World Taekwondo confirmed the official schedule for the 2026 International Referee
Seminars World Taekwondo (WT) has officially confirmed the schedule for the 2026 International Referee Refresher Courses and seminars, establishing new educational requirements following the rule changes approved at the General Assembly held in Wuxi in 2025.
Seminars World Taekwondo (WT) has officially confirmed the schedule for the 2026 International Referee Refresher Courses and seminars, establishing new educational requirements following the rule changes approved at the General Assembly held in Wuxi in 2025.
The communication, sent to all National Federations (MNAs) and Continental Unions (CUs), marked a turning point in the WT’s referee education system. Starting in 2026, the education of international referees was formally separated into two independent tracks: New IR Seminars, intended for new applicants, and IR Refresher Courses, exclusively for active international referees.
Mandatory refresher course following rule changes
As reported by the WT, all existing international referees must complete a Refresher Course in order to keep their official certification for future WT calendar events.
This requirement was a direct response to the rule changes approved by the General Assembly, making these courses a must to make sure the new rules are applied correctly worldwide.
Temporary exception for Standing Camp referees
The WT clarified that referees who have recently completed the International Referee Selection & Training Camp will have a six-month grace period. However, the organization recommended their active participation in the refresher courses in order to ensure a consistent interpretation of the rule changes.
WT Releases Final Details for Standing IR Selection Camps Toward LA28
Official calendar of IR Refresher Courses 2026
The confirmed schedule covered three strategic locations and included both Kyorugi and Poomsae, with courses lasting four days each.
Moscow, Russia
62nd IR Refresher Course (Poomsae)
January 13-16, 2026
👉 OUTLINE 62nd POOMSAE IR REFRESHER | MOSCOW
155th IR Refresher Course (Kyorugi)
January 17-20, 2026
👉 OUTLINE 155th KYORUGI IR REFRESHER | MOSCOW
Vienna, Austria
156th IR Refresher Course (Kyorugi)
February 1-4, 2026
👉 OUTLINE 156th KYORUGI IR REFRESHER | VIENNA
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
63rd IR Refresher Course (Poomsae)
February 20-23, 2026
👉 OUTLINE 63rd POOMSAE IR REFRESHER | HO CHI MINH CITY
157th IR Refresher Course (Kyorugi)
February 26-March 1, 2026
👉 OUTLINE 157th KYORUGI IR REFRESHER | HO CHI MINH CITY
A clear message to MNAs and Continental Unions
Given that the courses will take place between January and February, World Taekwondo requested the prompt cooperation of MNAs and CUs, emphasizing the importance of active participation to ensure the correct implementation of the new rules in all official competitions.
The official communication was signed by Seungmin Lee and Monika Lee, representing World Taekwondo’s Development and Education Department, reinforcing the institutional and mandatory nature of this training process.
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