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Paris Paralympics Taekwondo: All You Need to Know

Introduction

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will feature taekwondo for the second time, after its successful debut in Tokyo 2020. The competition will take place from August 28th to September 4th, 2024, at the Champ de Mars Arena in Paris, France.

Rules and Regulations

The rules and regulations for Paralympic taekwondo are similar to those for Olympic taekwondo, with a few modifications to accommodate athletes with disabilities. The matches are held on a 10m x 10m mat, and athletes must score points by striking their opponent with their feet or hands. The objective of the game is to score more points than the opponent within the three-minute rounds. If the match ends in a draw, an extra round is played to determine the winner.

Classification System

Athletes in Paralympic taekwondo are classified into different weight categories and impairment classes. The impairment classes are based on the type and severity of the athlete's disability. The classification system is designed to ensure that athletes compete against others with similar abilities.

Competition Format

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Taekwondo competition will feature eight weight categories for both men and women. The weight categories are:

• Men: -58 kg, -63 kg, -70 kg, -80 kg, -90 kg, -100 kg, +100 kg
• Women: -49 kg, -53 kg, -57 kg, -61 kg, -65 kg, -73 kg, +73 kg

The competition will be held in a single-elimination format, with the winners of each match advancing to the next round. The losers of each match will be eliminated from the competition. The medal matches will be held on the final day of the competition.

Athletes to Watch

Some of the top athletes to watch in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Taekwondo competition include:

• Lee Dong-Seok (Korea): Two-time Paralympic gold medalist
• Choi Young-Jun (Korea): Reigning Paralympic champion
• Omer Atabayev (Azerbaijan): Reigning world champion
• Ziyodakhon Isakova (Uzbekistan): Reigning world champion
• Islam Madatov (Russia): Reigning world silver medalist

Conclusion

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will showcase the incredible skill and determination of athletes with disabilities. The taekwondo competition is sure to be one of the most exciting and memorable events of the Games.