Program Overview

Introduction to Taekwondo Paralímpico Parataekwondo

The Parataekwondo program made its debut at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima and subsequently participated in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. The competition is organized into categories based on sex, age, and graduation. The only Paralympic subclass is K-44, which falls under the K-40 class, where the letter K denotes combat or fighting. In Parataekwondo, the only eligible disability is that of the upper limbs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Atletes with physical-motor disabilities of the upper limbs, without affecting the lower limbs, can participate.
• The disabilities must meet the eligibility criteria of the Paralympic sports classification.

Competition Dynamics

• The competitions exclusively involve the combat modality, where the objective is to defeat the opponent through scores generated by kicks to the opponent's trunk.
• The main differences between Olympic Taekwondo and Paralympic Taekwondo include the permitted moves (in Parataekwondo, head kicks are not allowed) and scoring (some techniques have different point values in the two modalities).

Program Structure

• The program focuses on the combat aspect of Taekwondo, adapted for athletes with specific physical disabilities.
• Training and competition schedules are structured to accommodate the unique needs and abilities of the participants.

Conclusion

The Taekwondo Paralímpico Parataekwondo program offers a competitive and inclusive platform for athletes with upper limb disabilities, promoting physical activity, sportsmanship, and community engagement among its participants.