MASTKD ESPAÑOL

Just days before the Chuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, World Taekwondo distributed two documents that provide athletes, coaches and referees with a detailed interpretation of how performances will be evaluated at the sport’s premier global event.

The Recognized Poomsae and Freestyle Poomsae handbooks do not replace the WT Competition Rules. Both documents explicitly state that they serve as practical guides for International Referees and that the official rules will prevail in the event of any contradiction or discrepancy.

Their importance lies elsewhere: WT has translated broad regulatory concepts into specific guidelines covering accuracy, difficulty, execution order, synchronization, deductions and conditions that can leave an entire technical skill without points.

Accuracy in Recognized Poomsae

Recognized Poomsae continues to be evaluated on a ten-point scale:

• Accuracy: 4.0 points.
• Presentation: 6.0 points.

Judges begin the accuracy assessment with four points and apply deductions throughout the performance. A minor mistake results in a 0.1 deduction, while a major error carries a 0.3 deduction.

Major mistakes include performing an incorrect, omitted or additional technique; a significant loss of balance; a pause exceeding three seconds; a kihap delivered at the wrong moment; or looking in a direction that does not correspond with the movement.

The handbook also classifies using an open hand to support the pelvis in order to achieve a higher kick as a major mistake.

However, WT includes an important instruction for judges: they must be completely certain that an error occurred before applying a 0.3 deduction.

When several deficiencies occur within the same technique, deductions should not automatically accumulate. Errors committed across consecutive techniques, or different major mistakes within one action, may be assessed separately.

Power, Rhythm and Martial Intent

The six presentation points are divided into Speed and Power, Rhythm and Tempo, and Expression of Energy, with a maximum of two points available in each area.

WT expects power to be generated through the entire body, particularly the core, rather than relying exclusively on the arms or legs. A high-quality technique should begin with relaxation, accelerate and reach maximum speed and power at the point of impact.

Regular techniques require speed, clear acceleration and a precise finishing point. Slow movements carry a recommended duration of five to eight seconds. Completing them in fewer than four or more than nine seconds may negatively affect the score.

Rhythm does not mean maintaining the same speed throughout the Poomsae. The performance should convey a realistic combat situation, complete each technique and connect movements without sacrificing balance or intent.

Expression of Energy includes concentration, confidence, eyesight, kihap, attitude, breathing control and the relationship between each movement and its offensive or defensive purpose.

A technically orderly performance that lacks martial intent may therefore lose a significant portion of the six presentation points.

Freestyle: Five Skills in a Mandatory Order

Freestyle Poomsae divides its ten points between Technical Skills, worth six points, and Presentation, worth four.

The technical score includes five mandatory skills, followed by Basic Movements and Practicability:

1. Jumping Side Kick.
2. Multiple Kicks in a Jump.
3. Jumping Turning Kick.
4. Kyorugi-Style Consecutive Kicks.
5. Acrobatic Kicking Technique.
6. Basic Movements and Practicability.

The five skills must appear in this order to receive technical points. A skill performed too early may be considered only within the presentation assessment and receive zero in its technical category.

WT allows athletes to repeat a skill. When repetitions respect the required sequence, judges may select the best valid attempt.

Routine construction therefore becomes a strategic decision: changing the prescribed order can invalidate an otherwise difficult and well-executed skill.

Three Mandatory Stances

Every Freestyle routine must include three specific stances:

• Hakdari-seogi.
• Beom-seogi.
• Dwit-gubi.

Each stance must be clearly recognizable and held for at least one second. Missing any of them results in a 0.3 deduction from the technical subtotal.

In Pair and Mixed Team events, every member must perform the stances simultaneously. Failure to achieve synchronization may also lead to a deduction for each occurrence.

This requirement reinforces the connection between Freestyle and the technical foundations of Taekwondo. Acrobatic difficulty does not replace the quality of stances, blocks, strikes or the transitions between attack and defense.

A Spectacular Skill Can Still Receive Zero

One of the handbook’s most significant contributions is its detailed identification of the conditions that result in a zero technical score.

For the Jumping Side Kick, the kicking leg must achieve at least 80 percent knee extension and reach above belt level. In Pair and Mixed Team events, all members must perform the skill simultaneously.

Multiple Kicks in a Jump requires at least three valid kicks during a single jump. Each kick must reach the required height and show sufficient knee extension. Undefined executions described in the handbook as “duck feet” do not count as valid techniques.

The Jumping Turning Kick requires a minimum rotation of 540 degrees. If the supporting foot lands before the kick is completed, the entire skill receives zero, even if the athlete completes the intended body rotation.

The Kyorugi-Style Consecutive Kicks sequence must contain between seven and ten techniques. Before beginning, the athlete must perform between three and five bounces in place.

Fewer than three or more than five bounces, fewer than seven valid kicks, or turning the body more than 90 degrees during the sequence can result in a zero technical score for the entire section.

The Acrobatic Kicking Technique must conclude with a recognizable Taekwondo kick. An acrobatic movement without a kick, insufficient knee extension or a lack of technical definition may leave the skill without points.

WT Brings Traditional Kyorugi Back Into Focus

The section dedicated to consecutive kicks contains one of the most relevant concepts in the new documents.

WT requires a sequence that represents a realistic one-on-one combat situation. Judges must observe a variety of kicks, changes in target height, footwork, attacks, counterattacks, punches, kihaps and continuity.

The handbook refers to the Kyorugi style used before electronic Protector and Scoring Systems, describing it as an original and exciting model. The purpose is to prevent robotic combinations or sequences developed exclusively in a single forward direction.

The performance must communicate opposition, strategy and impact. Completing seven kicks is not enough; athletes must create a recognizable combat situation within the artistic composition.

Defined Limits on Acrobatic Content

WT intends to reward difficulty without allowing Freestyle Poomsae to lose its technical identity.

The handbook defines an acrobatic technique as any rotation in which the head drops below the waist or any action where a hand touches the floor before a tricking or spinning kick.

Each routine may include a maximum of three acrobatic sequences. Every additional sequence results in a 0.3 deduction. A 0.3 deduction also applies to any acrobatic sequence that does not include a kick.

Within the Creativity score, judges may reward rotations exceeding 900 degrees, double flips, complex transitions, originality, storytelling and the ability to engage the audience. However, this difficulty must remain integrated with recognizable Taekwondo movements.

Elements from other disciplines may be included, but they must maintain a logical connection with traditional techniques. When they appear in isolation or without a martial purpose, they can reduce the scores for Basic Movements and Practicability or Harmony.

Board Breaking in Freestyle Mixed Team

A Freestyle Mixed Team consists of five performing athletes and one substitute. The full roster must include three men and three women.

All five active members must perform the Jumping Side Kick and the three mandatory stances simultaneously. For the remaining technical skills, at least one member must perform the required action.

Board breaking is compulsory in three sections:

• One board during the Jumping Turning Kick.
• Three boards during the Consecutive Kicks sequence.
• One board during the Acrobatic Kicking Technique.

Teams must attempt between five and nine boards during the entire routine. The boards will be supplied by the Organizing Committee and, as a general reference, measure 300mm long, 220mm wide and 9mm thick.

Supporting or boosting a teammate is permitted only during specific skills. Approved board-holding poles may also be used during the Acrobatic Kicking Technique.

The substitute cannot enter the performance area to hold boards or assist the active competitors.

Creativity, Harmony and Music

The four Freestyle presentation points correspond to:

• Creativity.
• Harmony.
• Expression of Energy.
• Music and Choreography.

Judges do not begin with four points and apply deductions. Instead, each category starts from an average assessment and increases or decreases according to the overall quality of the performance.

Creativity includes the design of the performance path, balanced distribution of movements, originality of combinations and the connection between technical skills.

Harmony evaluates the relationship between the music, rhythm, movement and transitions. In Pair and Mixed Team events, it also includes synchronization, consistency in kick height, timing and unity of execution.

When one athlete performs an individual skill, the other members should not remain motionless. The team must preserve visual continuity and a sense of unity throughout the routine.

Music Can Lead to Disqualification

Music and choreography remain the contestant’s choice, but the track cannot contain:

• Lyrics or human words.
• Weapon sounds.
• Political content.
• Social content.
• Religious content.

Sounds from nature are permitted. Duplicating another competitor’s music or choreography is also prohibited and may be reviewed by the Competition Supervisory Board.

Teams must submit their music for approval and provide a backup copy at the venue. The use of prohibited content can lead to disqualification, rather than simply a deduction.

Inspection Goes Beyond the Uniform

The handbooks establish a comprehensive inspection process covering identity, attire and safety.

Every medical tape or soft brace must receive prior approval from the Organizing Committee’s medical personnel. Visible taping between the ankle and knee, or between the wrist and elbow, must match the athlete’s skin tone and cannot exceed two layers.

A hijab cannot be secured with metal pins or contain metallic objects. The documents also include regulations concerning nails, hair accessories, piercings, belt length, undershirts and alterations to the competition uniform.

Regular eyeglasses are not permitted in Freestyle Poomsae. Athletes may use contact lenses or sports goggles.

Coaches Will Also Be Subject to Inspection

Every coach must hold a valid WT Poomsae Coach Certificate. Failure to provide the required certification may result in removal from the registration list and exclusion from the competition area.

During the semifinals and finals, coaches must wear formal attire with sports shoes. Shorts, jeans, caps and open-toed footwear are prohibited.

WT also addresses inappropriate conduct, interference with officials, offensive remarks and attempts to disrupt competition management. Sanctions may extend beyond the World Championships.

Protests must be submitted by an official delegate within ten minutes of the conclusion of the relevant contest, accompanied by the official form and a non-refundable fee of US$200.

Mixed Poomsae: Reaffirmed, but Not Among the 42 Titles

The handbooks also include Mixed Poomsae Competition, a format in which the same athlete or group first performs a Recognized Poomsae and then a Freestyle Poomsae.

Its structure covers Men’s and Women’s Individual, Pair, Men’s and Women’s Team with three members, and Mixed Team with five performers and one substitute. Participation is restricted to athletes aged 18 and older.

It is not, however, a category created specifically for Chuncheon. Mixed Poomsae was already included in the WT Competition Rules in force since June 2024 and is not part of the 42-title program announced for the 2026 World Championships.

A Guide That Could Change Competition Preparation

The handbooks were created and edited by WT Poomsae Referee Chairman Dr. Jun Yoon alongside the WT Poomsae Handbook Committee. They were authorized and ratified by WT Poomsae Committee Chairman Dr. Jungheon Kim.

Their publication requires athletes and coaches to review routines, sequences and competitive strategies before Chuncheon.

An incomplete rotation, a missing stance, a skill performed out of order, insufficient knee extension or an inappropriate music selection could have decisive consequences.

World Taekwondo has not changed the essence of Poomsae through these documents. It has done something equally significant: it has explained with greater precision how the discipline should be performed and how its referees are expected to judge it on the world stage.

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