PODIUMATHLETES AND PARENTS
How a taekwondo tournament works
From the first announcement to the medal ceremony: what happens, who does what, and what you need to do at each step.
If this is your first tournament, it can feel like a lot happens at once. Most of the work is done by your coach and the organizer behind the scenes. Your job is to train, make your weight, and turn up ready. Here is the whole journey, step by step.
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The tournament is announced
The organizer shares the tournament with academies, usually as a flyer in coach and parent WhatsApp groups. Your coach passes it on. Interested athletes tell their coach they'd like to take part, or the coach picks athletes who are ready to compete.
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You register, and train together
Your coach registers you, or you register yourself on PodiumCircle, choosing your event: Kyorugi (sparring), Poomsae (forms), or both. Then the real preparation starts: training with your team, sparring practice, and working on your forms.
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Watch your weight and pick your category
In Kyorugi you compete against athletes of the same age group, gender and weight. Weigh yourself regularly in the weeks before. With your coach, decide which weight category you'll compete in, and keep your weight inside it. Don't try to lose a lot of weight in the last few days; it hurts your performance and your health.
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The coach confirms entries and collects fees
Your coach accepts your entry and collects the entry fee, or you pay it yourself if you registered on your own. Meanwhile the organizer is busy too: booking the venue, confirming referees, arranging mats, scoring systems and sound, and approving entries. A lot happens in the background that you won't see.
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The weigh-in
Before you compete, the organizer checks every athlete's weight. This happens the day before, or on the morning of the tournament. Your coach will tell you which. Go at the time you're given, with your age proof. If you're outside your category's limit, you usually get more tries. Some tournaments let you move to another category instead.
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The draw
Once the weigh-in closes, the organizer makes the draw for each category: who fights whom, and in what order. Coaches receive the draw and share it with their athletes. Check which bout you're in and roughly when your category starts.
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Tournament day: pack your bag
Pack the night before. You'll need your uniform, protective gear, documents, food and plenty of water. Use our tournament day checklist; you can tick items off on your phone.
Parents: ask the organizer or your coach beforehand whether parents can enter the venue, where you can sit, and whether there's a separate area for spectators.
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Your category is called
When your category is announced, go to the call area with your coach. The organizer checks that every athlete in the category, and their coaches, are present. If you're not there when your category is called, you can lose your place, so stay close and listen for announcements.
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Gear up
When your category starts, put on your forearm and shin guards. You'll be told your corner for each bout: red (Hong) or blue (Chung). Wear the chest guard in your corner's colour, with a head guard in the same colour. Some tournaments use white head guards. Have your mouth guard in, and be ready before you're called to the mat.
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After your matches
When your category is finished, wait for the medal ceremony and collect your medal and certificate. Thank your coach, your opponents and the referees, and start getting ready for the next one.