What happens in poomsae if scores are tied or a performance is interrupted?
A · Advanced · The competition · 1 of 1A tie in recognised poomsae goes to the athlete with the higher presentation mark, and in freestyle to the higher technical mark. If still level, all the judges' marks are added, dropped ones included. After that there is a rematch. Two warnings for misconduct mean disqualification, and an athlete who cannot resume within 90 seconds loses.
How it works
- The winner: the athlete "awarded more points in total".
- First tie-break: more points in presentation for recognised poomsae, or in technical skills for freestyle.
- Mixed competition: the freestyle points decide first.
- Second tie-break: the higher total of all judges' marks, with the highest and lowest put back in.
- Third: a rematch of one compulsory form chosen by the Technical Delegate. Earlier scores do not carry over.
- If the rematch is tied: the total including the dropped marks decides.
- Kyeong-go: a warning for misconduct by the athlete or coach, such as undesirable remarks.
- Two warnings: "the referee shall declare the contestant a loser by disqualification".
- A stop caused by the athlete: if they do not show the will to continue within 90 seconds, the opponent wins.
- A stop caused by something else: the problem is fixed and the athlete is given another chance to perform.
- Not appearing: an athlete who does not enter after the coordinator's call is treated as withdrawn.
- Protests: in writing within 10 minutes of the contest, with a fee of US$200.
The glossary has the poomsae ties entry, the poomsae scoring entry, the penalty entry, the disqualification entry, the referee and the freestyle poomsae entry.
Tricky cases
Two athletes finish on 7.63. One has 4.50 for presentation and the other 4.46. Who wins?
The athlete with 4.50, in recognised poomsae.
The music cuts out in the middle of a freestyle performance. Does the athlete lose?
No. Where the stoppage is not related to the athlete, the problem is resolved and another chance to perform is given.
An athlete pulls a muscle and stops. How long do they have?
Ninety seconds to show the will to continue. The referee may also stop the contest if the athlete cannot continue after a minute of recovery.
Is a kyeong-go a deduction from the score?
The rule book's interpretation calls it a "deduction of points by penalties" for behaviour, separate from the judges' marking, but gives no amount. What is stated is that two of them mean disqualification.
Why the rule exists
Each tie-break favours the half of the score that the event values most: how the form was presented in recognised poomsae and what was attempted in freestyle. Putting the dropped marks back in uses information the judges had already given before asking the athletes to perform again.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recognised poomsae | Presentation breaks a tie | WT Poomsae Article 17 |
| Freestyle poomsae | Technical skills break a tie | WT Poomsae Article 17 |
| Mixed poomsae competition | Freestyle points break a tie | WT Poomsae Article 17 |
| Still tied | All marks counted, then a rematch | WT Poomsae Article 17 |
From the rule book
World Taekwondo, Poomsae Competition Rules & Interpretation (in force 30 September 2024), Articles 12, 13, 17, 18 and 26. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WT Poomsae Competition Rules & Interpretation, 30 September 2024 (PDF).