Poomsae

The Competition Rules shall apply to all Poomsae competitions promoted and / or organized by the WT, each Continental Union and each member National Association. However, any member National Association wishing to modify some part of the Competition Rules must first gain the approval of the WT. However, the Beach Poomsae Championships and WT World Open Poomsae Championships may be organized and operated under separate operational guidelines respectively.

(Explanation #1)

Amendment approval:

Any organization desiring to make a change in some portion of the existing rules must submit to the WT the contents of the desired amendment along with the reasons for the desired change. Approval for any change in these rules must be received from WT one month prior to the scheduled competition.

• For the organization of WT-promoted Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, a venue shall require the ability to accommodate a minimum seating capacity of 2,000. The size of the floor shall be at least 30m x 50m based on the use of three (3) courts in which optimum audio-visual information, as mandated in the Technical Manual, to spectators and competitors shall be provided. The height of the venue shall be at least 10m from the floor to the ceiling. The lighting shall be a minimum of 1500 lux to a maximum of 1800 lux, and shall be directed onto the competition area from the top of the competition venue. All arrangement shall be completed at least two days before the start of the championships and shall be subject to approval of the Technical Delegate. The Competition Area shall comprise of the Contest Area measuring 10m×10m (12mx12m for Freestyle Team Competitions) and have a flat surface without any obstructing projections. The Contest Area shall be covered with a mat or wooden floor.

• Demarcation of the Contest Area

1. The 10m×10m (12mx12m for Freestyle Team Competition) area shall be called the Contest Area.
2. The demarcation of the Contest Area shall be distinguished by a white line with 5cm wide in case of wooden competition area.

• Indication of positions

1. Position of the Judges: Seven judges shall sit 1m away from the Contest Area and 1m in between each other, with four judges facing the contestants and three facing the back of the contestants. The boundary line adjacent to the four judges shall be deemed boundary line #1, followed by, clockwise, boundary lines #2, #3, and #4. Judges are positioned clockwise from the left of the boundary line #1. In the case of a five-judge system three judges shall be positioned facing the contestants and the other two facing the back of the contestants or, five judges shall be position facing the contestants(Optional) ; in the same order of the seven-judge system. (Remarks: Technical delegate shall adjust position and number of judges depending on environment of competition area and condition of championships, and this shall be stated at outline of championships prior to championships.)
2. The position of the Referee: The Referee shall be positioned beside Judge No. 1.
3. The positions of the contestants: Contestants shall be positioned at 2m back from the centre of the Contest Area, toward boundary line #3.
4. The Position of the recorder’s desk: It shall be positioned at 3m from the Referee on the right side.
5. The Position of the Field (Of Play) Coordinator: Competition coordinators shall be positioned outside the Contest Area, 1m away from the #2 corner and boundary lines #2.
6. The Position of standby contestants and coaches: Standby contestants and coaches shall be positioned outside the Contest Area, 3m away from the corner between boundary lines #3 and #4.
7. The Position of inspection desk: Inspection desks hall be positioned at the entrance of Contest Area outside the corner of boundary lines #3 and #4, in consideration of the facilities of the field of play.

(Explanation#1)

Elastic mat: Only WT-approved mats shall be used at WT-sanctioned Poomsae Championships.

(Explanation#2)

Colour: The colour scheme of the mat’s surface must not give off a harsh reflection, or be tiring to the contestants’ or spectators’ eyesight. The colour scheme must also be appropriately matched to the overall look of the venue.

(Explanation#3)

Inspection Desk: At the inspection desk, the inspector checks whether uniforms worn by the contestants are approved by the WT, and whether they fit the contestant properly. A contestant will be required to change the uniform if it is found to be inappropriate.

(Explanation#4)

Competition platform: The platform shall be built according to the following diagram.

Diagram 1. Field of Play

Rec : Recorder

R : Referee

J1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 : Judge

C1 : Competition Area

C2 : Contestants

C3 : Standby Spot for Contestants and Coach

C4 : Competition Coordinator

1, 2, 3, 4 : Boundary Line

1 , 2 , 3 , 4 : Corner

Diagram 2. Competition Platform

• Qualification of Contestant

1. Holder of the nationality of the participating team
2. One recommended by the WT National Taekwondo Association
3. Holder of Taekwondo Dan certificate issued by the WT or Kukkiwon
4. Holder of the WT Global Athlete Licence (GAL)
5. Cadet Division (12-14 years old)
6. Junior Division (15-17 years old)
7. Under 30 Division (18-30years old)
8. Under 40Division (31-40years old)
9. Over50Division (51years old or higher)

(Interpretation)

The age limits for the each division is based on the year, not on the date, when the Championships are held. For example, in Junior division, contestants shall be between 15and 17 years old. In this regard, if the Junior Poomsae Championships are held on 29 July 2016, contestants born between 1 January1999 and 31 December 2001are eligible to participate.

• Contestants’ Uniforms

Contestants shall wear only WT-approved Poomsae competition uniform at WT-promoted Poomsae Championships.

Cadet Division (Age 12 – 14)

a) Male: White Top (Red / Black Collar) + Blue Pants

b) Female: White Top (Red / Black Collar) + Red Pants

Junior & Senior Division (Age 15 – 50)

a) Male: White Top + Dark Blue Pants

b) Female: White Top + Light Blue Pants

Master Division (Age 51 or Older)

Male & Female: Yellow Top + Dark Blue Pants

• Medical Control

At taekwondo events promoted or sanctioned by the WTF, any use or administration of drugs or chemical substances described in the WT Anti-Doping Rules is prohibited.

The WT may carry out all medical testing deemed necessary to ascertain if a contestant has committed a breach of the WT Anti-Doping Rules, and any winner who refuses to undergo this testing or who proves to have committed such a breach shall be removed from the final standings. In this regard, the contestant next in line in the competition standings shall be declared the new winner.

The Organizing Committee shall be liable for arrangements to carry out medical testing.

All details regarding doping matters shall be handled according to the WT Anti-Doping Rules.