m back from the position of the 1st Judge and 3m to the left.

    4. Position of the Commission Doctor

      The position of the Commission Doctor shall be marked at a point 6m to the right side of the position of the Recorder.

    5. Position of the Contestants

      The position of the Contestants shall be marked at a point 1m to the respective left and right sides from the center point of the Competition Area facing towards the position of the 1st Judge. The right side shall be the Blue Contestant's Mark and the left side shall be the Red Contestant's Mark.

    6. Position of the Coaches

      The position of the Coaches shall be marked at a point 1m away from the center point of the Boundary Line of each contestant's side.

    7. Position of the Inspection Desk

      The position of the Inspection Desk shall be near the entrance of the Competition Area for inspection of the contestant's protective equipment.

I. Competition Area 1. Referee's Mark
II. Alert Area 2. Judge's Mark
III. Contest Area 3. Recorder's Mark
IV. Alert Line 4. Commission Doctor's Mark
V. Boundary Line 5-1. Blue Contestant's Mark
V-I. 1st Boundary Line 5-2. Red Contestant's Mark
    6-1. Blue Coach's Mark
    6-2. Red Coach's Mark
    7. Inspection Desk

* 2nd, 3rd & 4th Boundary Line clockwise

Article 4. Contestants

  1. Qualification of Contestants

    1. Holder of the nationality of the participating team

    2. One recommended by the national Taekwondo Association

    3. Holder of Taekwondo Dan certificate issued by the Kukkiwon/WTF, and in case of World Junior Taekwondo Championships, holder of Kukkiwon Poom/Dan aged 14 through 17 years old based on the year when the Championships are held.

  2. The Costume for Contestants

    1. The contestant shall wear a Taekwondo uniform (Dobok) and protectors recognized by the WTF.

    2. The contestant shall wear the trunk protector, head protector, groin guard, forearm and shin guards before entering the contest area and the groin guard, forearm and shin guards shall be worn inside the Taekwondo uniform, and the contestant shall bring the WTF-approved protectors for personal use.

  3. Medical Control

    1. The use or administration of drugs or chemical substances described in the IOC doping by-laws is prohibited.

    2. The WTF may carry out any medical testing deemed necessary to ascertain if a contestant has committed a breach of this rule, and any winner who refuses to this testing or who proves to have committed such a breach shall be removed from the final standings, and the record shall be transferred to the contestant next in line in the competition standings.

    3. The organizing committee shall be liable for arrangements to carry out medical testing.

Article 5. Weight Divisions

  1. Weights are divided into male and female divisions.

  2. Weight divisions are divided as follows:

    Weight category Male division Female division
    Fin Not exceeding 54kg Not exceeding 47kg
    Fly Over 54kg & not exceeding 58kg Over 47kg & not exceeding 51kg
    Bantam Over 58kg & not exceeding 62kg Over 51kg & not exceeding 55kg
    Feather Over 62kg & not exceeding 67kg Over 55kg & not exceeding 59kg
    Light Over 67kg & not exceeding 72kg Over 59kg & not exceeding 63kg
    Welter Over 72kg & not exceeding 78kg Over 63kg & not exceeding 67kg
    Middle Over 78kg & not exceeding 84kg Over 67kg & not exceeding 72kg
    Heavy Over 84kg Over 72kg

  3. Weight divisions for the Olympic Games are divided as follows:

    Male division Female division
    Not exceeding 58kg Not exceeding 49kg
    Over 58kg & not exceeding 68kg Over 49kg & not exceeding 57kg
    Over 68kg & not exceeding 80kg Over 57kg & not exceeding 67kg
    Over 80kg Over 67kg

  4. Weight divisions for the World Junior Championships are divided as follows:

Weight category Male division Female division
Fin Not exceeding 45kg Not exceeding 42kg
Fly Over 45kg & not exceeding 48kg Over 42kg & not exceeding 44kg
Bantam Over 48kg & not exceeding 51kg Over 44kg & not exceeding 46kg
Feather Over 51kg & not exceeding 55kg Over 46kg & not exceeding 49kg
Light Over 55kg & not exceeding 59kg Over 49kg & not exceeding 52kg
Welter Over 59kg & not exceeding 63kg Over 52kg & not exceeding 55kg
Light Middle Over 63kg & not exceeding 68kg Over 55kg & not exceeding 59kg
Middle Over 68kg & not exceeding 73kg Over 59kg & not exceeding 63kg
Light Heavy Over 73kg & not exceeding 78kg Over 63kg & not exceeding 68kg
Heavy Over 78kg Over 68kg

Article 6. Classification and Methods of Competition

  1. Competitions are divided as follows:

    1. Individual competition shall normally be between contestants in the same weight class. When necessary, adjoining weight classes may be combined to create a single classification.

    2. Team Competition : Systems of Competition

      1. Five (5) contestants by weight classification with the following category

        Male division Female division
        Not exceeding 54kg Not exceeding 47kg
        Over 54kg & not exceeding 63kg Over 47kg & not exceeding 54kg
        Over 63kg & not exceeding 72kg Over 54kg & not exceeding 61kg
        Over 72kg & not exceeding 82kg Over 61kg & not exceeding 68kg
        Over 82kg Over 68kg

      2. Eight (8) contestants by weight classification

      3. Four (4) contestants by weight classification
        (Consolidation of the eight weight classifications into four weight categories by combining two adjoining weight classes)

  2. Systems of competition are divided as follows:

    1. Single elimination tournament system

    2. Round robin system

  3. Taekwondo competition of the Olympic Games shall be conducted in individual system between contestants.

  4. All international-level competitions recognized by the WTF shall be formed with participation of at least 4 countries with no less than 4 contestants in each weight class, and any weight class with less than 4 contestants cannot be recognized in the official results.

Article 7. Duration of Contest

The duration of the contest shall be three rounds of three minutes with one minute of rest between rounds in male and female divisions with that of World Junior Championships being three rounds of two minutes with one minute of rest between rounds. However, the duration of the contest my be shortened to three rounds of two minutes with one minute of rest between rounds with the approval of the WTF.

Article 8. Drawing Lots

  1. The drawing of lots shall be conducted one day prior to the first competition in the presence of the WTF officials and the representatives of the participating nations, and the drawing lots shall be done from Fin weight up in the English alphabetical order of the official names of the participating nations.

  2. Officials shall be designated to draw lots on behalf of the officials of participating nations not present at the drawing.

  3. The order of the draw may be changed according to the decision of the Head of Team meeting.

Article 9. Weigh-in

  1. Weigh-in of the contestants on the day of competition shall be completed one hour prior to the competition.

  2. During weigh-in, the male contestant shall wear underpants and the female contestant shall wear underpants and brassiere. However, weigh-in may be conducted in the nude in the that the contestant wishes to do so.

  3. Weigh-in shall be made once, however, one more weigh-in is granted within the time limit for official weigh-in to the contestant who did not qualify the first time.

  4. So as not to be disqualified during official weigh-in a scale, the same as the official one, shall be provided at the contestants' place of accommodation or at the arena for preweigh-in.

Article 10. Procedure of the Contest

  1. Call for Contestants

    The name of the contestants shall be announced three times beginning three minutes prior to the scheduled start of the contest. The contestant who fails to appear in the contest area within one minute after the scheduled start of the competition shall be regarded withdrawn.

  2. Physical and Costume Inspection

    After being called, the contestants shall undergo physical and costume inspection at the designated inspection desk by the inspector designated by the WTF, and the contestant shall not show any signs of aversion, and also shall not bear any materials which could cause harm to the other contestant.

  3. Entering the Competition Area

    After inspection, the contestant shall enter into the waiting position with one coach.

  4. Start and End of the Contest

    The contest in each round shall begin with the declaration of "Shijak" (start) by the referee and shall end with the declaration of "Keuman" (stop) by the referee.

  5. Procedure Before the Beginning and After the End of the Contest

    1. The contestants shall face each other and make a standing bow at the referee's command of "Charyeot" (attention) and " Kyeongrye" (bow) . A standing bow shall be made from the natural standing posture of " Charyeot" by inclining forward at the waist to an angle of more than 30' degrees with the head inclined to an angle more than 45' degrees and the fists clenched at the sides of the legs.

    2. The referee shall start the contest by commanding "Joon-bi" (ready) and "Shi-jak" (start).

    3. After the end of the last round, the contestants shall stand at their respective positions facing each other and exchange a standing bow at the referee's command of "Charyeot", "Kyeongrye", and then wait for the referee's declaration of the decision in a standing posture.

    4. The referee shall declare the winner by raising his/her own hand to the winner's side.

    5. Retirement of the contestants.

  6. Contest Procedure in Team Competition

    1. Both teams shall stand facing each other in line in submitted team order towards the 1st Boundary Line from the Contestants' Marks.

    2. Procedure before the beginning and after the end of the contest shall be conducted as in item 5 of this Article.

    3. Both teams shall leave the Contest Area and stand by at the designated area for each contestant's match.

    4. Both teams shall line up in the Contest Area immediately after the end of the final match facing each other.

    5. The referee shall declare the winning team by raising his/her own hand to the winning team's side.

Article 11. Permitted Techniques and Areas

  1. Permitted Techniques

    1. Fist techniques: Delivering techniques by using the front parts of the forefinger and middle finger of the tightly clenched fist.

    2. Foot techniques: Delivering techniques by using the parts of the foot below the ankle bone.

  2. Permitted Areas

    1. Trunk: Within the limits of the area from a horizontal line at the base of the acromion down to a horizontal line at the iliac crest, attack by fist and foot techniques are permitted. However, such attacks shall not be made on the part of the back not covered by the trunk protector.

    2. Face: This area is the front part of the face on the basis of a coronal line at both ears, and attack by foot techniques only is permitted.

      Article 12. Valid Points

      1. Legal Scoring Areas

        1. Mid-section of the trunk: the abdomen and both sides of the flank.

        2. Face: the permitted parts of the face.

      2. Points shall be awarded when permitted techniques are delivered accurately and powerfully to the legal scoring areas of the body. However, when a contestant is knocked down as a result of the opponent’s attack on a part of the trunk protector which is not part of a legal scoring area, such a technique shall be regarded as a point.

      3. Each scoring techniques shall earn 1 (plus one) point.

      4. Match score shall be the sum of points of the three rounds.

      5. Invalidation of points: When the following are committed, the delivered technique will not be scored.

        1. Intentionally falling, immediately after delivery of the legitimate technique.

        2. Committing an illegal act after delivery of the legitimate technique.

        3. Use of any of the prohibited actions.

      Article 13. Scoring and Publication

      1. Valid points shall be immediately recorded and publicized.

      2. In the use of body protectors not equipped with electronics, valid points shall be immediately marked by each judge by using the electronic scoring instrument or judge's scoring sheet.

      3. In the use of electronic trunk protectors

        1. Valid points scored on the mid-section of the trunk shall be recorded automatically by the transmitter in the electronic trunk protector.

        2. Valid points scored to the face shall be marked by each judge by using the electronic scoring instrument or judge’s scoring sheet.

      4. In case of scoring by using the electronic scoring instrument or judge’s scoring sheet, valid points shall be the ones recognized by two or more judges.

      Article 14. Prohibited Acts

      1. Penalties on any prohibited acts shall be declare by the referee.

      2. In the case of multiple penalties being committed simultaneously, the heavier penalty shall be declared.

      3. Penalties are divided into "Kyong-go" (warning penalty) and "Gam-jeom" (deduction penalty).

      4. Two "Kyong-gos" shall be counted as deduction of one (1) point. However, the odd "Kyong-go" shall not be counted in the grand total.

      5. A "Gam-jeom" shall be counted as minus-one (-1) point.

      6. Prohibited acts:" Kyong-go" penalty

        1. Touching acts
          1. Grabbing the opponent
          2. Holding the opponent
          3. Pushing the opponent
          4. Touching the opponent with the trunk

        2. Negative acts
          1. Intentionally crossing the Alert Line
          2. Evading by turning the back to the opponent
          3. Intentionally falling down
          4. Pretending injury

        3. Attacking acts
          1. Butting or attacking with the knee
          2. Intentionally attacking the groin
          3. Intentionally stamping or kicking any part of the leg or foot
          4. Hitting the opponent’s face with hands or fist

        4. Undesirable acts
          1. Gesturing to indicate scoring or deduction on the part of the contestant or the coach
          2. Uttering undesirable remarks or any misconduct on the part of the contestant or the coach
          3. Leaving the designated mark on the part of the coach during match

      7. Prohibited acts: Game-jeom penalty

        1. Touching acts
          1. Throwing the opponent
          2. Intentionally throwing down the opponent by grappling the opponent’s attacking foot in the air with the arm

        2. Negative acts
          1. Crossing the Boundary Line
          2. Intentionally interfering with the progress of the match

        3. Attacking acts
          1. Attacking the fallen opponent
          2. Intentionally attacking the back and the back of the head
          3. Attacking the opponent’s face severely with hands

        4. Undesirable acts
          Violent or extreme remarks or behaviors on the part of the contestant or the coach

      8. When a contestant refuses to comply with the Competition Rules or the referee’s order intentionally, the referee may declare the contestant loser by penalty.

      9. When the contestant receives minus three (-3) points, the referee shall declare him/her loser by penalties.

      10. "Kyong-go" and " Gam-jeom" shall be counted in the total score of the three rounds.

      Article 15. Decision of Superiority

      1. In the case of a tie score by deduction of points, the winner shall be the contestant awarded any point or more points through the three rounds.

      2. In the case of a tie score other than case 1. above, (where both contestants received the same number of points and/or deductions) the winner shall be decided by the referee based on superiority throughout all three rounds.

      3. Decision of superiority shall be based on the initiative shown during the contest.

      Article 16. Decisions

      1. Win by K.O.

      2. Win by Referee Stop Contest (RSC)

      3. Win by score or superiority

      4. Win by withdrawal

      5. Win by disqualification

      6. Win by referee’s punitive declaration

      Article 17. Knock Down

      1. When any part of the body other than the sole of the foot touches the floor due to the force of the opponent’s delivered technique.

      2. When a contestant is staggered showing no intention or ability to pursue the match.

      3. When the referee judges that the contest cannot continue as the result of any power technique having been delivered.

      Article 18. Procedure in the Event of a Knock Down

      1. When a contestant is knocked down as the result of the opponent's legitimate attack, the referee shall take the following measures:

        1. The referee shall keep the attacker away from downed contestant by declaration of "Kalyeo" (break).

        2. The referee shall count aloud from "Hanah" (one) up to "Yeol" (ten) at one second interval towards the downed contestant, making hand signals indicating the passage of time.

        3. In case the downed contestant stands up during the referee’s count and desires to continue the fight, the referee shall continue the count up to " Yeodul" (eight) for recovery of the downed contestant. The referee shall then determine if the contestant is recovered and, if so, continue the contest by declaration of "Kyesok" (continue).

        4. When a contestant who has been knocked down cannot demonstrate the will to resume the contest by the count of " Yeodul" , the referee shall announce the other contestant winner by K.O.

        5. The count shall be continued even after the end of the round or the expiration of the match time.

        6. In case both of the contestants are knocked down, the referee shall continue counting as long as one of the contestants has not sufficiently recovered.

        7. When both of the contestants fail to recover by the count of "Yeol", the winner shall be decided upon the match score before the occurrence of knock down.

        8. When it is judged by the referee that a contestant is unable to continue, the referee may decide the winner either without counting or during the counting.

      2. Procedures to be followed after the contest

        Any contestant suffering a knock-out as the result of a blow to the head, will not be allowed to compete for the next 30 days.

        Before entering a new contest after 30 days, the contestant must be examined by a medical doctor designated by the National Taekwondo Association, who must certify that the contestant is recovered and able to compete.

        Article 19. Procedures for Suspending the Match

        When a contestant is to be stopped due to the injury of one or both of contestants, the referee shall take the following measures:

        1. The referee shall suspend the contest by declaration of "Kalyeo" and order the Recorder to suspend the time keeping by announcing "Kyeshi" (suspend).
        2. The referee shall allow the contestant to receive first aid within one minute.
        3. The contestant who does not demonstrate the will to continue the contest after one minute, even in the case of a slight injury, shall be declared loser by the referee.
        4. In case resumption of the contest is impossible after one minute the contestant causing the injury by a prohibited act to be penalized by "Gam-jeom" shall be declared loser.
        5. In case both of the contestants are knocked down and are unable to continue the contest after one minute, the winner shall be decided upon points scored before the injuries occurred.
        6. When it is judged that a contestant’s health is at risk due to losing consciousness of falling in an apparently dangerous condition, the referee shall suspend the contest immediately and order first aid to be administered. The referee shall declare as loser, the contestant causing the injury if it is deemed to have resulted from a prohibited attack to be penalized by "Gam-jeom", or in the case the attack was not deemed to be penalized by Gam-jeom, shall decide the winner on the basis of the score of the match before suspension of the time.

        Article 20. Referees and Judges

        1. Qualifications

          Holders of International Referee Certificate registered by the WTF.

        2. Duties
          1. Referee
            1. The referee shall have control over the match.
            2. The referee shall declare "Shijak", "Keuman", "Kalyeo", "Kyesok" and "Kyeshi", winner and loser, deduction of points, warnings and retiring. All the referee' declarations shall be made when the results are confirmed.
            3. The referee shall have the right to make decisions independently in accordance with the prescribed rules.
            4. The referee shall not award points.
            5. In case of a tie or scoreless match, the decision of superiority shall be made by the referee after the end of three rounds.
          2. Judges
            1. The judges shall mark the valid points immediately.
            2. The judges shall state their opinions forthrightly when requested by the referee.
        3. Responsibility for Judgement

          Decisions made by the referees and judges shall be conclusive and they shall be responsible to the Board of Arbitration for those decisions.

        4. Uniform of the Referees and Judges
          1. The referees and judges shall wear the uniform designated by the WTF.
          2. The referees and judges shall not carry or take any materials to the Arena which might interfere with the contest.

        Article 21. Recorder

        The recorder shall time the contest and periods of time-out, suspension, and also shall record and publicize the awarded points, and /or deduction of points.

        Article 22. Assignment of Officials

        1. Composition of Refereeing Officials
          1. In the use of non-electronic trunk protector:

            The officials are composed of one referee and three judges.
          2. In the use of electronic trunk protector:

            The officials are composed of one referee and two judges.

        2. Assignment of Refereeing Officials
          1. The assignment of the referees and judges shall be made after the contest schedule is fixed.
          2. Referees and judges with the same nationality as that of either contestant shall not be assigned to such a contest. However, an exception shall be made for the judges when the number of refereeing officials is insufficient as the case may be.

        Article 23. Other matters not specified in the Rules

        In the case that any matters not specified in the Rules occur, they shall be dealt with as follows:

        1. Matters related to the competition shall be decided through consensus by the refereeing officials of the pertinent contest.
        2. Matters which are not related to a specific contest, shall be decided by the Executive Council or its proxy.
        3. The organizing committee shall prepare for a video tape recorder at each court for recording and preservation of the match process.

        Article 24. Arbitration

        1. Composition of the Board of Arbitration
          1. Qualifications: Member of Executive Council of the WTF or person of sufficient Taekwondo experience recommended by the WTF President or Secretary General.
          2. Composition: One chairman and less than six members
          3. Procedure of appointment: The chairman and members of the Board of Arbitration will be appointed by the WTF President on the recommendation of the WTF Secretary General.
        2. Responsibility: The Board of Arbitration shall make corrections of misjudgments according to their decision regarding protests and take disciplinary action against the officials committing the misjudgment or any illegal behavior and the results of which shall be sent to the Secretariat of the WTF.
        3. Procedure of Protest
          1. In case there is an objection to a judgement, a delegate must submit an application for re-evaluation of decision (protest application) together with the prescribed fee to the Board of Arbitration within 10 minutes after the pertinent contest.
          2. Deliberation of re-evaluation shall be carried out excluding those members with the same nationality as that of either contestant concerned, and resolution on deliberation shall be made by majority.
          3. The members of the Board of Arbitration may summon the refereeing officials for confirmation of events.
          4. The resolution made by the Board of Arbitration will be final and no further means of appeal will be applied.

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