Para taekwondo made its Paralympic debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021, becoming the second contact sport on the Paralympic programme 33 years after judo was added. Kyorugi is a Paralympic taekwondo discipline for athletes with upper limb impairments, split into two sports classes. Athletes are divided into weight categories.
Para taekwondo is a relatively new sport that was conceived in 2005 and has been growing ever since. The first world championships were held in 2009 and the sport was later added to the Paralympic programme in 2017.
Brief overview of the rules
In Para taekwondo, matches are held in a one round contest, lasting up to five minutes. Athletes wear protective equipment and 'sensor socks', which determines if a point is scored when hitting their opponent's torso.
Points are awarded by hitting their opponent’s torso. Athletes get two points for a regular kick, three points for a turning kick and four points for a spinning kick.
Head kicks are not allowed and result in a gam-jeom, a penalty that gives a point for the opponent. Other fouls include grabbing, pushing, kicks below the belt or stepping out of bound.
Athletes can win a fight in several ways: having a 30-point lead. Their opponent getting 10 gam-jeom. Or having the most points at the end of time.
If there is a tie, athletes enter the Golden Round, with the first fighter to score two points winning. If there is still a tie, then judges will decide the winner.
At Paris 2024, Para taekwondo will feature the K44 sport class, with athletes with impairments in either one or both upper limbs. Athletes compete against other fighters in the same sport class and weight category.
There are five weight categories for men and five for women.
