Taekwondo — kicks, points, weight classes & the road to LA28
Education Margdarshan's taekwondo map for India in simple words: how points are scored in a kyorugi (sparring) match under World Taekwondo's June 2026 rules, the weight classes for cadets, juniors, seniors and the Olympics, the papers every fighter needs, how LA28 places are won, the federation dispute in India, the SAI centres, who pays and the jobs after a medal.
How a taekwondo match is scored, and the weight classes
Taekwondo is a Korean kicking sport. In kyorugi (sparring) two fighters wear an electronic trunk protector and head guard; sensors decide most kicks, and judges score punches. The Olympics hold kyorugi only. [1][2]
Points under World Taekwondo rules (in force from 1 June 2026) [1]
| Technique | Points |
|---|---|
| Punch to the trunk protector | 1 |
| Kick to the trunk protector | 2 |
| Kick to the head | 3 |
| Turning kick to the trunk | 4 (double) |
| Turning kick to the head | 6 (double) |
| Opponent gets a penalty (gam-jeom) | 1 to you; 2 if it was for running away, falling or stepping out in the last 10 seconds of a round |
- A match is 3 rounds of 2 minutes with 1 minute's rest. In the best-of-three system you win by winning two rounds.
- A penalty (gam-jeom) is given for stepping over the boundary line, falling down, avoiding the fight, attacking after the referee stops play, and similar acts. Five gam-jeoms in one round lose you that round; ten in a match lose you the match.
- Points scored right after a prohibited act are cancelled. [1]
WT weight classes (kg) [1]
| Group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic (LA28) | 58 · 68 · 80 · +80 | 49 · 57 · 67 · +67 |
| Senior (World Championships) | 54 · 58 · 63 · 68 · 74 · 80 · 87 · +87 | 46 · 49 · 53 · 57 · 62 · 67 · 73 · +73 |
| Junior (15–17) | 45 · 48 · 51 · 55 · 59 · 63 · 68 · 73 · 78 · +78 | 42 · 44 · 46 · 49 · 52 · 55 · 59 · 63 · 68 · +68 |
Ages count by year of birth, not the exact date: seniors are at least 17 in the year of the event, juniors 15–17 and cadets 12–14. Cadets have their own lighter classes, starting at 33 kg (boys) and 29 kg (girls). [1]
Olympics, Asian Games, World Championships — and India's federation dispute
LA28 Olympic taekwondo — the hard numbers [2]
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Places | 128 (64 men, 64 women); at most one per class per country, 16 per class |
| Route 1 — Olympic ranking | The top 5 in each class on the WT Olympic Ranking of January 2028 (40 places) |
| Route 2 — Grand Slam | The leader of each class in the WT Grand Slam Champions Series (8 places) |
| Route 3 — continental | Asia's qualification tournament: the top 2 in each class (16 places for Asia) |
| Age | Born on or before 31 December 2011 (at least 17) |
| Must also hold | A Kukkiwon Dan certificate and a WT Global Athlete Licence |
- To be entered through the continental tournament, a fighter must have at least one result such as a medal at any WT-calendar event (1 June 2026 – 31 May 2028), a world top-20 ranking, a last-16 finish at the 2025 or 2027 World Championships, or a national title in that period. [2]
Government cash award for a senior medal (₹ lakh) [4]
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| Asian Games / Commonwealth Games | 30 | 20 | 10 |
| World Championship (every 2 years) | 20 | 14 | 8 |
| Asian Championship (every 2 years) | 7.5 | 5 | 2.5 |
Who runs taekwondo in India is under dispute. In January 2026 the Delhi High Court ordered that neither the Taekwondo Federation of India nor India Taekwondo may act as the National Sports Federation until the Sports Ministry passes a reasoned decision. Education Margdarshan could not find that final Ministry order online. Before you pay for any 'national' event, check the Ministry's current list of recognised federations — a certificate from an unrecognised body does not count for jobs. [3][12]
The papers, the two weigh-ins and anti-doping
- At WT and continental championships and multi-sport Games you need: the nationality of your team, a recommendation from your national federation, a Kukkiwon Dan or Poom certificate (black-belt grade) and a WT Global Athlete Licence. [1]
- General weigh-in: the day before you fight. If you miss the first time, you get one more try inside the time limit.
- Random weigh-in: on the morning of the fight, a share of each class is picked by computer (20% if more than 32 fighters). You may be up to 5% over your class; miss it or skip it and you are disqualified. There is no second try.
- Cadets and juniors weigh in wearing underwear and get 100 g extra. [1]
- Under the anti-doping code you must be available for testing and check every medicine against the Prohibited List; if no permitted treatment exists, apply to NADA for a TUE. [5]
From the club mat to the national camp
Every stage from first club to the international level, the detailed route, the age-by-age ladder and what to eat from stage 1, with sources.
Where India's taekwondo fighters train
SAI National Centres of Excellence with taekwondo [7]
| Centre | Other sports there |
|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Athletics, cycling, football, volleyball |
| Bengaluru, Karnataka | Athletics, hockey, weightlifting |
| Guwahati, Assam | Archery, athletics, boxing, cycling, fencing, football |
| Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Athletics, hockey, weightlifting, wrestling |
Taekwondo is also taught at SAI Training Centres (ages 12–18) and in SAI's school and college extension centres. [7]
Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), Vijayanagar, Karnataka lists taekwondo among its sports, with athlete residences, recovery, physiotherapy and sports science on campus. [9]
Protectors, belts and who pays the bills
- At WT-calendar events a fighter wears a WT-approved dobok, electronic trunk and head protectors, groin guard, forearm and shin guards, gloves and sensing socks, plus a mouthguard. Fighters must bring their own approved protective gear, gloves and mouthguard. Education Margdarshan does not print shop prices — no governing body publishes them.
- Each Dan or Poom grading and the WT Global Athlete Licence are separate costs paid through your federation. [1]
Who pays — taekwondo ladder [7][10]
| Stage | Paid by | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| SAI centre trainee | Sports Authority of India | Coaching, boarding, sports science, diet |
| Khelo India athlete | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | ₹6.28 lakh a year incl. ₹1.20 lakh cash |
| Olympic prospect | TOPS Core Group | ₹50,000 a month + approved training plan |
| Athlete in hardship | PDU National Welfare Fund | Up to ₹2.50 lakh |
- Weight-cutting with pills or powders is a doping risk: no supplement is 100% safe and strict liability applies — food first, with a certified nutritionist. [6]
Awards, pension and sports-quota jobs
- Taekwondo is one of the 65 sports in the central sports quota for Group C posts, with up to 5 years' age relaxation (10 for SC/ST).
- Medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games or World Championships can bring up to three out-of-turn promotions. [11]
- CRPF's 2026 sports quota has 14 taekwondo (kyorugi) posts: women 46, 49, 53, 57 and 62 kg; men 58, 63, 68 and 74 kg. [13]
- Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons: ₹12,000–20,000 a month after retirement. [10]
Mistakes that end a fighter's tournament
- Skipping or failing the random weigh-in on fight day — instant disqualification, no second try.
- No Kukkiwon certificate or WT licence when you are picked for a WT or Asian event.
- Running out of the ring or falling in the last 10 seconds — that penalty gives the opponent 2 points.
- Tampering with the electronic protector or sensors — disqualification. [1]
Late start, black belt, jobs, money and certificates — straight answers
I am 17, 19 or 21. Is it too late to start taekwondo?
Not for competing: a senior is anyone 17 or older in the year, with no upper limit. It is late for the free pipelines — SAI Training Centres take ages 12–18 — so you will train at a club and need national and WT-calendar results to be noticed. The real clock is the job deadline: Railways sports quota stops at 25 and CRPF at 23 (28 for an unreserved sportsperson after relaxation). [1][7][12][13]
Do I need a black belt to compete?
For World Taekwondo, Asian and multi-sport events, yes: you must hold a Kukkiwon Dan or Poom certificate and a WT Global Athlete Licence. LA28 also asks for a Kukkiwon Dan certificate. Get your grades through a recognised club so the certificate is issued by Kukkiwon. [1][2]
Which government jobs can taekwondo get me?
Central Group C posts under DoPT rules list taekwondo among 65 sports. CRPF's 2026 sports quota had 14 taekwondo posts across nine weight classes. Western Railway's 2026-27 notice had no taekwondo posts — each zone advertises only the events its team needs. [11][13][12]
Sports-quota job routes open in 2026 — age, qualifying results, pay [12][13]
| Route | Age | Main qualifying results | Pay level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railways Level 5/4 (graduates) | 18–25 on 1 Jan 2027 | Played the Olympics, or top 3 at a World Cup, World Championship, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games or Youth Olympics | Level 5/4 |
| Railways Level 3/2 (12th, or 10th + apprenticeship) | 18–25 on 1 Jan 2027 | Top 3 at Senior, Youth or Junior Nationals, National Games or All India Inter-University; or Federation Cup gold | Level 3/2 |
| Railways Level 1 | 18–25 on 1 Jan 2027 | Played for your state and finished at least 8th at Senior Nationals; or top 3 at the Federation Cup | Level 1 |
| CRPF Head Constable (GD) (10+2) | 18–23 on 1 Aug 2026; sportspersons get +5 years (OBC +8, SC/ST +10) | Played for India; or top 3 for your state at Nationals or National Games; or gold/silver at Junior Nationals | Level 4 · ₹25,500–81,100 |
| CRPF Constable (GD) (10th pass) | 18–23 on 1 Aug 2026; sportspersons get +5 years (OBC +8, SC/ST +10) | Played for your state at Senior or Junior Nationals; or top 3 at SGFI school nationals or Khelo India Games | Level 3 · ₹21,700–69,100 |
Railways count results from 1 April 2024; CRPF counts the two years before 30 September 2026. Railways fee ₹500 (₹400 back if you attend the trial; ₹250, refunded in full on attending, for SC/ST, women, PwBD, minorities, ex-servicemen and EBC). CRPF fee ₹100 for UR/OBC/EWS men; free for women, SC, ST and ex-servicemen. CRPF picks sign a ₹1 lakh bond to serve at least 3 years. [12][13]
We are a lower-middle-class family. How do we keep costs down?
Aim for the free seats: SAI Training Centres and the four taekwondo NCOEs give coaching, boarding, sports science and diet, and a Khelo India athlete gets ₹6.28 lakh a year. A fighter in hardship can apply to the PDU National Welfare Fund for up to ₹2.50 lakh. [7][10]
Does any 'national' certificate count for a job?
No. Railways will not recruit on a certificate from a federation MoYAS did not recognise at the time of the championship, and CRPF counts only championships of MoYAS-recognised federations or the IOA's National Games. In taekwondo this matters more than usual, because the High Court has said neither rival body may act as the national federation until the Ministry decides. [12][13][3]
Where these facts come from
Every fact on this Education Margdarshan page is taken from the governing body's own rule book or a Government of India file below, read on 17 October 2026. Federations change rules, weight classes and scheme amounts — open the current file before you act on it.
- World Taekwondo — Competition Rules & Interpretation (in force 1 June 2026; copy published by the Danish Taekwondo Federation) (opens in a new tab) Contestant papers and ages, weight classes, match duration, weigh-ins, points incl. doubled turning kicks, gam-jeom penalties · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- World Taekwondo — Qualification System, LA28 Olympic Games: Taekwondo (version 12 May 2026; copy published by NOC*NSF) (opens in a new tab) 4 + 4 classes, 128 places, ranking / Grand Slam / continental routes, age, Kukkiwon Dan and WT licence, eligibility results · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- Delhi High Court — Union of India v. Taekwondo Federation of India & Ors., LPA 5/2026 with LPA 776/2025 (6 Jan 2026) (opens in a new tab) Neither TFI nor India Taekwondo to act as NSF until the Ministry's reasoned decision; World Taekwondo affiliation issue · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- MYAS — Scheme of Cash Incentive to Medal Winners (amended 1 Feb 2025) (opens in a new tab) Award amounts; taekwondo World and Asian Championships (biennial) incl. para events · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- NADA India — Athlete's Rights & Responsibilities (opens in a new tab) Testing availability, Prohibited List, TUE · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- NADA India — Managing the Risk of Nutritional Supplements (opens in a new tab) Supplement risk, strict liability, food-first approach · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- SAI — Brief on Sports Promotional Schemes 2024-25 (opens in a new tab) Taekwondo NCOEs, STC entry (ages 12–18), extension centres · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- Khelo India — How to become a Khelo India Athlete (opens in a new tab) Scouting, assessment camps, NSRS registration · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- Inspire Institute of Sport, Vijayanagar — Sports (opens in a new tab) Taekwondo among IIS sports; facilities · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- PIB — Financial Support to Athletes (5 Aug 2024) (opens in a new tab) Khelo India, TOPS, welfare fund, pension · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- DoPT — Instructions on Recruitment/Promotion for Sportspersons (18 Nov 2022) (opens in a new tab) Taekwondo in the 65-sport list, Group C, out-of-turn promotion · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- Western Railway RRC — Employment Notice RRC/WR/01/2026 (Sports Quota), 27 Aug 2026 (opens in a new tab) Age 18–25 on 1 Jan 2027, level norms, no taekwondo posts in this notice, MoYAS-recognition rule, fees · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- CRPF — Recruitment of Meritorious Sportspersons, HC & Constable (GD), Sports Quota 2026 (Advt. R.II-21/2026-Sports, 17 Sep 2026) (opens in a new tab) 521 posts incl. 14 taekwondo (kyorugi) posts, age and relaxation, qualifications, fee, ₹1 lakh bond · Last checked 17 Oct 2026
- World Taekwondo — Poomsae Competition Rules and Interpretation (in force 30 Sep 2024) (opens in a new tab) Poomsae divisions by birth year: cadet 12–14, junior 15–17, under 30 … over 65 (men), over 60 (women) · Last checked 19 Oct 2026
- SAI NSNIS Patiala — Six Week Certificate Course in Sports Coaching (opens in a new tab) 6 weeks (4 online, 2 offline), ₹14,800, Class 12 + district-level top 3 or state / inter-university / SGFI / national participation · Last checked 19 Oct 2026
- SAI NSNIS Patiala — Diploma in Sports Coaching (course page, 2026-27) (opens in a new tab) 1 year, ₹63,800, 785 + 104 seats in 26 disciplines at Patiala, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram; Category A (Class 12 + international record), B (graduation + national record) · Last checked 19 Oct 2026
- ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition — Dietary Guidelines for Indians (booklet), Guideline 8 (opens in a new tab) Cereal-pulse 3:1 protein quality, vegetarian and non-vegetarian protein sources; most athletes meet protein needs from food, protein powders unnecessary · Last checked 19 Oct 2026
Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and Education Margdarshan will update it.
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