Expected to attract a record 130 athletes, including 14 poomsae contestants, from 38 countries, the biggest-ever World Para-Taekwondo Championships are set to take place tomorrow, while the WTF Grand Prix Series 2 is scheduled to be held from Friday (September 18) to Sunday (September 20).

The one-day World Para-Taekwondo Championships, which have been assigned the highest possible ranking under the WTF’s system - G-8, are the first WTF-promoted Para-taekwondo event since the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted in January to include taekwondo on the official programme of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The IPC granted the WTF temporary-member status in June this year and is expected to give it full-member status in November at its General Assembly.

The World Para-Taekwondo Championships will feature events in both kyorugi, the discipline which has been included in the Tokyo 2020 sports programme, and poomsae.

Kyorugi (K40) competitions, for athletes with a physical impairment, are recognised by the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation (IWAS) and will comprise three male weight categories - under 61 kilograms, under 75kg and over 75kg - and three female weight categories - under 49kg, under 58kg and over 58kg.

Poomsae (P20) competitions, for athletes with an intellectual disability, are recognised by the International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS) with this year marking the second time that they will be held at the Championships.

Making their first appearance at the Championships are Poomsae (P30) competitions, for athletes with a neurological impairment, which are recognised by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA).

"We are delighted that we have broken previous records for participation here at the sixth WTF World Para-Taekwondo Championships and it is a testament to the ever-growing popularity of our sport around the world," said WTF President Chungwon Choue on the eve of the Championships. 

"Speaking to athletes, you can really feel their passion and their pride at being able to represent their countries at such a world-class event.

"Our friends here in Samsun have done an excellent job at preparing for these Championships and everything is in place for an excellent event.

"It is during events like this that you can really see that the work we are doing is paying off.

"We know that there is a lot of room for improvement but each year we are seeing records being broken and more athletes from new countries getting involved in the sport.

"We must continue to build momentum and provide the best experience for our athletes and fans so that in 2020 we are able to deliver the best possible sport for the global Paralympic audience."

A Daedo protector and scoring system (PSS) and an instant video replay system will be used for the event, along with three octagon-shaped courts. 

Modified competition rules will apply to the Championships with attacks to the head banned, and punches allowed, but no points awarded.

A valid kick to the body will earn an athlete one point and a valid turning kick to the body three points.

Meanwhile, the three-day WTF Grand Prix Series 2 is expected to draw 234 athletes from 50 countries, with 50 international referees officiating at the event.

As with the Para-Taekwondo Championships, Daedo PSS and an instant video replay system will be used, along with three octagon-shaped courts.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top four athletes in each of the four male and four female Olympic weight categories; $5,000 (£3,200/€4,500) for the gold medallist, $3,000 (£1,900/€2,700) for the silver medallist, and $1,000 (£600/€900) each for the two bronze medal winners.

The maximum number of athletes per Olympic weight category is 32 with a country able to field up to two athletes in each. 

The top 31 athletes per weight division, based on August 2015’s WTF Olympic world rankings, are invited, in addition to one athlete from host nation Turkey.



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