What do para taekwondo athletes wear?
Officials' detail · Athletes and equipment · 1 of 1Athletes wear an approved uniform, an electronic trunk protector, a head protector with face guard, groin, forearm and shin guards, sensing socks and a mouth guard. The Protector and Scoring System registers valid kicks, with hit levels set by weight, gender and class. Amputees may pad a residual limb up to 2 cm. A referee checks it all at the inspection desk.
How it works
- Trunk PSS: electronic, scores kicks.
- Sensing socks: with the PSS.
- Head protector: with face guard, blue or red.
- Guards: groin, forearm, shin, mouth.
- Residual limb: padding up to 2 cm.
- Extra protection: with WT approval.
- Hit level: by weight, gender and class.
- Inspection desk: body, kit and accreditation.
The glossary has the protective equipment (para taekwondo), the Protector and Scoring System, the inspection desk, the manipulating the PSS, the competition area (para taekwondo) and the athlete calling.
Tricky cases
Can a PSS score be reviewed on video?
No, except when linked to a prohibited act.
An athlete keeps a piercing in after a warning. Result?
They cannot compete.
Tampering with the sensors?
Disqualification; the opponent wins by DQB.
Who changes the hit level at an event?
The Technical Delegate may recalibrate it.
Why the rule exists
Electronic scoring removes judges' guesswork about force. Face guards back up the head ban.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All | Full protective kit | 4.2 |
| Amputees | 2 cm residual padding | 4.2 |
| Tampering | DQB | 15.6 |
From the rule book
World Taekwondo, Para Taekwondo Competition Rules (23 October 2025), articles 3, 4.2, 11, 13.2, 14 and 15.6. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WT Para Taekwondo Competition Rules.