The World Taekwondo Federation is implementing changes to its competition rules ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. The reforms aim to promote more offensive and spectacular fights. According to Philippe Bouedo, World Taekwondo's technical director, the changes are a response to feedback from athletes, coaches, officials, media, and broadcast partners. The goal is to make taekwondo more engaging and exciting.
One of the key changes is the increased sanctioning of passive behavior. In the last 10 seconds of a round, an athlete who avoids confrontation, deliberately leaves the combat area, or causes a fall to slow down the game will face a double penalty. This move aims to prevent strategies that involve preserving a lead by avoiding combat until the end of the round. The reforms also include changes to the video assistant referee system.
The use of video assistance has been revised, with coaches no longer able to use VAR to request points not detected on the head or chest. The electronic scoring system will exclusively handle point attribution. Statistics show that this change has significantly reduced video appeals, from three per combat to one request for every three combats. This reduction in interruptions will contribute to a more fluid and continuous sporting spectacle.
Another significant development at the JOJ Dakar 2026 is the introduction of a mixed-team event in the Olympic medal program. This event, featuring teams of two boys and two girls, was previously presented at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. The format involves three rounds of three minutes, with a cumulative score throughout the event. Coaches can make substitutions between rounds, and each athlete must spend at least 15 seconds in the combat area.
The mixed-team event adds a new collective dimension to the competition, emphasizing coordination, strategy, and complementarity among team members. This new format promises fast-paced and unpredictable confrontations. With 65 participating nations and the refugee team, the taekwondo event at Dakar 2026 confirms its international scope.
The World Taekwondo Federation aims to make taekwondo more accessible, understandable, and spectacular while refocusing on athletes' engagement in combat. The new orientations will provide young competitors with a privileged platform for expression and the public with an opportunity to experience evolving taekwondo.
The reforms and new events will be showcased at the JOJ Dakar 2026, which promises to be a renewed and exciting experience. The event will feature 66 delegations and will provide a stage for young athletes to compete and grow. Philippe Bouedo presented the reforms in the presence of notable figures, including Jeonkang Seo, secretary general of World Taekwondo, and athletes Ibrahima Beye and Aïda Touré.
Key points
- World Taekwondo introduces reforms to promote more offensive and spectacular fights at JOJ Dakar 2026.
