What are the weight classes in taekwondo and how does the weigh-in work?
I · Intermediate · Knock downs, replay and entry · 7 of 7The Olympic Games use four categories for men and four for women. World Taekwondo's own events use eight. Athletes weigh in the day before they compete and get a second try within the time limit. On the morning of competition some are picked at random and weighed again, with 5 per cent allowed over the limit.
How it works
- Olympic, men: up to 58 kg, up to 68 kg, up to 80 kg and over 80 kg.
- Olympic, women: up to 49 kg, up to 57 kg, up to 67 kg and over 67 kg.
- World, men: limits of 54, 58, 63, 68, 74, 80 and 87 kg, then over 87 kg.
- World, women: limits of 46, 49, 53, 57, 62, 67 and 73 kg, then over 73 kg.
- One decimal place: "not exceeding 50kg" means 50.0 kg is in and 50.1 kg is over.
- General weigh-in: the day before competing, in a session of at most two hours.
- Two tries: an athlete who fails gets one more weigh-in within the time limit.
- Random weigh-in: on the morning of competition, completed at least 30 minutes before the start.
- The tolerance: "plus 5% tolerance of the contestant's weight category".
- How many are picked: from 2 athletes in a category of four to eight, up to 20 per cent in a category of more than 32.
- Not turning up: an athlete who does not appear for the random weigh-in is disqualified.
- One category: nobody may enter more than one weight category at an event.
The glossary has the weight class entry, the disqualification entry, the contest, kyorugi, taekwondo and the referee.
Tricky cases
An athlete in the under 58 kg category weighs 58.1 kg at the first attempt. Are they out?
Not yet. One more weigh-in is allowed within the time limit.
The same athlete passes at 58.0 kg and is picked for the random weigh-in. What is the limit then?
The category limit plus 5 per cent, which is 60.9 kg.
An athlete picked for the random weigh-in fails it. Do they get a second try?
No. The random weigh-in is made once only.
Can an athlete be too light?
Yes at the general weigh-in, where 50.0 kg is insufficient for an "over 50 kg" category. Underweight is not checked at the random weigh-in.
Why the rule exists
Reach and mass decide a lot in a kicking sport, so athletes are matched by weight. The random weigh-in the next morning is aimed at extreme weight cutting: an athlete who dried out to make the limit and then put on far more than 5 per cent overnight is caught by it.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | Four categories for each gender | WT Article 5.2 |
| World Taekwondo events | Eight or six categories | WT Article 5.1 |
| Cadets and juniors at the weigh-in | Weighed in underwear with 100 g allowed | WT Article 9.3.1 |
| Cadets | Height categories exist as well as weight | WT Article 5.5.1 |
| Team competition | A combined weight limit and no random weigh-in | WT Article 5.6; 22.6 |
From the rule book
World Taekwondo, Competition Rules & Interpretation (in force 1 June 2026), Articles 5, 6.1.1 and 9. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WT Competition Rules & Interpretation, 1 June 2026 (PDF).