Para taekwondo is a contact sport featuring rapid and powerful kicks to the body. Matches are held in a best of three round format. Athletes wear protective equipment and sensor socks, which determine if a point is scored when hitting the opponent's torso.

 

Two points are awarded for a regular kick, three points for a turning kick and three points for a spinning kick. Head kicks are not allowed and result in a gam-jeom, a penalty that gives a point to the opponent. Other fouls include grabbing, pushing, kicks below the belt or stepping out of bounds.

 

Athletes can win a round in several ways: with a 12-point lead, the opponent getting 5 gam-jeoms or having the most points at the end of time.

 

If there is a tie in a round, the winner will be decided by (1) number of scoring turning or spinning techniques, (2) higher number of registered hits. (3) If there is still a tie, then judges decide the winner. Competition takes place against fighters in the same sport class and weight category. There are five weight categories for men and five for women.

 

World Taekwondo (WT) is the sport’s governing body. Hong Kong, China Taekwondo Association Limited is the member of World Taekwondo and the organization of elite development of Para Tawkwondo in Hong Kong, China.

 

Source of information credit: International Paralympic Committee
Source of photo credit: China Hong Kong PHAB Martial Art Association