Turkey To Send 8 Paralympic Taekwondo Athletes To Paris 2024

The upcoming Paralympics will showcase top-tier competition in its second rendition of the event, featuring participation from 25 countries across four continents. Turkey is set to compete with a maximum of eight athletes, leading the pack in terms of national representation.

With the qualification phase in full swing, Para Taekwondo competitors are making their final preparations for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, now just seven months away.

A diverse group of nations including 25 countries from Africa (1), Asia (9), Europe (10), Pan Am (5), and one Affiliated Individual Nation have secured their spots for Paris 2024, marking the second occasion that Para Taekwondo will be featured in the Games. Notably, Turkey has achieved the highest number of qualified athletes, eight in total, with Brazil, Mexico, and Uzbekistan each qualifying five athletes.

The 2023 Para-Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester underscored the global talent pool, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating competition. A total of 61 slots have been allocated through the World Para Taekwondo Paralympic rankings and host nation allocation methods, with additional qualification opportunities available through the Continental Qualification pathway and the Bi-Partite Invitation pathway to the Games.

With the African Qualification Tournament’s registration now closed, nations such as Niger, Kenya, Central African Republic, and Democratic Republic of the Congo have confirmed their participation. The qualification process for the Asian and European Tournaments remains open, with the African Qualifier set for 9 February at the Dakar ARENA in Dakar, Senegal. The European Tournament will follow on 8 March 2024 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Asian Tournament is scheduled for 17 March 2024 at the Taishan International Convention and Exhibition Center in Tai’an City, China.

The “K” classification system in Para Taekwondo refers to the categorization of athletes based on their physical abilities, ensuring fair and competitive matches. This classification system is specifically designed for athletes with limb impairments. It assesses the athletes’ arm reach, leg reach, and trunk control to determine their eligibility to compete in different classes. Here’s a breakdown of the system:

• K40: This category was previously used to classify athletes but is not a current classification in international competition. The evolution of the classification system has led to more specific categories that better reflect the athletes’ functional abilities.
• K41-K44: These classifications are for athletes with physical impairments affecting their arms and/or legs. The categories are differentiated by the degree and nature of the impairments.
  • K41: This class is designated for athletes with bilateral arm amputations.
  • K42: Athletes with bilateral below-elbow amputations or similar functional impairment compete in this class.
  • K43: This class includes athletes with unilateral arm amputation (above the elbow) or a similar functional impairment.
  • K44: Athletes with unilateral arm amputation (below the elbow) or those with a leg impairment that affects their ability to compete against able-bodied athletes fall into this category.
• K43 and K44: These classifications have been more prominent in international competitions, including the Paralympic Games. Athletes in these categories may compete against each other, with K43 athletes often having the option to compete in the K44 category to ensure more competitive opportunities.

The classification process involves a physical and technical assessment conducted by trained classifiers. Athletes are evaluated based on their functional capabilities to perform specific Taekwondo techniques, such as kicks, punches, and blocks, as well as their mobility on the mat.