There is no qualification necessary to compete.

All judging will follow Kukkiwon guidelines.

Any Martial Art Uniform in any color is acceptable. Belt representing rank is required and should be tied neatly and evenly.  A white uniform with black collar is encouraged for all events labeled “Elite.”  Example: Individual Traditional Forms Elite.

The previous World Taekwondo Hanmadangs held in Korea were only open to Black Belts.  The 2025 World Taekwondo Hanmadang will have divisions for both black belts and color belts.

While having Kukkiwon certification is encouraged it is not required to compete.  However, only Kukkiwon black belts will be entered into the official Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Hanmadang records.

The previous World Taekwondo Hanmadangs held in Korea provided international participants with free hotel accommodation and meals.  The 2025 World Taekwondo Hanmadang cannot provide these same benefits.  All participants (both domestic and international) are responsible for his or her own hotel accommodation and food.

Participants MUST register online.  There are absolutely no paper or at the door registrations.  Athletes must register to compete in the 2025 World Taekwondo Hanmadang under a Dojang (Taekwondo School).  Athletes cannot register simply as an individual.

The Organizing Committee created this policy in cooperation with law enforcement to help prevent individuals entering from outside the United States under false pretenses.  This step of validating that athletes train at an actual Taekwondo school allows us to prevent illegitimate athletes from registering for the 2025 World Taekwondo Hanmadang.

For U.S. athletes, each state will have a “Dojang” for your state that is designed for athletes that are independent and not training with a Dojang.  For example, “California Independent Athletes Dojang.”  Independent athletes can register under the state independent “Dojang.”

If you are a legitimate international athlete, please email info@worldhanmadang.com to determine other options to register as an athlete.

If you are an international athlete that needs help with an invitation letter to obtain a visa visit our website www.worldhanmadang.com for the full policy.

Only the Dojang Owner (or authorized representative of the Dojang) can enter a Dojang into the registration system.  To add your dojang please email info@worldhanmadang.com

Each Dojang should assign 2 contact people as administrators for the Dojang.  The administrators will have access to the list of all athletes and events registered under the Dojang.

Shoes are NOT allowed for any events. However, if shoes are medically required, please bring a written doctor’s note that states shoes are required for participation. This note will need to be submitted to the Holding Area Manager prior to your event.

Age should be determined as of Thursday, July 17, 2025. The age divisions are listed below.

Age Division Name
3-5 years old Tigers
6-7 years old Pee Wee
8-9 years old Child
10-11 years old Youth
12-14 years old Cadet
15-17 years old Junior
18-30 years old Adult
31-40 years old Senior
41-50 years old Executive
51-60 years old Premier
61-70 years old Platinum
Over 70 Ultra

All Taekwondo events will be separated into MALE and FEMALE except for the following:

  1. Pairs Traditional Forms (PTF)
  2. Pairs Traditional Forms Elite (PTFE)
  3. Team Traditional Forms (TTF)
  4. Team Creative Forms WITH Weapons (TCFWW)
  5. Team Creative Forms WITHOUT Weapons (TCFWO)
  6. Team Demonstration Arirang (TDA)
  7. Team Demonstration Elite (TDE)
  8. Team Demonstration Recreational (TDR)
  9. Taekwondo Aerobics (TA)

There is NO Guarantee that every division can be broken up under the above guidelines as the divisions are dictated by the number of athletes in each category.  The Organizing Committee will separate each category by age, weight, and ability at the discretion of the Organizing Committee for the safety of each participant.

The Organizing Committee will divide divisions to be as fair as possible for all participants with the discretion to create divisions outside these guidelines, if necessary.  Each division will have a maximum of 8 participants. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.  The remaining participants in the divisions will receive a “Best Spirit” medal. In addition to a medal, each participant will receive an AWARD CERTIFICATE that will display the event name and place.  (TAEKWONDO example: John Smith, Individual Traditional Forms, 6-7 years old, 1st Geup, 1st place)

All RECORD KEEPING events (listed below) and ELITE divisions will NOT have a maximum of 8 per division. Each division will be broken down by age and belt level and MAY have more than 8 per division.   For example, the Child division (age 8-9) 1st  Poom has 16 participants registered. It will ONLY be ONE division of 16 participants. First, second and third place medals will be awarded.  The remaining 13 participants will receive “Best Spirit” award medals.

  1. Individual Creative Breaking Elite (ICBE)
  2. Individual Traditional Forms Elite (ITFE)
  3. Pairs Traditional Forms Elite (PTFE)
  4. Individual Creative Forms without Weapons Elite (ICFWOE)
  5. Individual Jumping High Kick (IJH)
  6. Individual Power Breaking Knife Hand (IPKH)
  7. Individual Power Breaking Skipping Side Kick (IPSSK)
  8. Individual Power Breaking Turning Back Kick (IPBK)
  9. Individual Spinning Hook Kick (ISHK)
  10. Team Demonstration Arirang (TDA)
  11. Team Demonstration Elite (TDE)
  12. Team Demonstration Recreational (TDR)
  13. Taekwondo Aerobics (TA)

Yes, a participant can participate in a maximum of five (5) events.  Additionally, a person cannot register for the same event more than once. (For example, a participant CANNOT be on 2 Team Traditional Forms teams.) The more events a person participates in, the more likely the chance of scheduling conflicts.  The Organizing Committee will work hard to ensure participants will not be scheduled to perform in 2 separate events at the same time.

Referees cannot participate in the 2025 World Taekwondo Hanmadang.

Participants are required to go to the Holding Area when his or her division is called to the Holding area.  The participant will be called a maximum of three (3) times to appear in the Holding Area.  If a participant does not appear in the Holding Area after the maximum of three (3) times to appear, the participant will be disqualified from the competition with no refund.  The only exception to this is if the participant is already on the competition floor competing in a different division.

Geup is a Taekwondo term used for belt ranks.  Rather than say “Yellow Belt”, a person would say “9th Geup”. Typically, the lower the Geup, the closer the person is to 1st-Degree Black Belt. (For example, a 1st Geup is the level before 1st-Degree Black Belt.) Each participant should speak with his or her Master Instructor to determine their Geup level. Each taekwondo school has a unique belt ranking system.

 A SAMPLE Geup conversion chart is listed below.   However, this chart is NOT intended to serve as a universal chart.

Each participant should speak with his or her Master Instructor. 

Belt Color Geup
1 Black Belt Eligible 1st
2 Bo Dan 2 1st
3 Bo Dan 1 1st
4 Red Senior 2 2nd
5 Red Senior 1 2nd
6 Red 3rd
7 Brown Senior 3rd
8 Brown 4th
9 Blue 5th
10 Purple 6th
11 Green 7th
12 Orange 8th
13 Yellow 8th
14 White 9th

If you are participating in individual traditional forms, please check the event rule page to confirm which Kukkiwon form you will be performing.

Each event is abbreviated with a different code. The codes are below.

CODE EVENTS Ring size Page #s
1 ITF Individual Traditional Forms 8 x 8 9-11
2 ITFE Individual Traditional Forms ELITE 8 x 8 12-14
3 ITFP Individual Traditional Forms Para 8 x 8 15-17
4 PTF Pairs Traditional Forms 8 x 8 18-20
5 PTFE Pairs Traditional Forms ELITE 8 x 8 21-23
6 TTF Team Traditional Forms 8 x 8 24-26
7 ICFWO Individual Creative Forms without Weapons 8 x 8 27-29
8 ICFWOE Individual Creative Forms without Weapons ELITE 8 x 8 30-32
9 ICFWW Individual Creative Forms with Weapons 8 x 8 33-35
10 TCFWO Team Creative Forms without Weapons 8 x 8 36-38
11 TCFWW Team Creative Forms with Weapons 8 x 8 39-51
12 ICB Individual Creative Breaking 8 x 8 42-44
13 ICBE Individual Creative Breaking ELITE 8 x 8 45-47
14 ICBP Individual Creative Breaking Para 8 x 8 48-50
15 IPSSK Individual Power Skipping Side Kick 3×4 51-53
16 IPBK Individual Power Back Kick 3×4 54-56
17 IPKH Individual Power Knife Hand 2 x 2 57-59
18 ISHK Individual Spin Hook Kick 8 x 8 60-61
19 IJH Individual Jumping High Kick 8 x 8 62-63
20 TDA Team Demonstration Arirang 12 x 12 64-67
21 TDE Team Demonstration ELITE 12 x 12 68-72
22 TDR Team Demonstration Recreational 12 x 12 73-77
23 TA Taekwondo Aerobics 12 x 12 78-80

There are Pairs Traditional Forms (PTF) and Pairs Traditional Forms Elite (PTFE).  There must be exactly two (2) people registered to make up a Pairs Traditional Forms and Pairs Traditional Forms Elite.

Pairs can be made up of the same gender OR mixed gender (co-ed) for Pairs Traditional Forms (PTF)

Pairs MUST be made up of mixed genders (co-ed) for Pairs Traditional Forms Elite (PTFE)

Team Traditional Form (TTF) is between three (3) and ten (10) participants of the same or mixed gender (co-ed) to make up the team

For Team Creative Forms with Weapons (TCFWW) and Team Creative Forms without Weapons (TCFWO), these team events can have between two (2) and ten (10) participants of the same or mixed gender (co-ed) to make up the team.

The Organizing Committee will divide divisions to be as fair as possible for all participants with the discretion to create divisions outside of these guidelines.

Age Belt Rank
All 17 and Under All Color Belts
All 17 and Under All Black Belts
All 17 and Under Mixed Ranks (Color and Black Belts)
All 18-40 All Color Belts
All 18-40 All Black Belts
All 18-40 Mixed Ranks (Color and Black Belts)
All 41 and Over All Color Belts
All 41 and Over All Black Belts
All 41 and Over Mixed Ranks (Color and Black Belts)
All Mixed Ages All Color Belts
All Mixed Ages All Black Belts
All Mixed Ages Mixed Ranks (Color and Black Belts)

Your team should perform the form for the LOWEST belt rank.  For example, the team has 3 members: two are 1st Dan Black

Belts, and the third member is a 1st Geup. The entire team should perform Taegeuk Pal Jang (8), NOT Koryo.

 

The rules and requirements for competition for these events are different.  Please see official rules for complete details. Some of the major differences are:

  1. For Team Demonstration Recreational, a minimum of four (4) team members MUST be age 12 or under. In Team Demonstration Elite, there are NO age requirements.
  2. No more than five (5) members on the Team Demonstration Recreational can also compete on the same Dojang’s Team Demonstration Elite Team.
  3. The Team Demonstration Arirang is designed for high school and college teams that live and train in Korea. However, any team can compete in this division if they want.

Yes, these are different events.  No more than five (5) members on the Recreational Team can also compete on the same Dojang’s Elite Team.

In the Individual Traditional Forms Event participants are required to perform only one (1) poomsae.  There is a specific poomsae based on belt rank and age. Please see the chart in the rules section

In the Individual Traditional Forms Event Elite participants are required to perform two (2) poomsaes.  The required poomsaes will be announced the day before the competition for Individual Traditional Forms Elite.  The list of poomsaes to prepare is in the chart in the rules section.  This event is similar to “Sport Poomsae.”

In the Pairs Forms Elite Event participants MUST be mixed gender (co-ed) are required to perform two (2) poomsaes.  The required poomsaes will be announced the day before the competition for Pairs Traditional Forms Elite.  The list of poomsaes to prepare is in the chart in the rules section.  This event is similar to “Pairs Sport Poomsae.”

Upon completion of your online registration, you will receive an email confirmation with all your events.  You MUST bring the email confirmation and identification with you to pick up your participant badge.

The badge, participant bag and any pre-order items will take place on Wednesday July 16, 2025, from 1:00 – 9:00 PM at the Anaheim Convention Center Lobby.

If you cannot be present on Wednesday there will also be Participant badge pickup on Thursday July 17th through Saturday 19, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center Lobby.  Pre-order items can be picked up Wednesday-Saturday.

It is highly DISCOURAGED to have someone pick up your badge. Upon pick up, you will be requested to sign a document verifying all events are correct and CANNOT be changed. (Changes will ONLY be made if there is an error made by the Organizing Committee. Changes will NOT be made if a participant simply changes their mind on the event(s) to participate in.  Anyone who signs on your behalf will be acknowledged that all event registrations are correct and CANNOT be changed. If a Master Instructor or School Owner picks up badges for participants, the Master Instructor or School Owner MUST bring the email confirmation page and sign the document that all event registrations are correct.

International Athletes MUST pick up their own badges.  If an international participant does not pick up his or her badge it will be reported to the FBI.

Badges can be re-printed at the Participant Badge Pickup area for a $10 re-print fee.

There will be 3 hotels available with a discounted group rate.  Please visit www.worldhanmadang.com for links to the group rates.

  1. The Westin Anaheim Resort (4-star) Hotel. Located at 1030 West Katella Avenue Anaheim, CA 92802 and a 5-minute walk from the Anaheim Convention Center with a negotiated group rate of $319/night plus taxes.  The group rate waives the resort fee.  The Kukkiwon High Dan Test (Wednesday July 16, 2025), Kukkiwon Demonstration Team seminars (Wednesday July 16, 2025), Friday July 18, 2025 Formal Dinner, Saturday July 19, 2025 Closing Gala and after party will all take place at the Westin Hotel.
  2. Residence Inn (3-star) Hotel. Located at 640 West Katella Avenue Anaheim, CA 92802 and a 5-minute walk from the Anaheim Convention Center with a negotiated group rate of $269/night plus taxes.  The group rate waives the resort fee.  All rooms are suite rooms with a full kitchen.  Daily hot breakfast is included in the room rate.
  3. Spring Hill Suites (3-star) Hotel. Located at 1801 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92802 and a 5-minute walk from the Anaheim Convention Center with a negotiated group rate of $259/night plus taxes.  The group rate waives the resort fee.  All rooms are suite rooms with a microwave and small refrigerator.  Daily hot breakfast is included in the room rate.

Participants do NOT have to pay spectator fees at the Anaheim Convention Center.

All NON-participants MUST purchase a ticket for admission to the Anaheim Convention Center.

Ticket Prices

Children 3 and under are FREE only if they will be sitting on someone’s lap.  If they require a seat, you will need to pay for an additional ticket. Unfortunately, there is NO price difference for Adult and Child tickets.

 

Ages 4 and above:

Thursday, July 17, 2025

$25 General Admission (advance price online only)

$35 General Admission (at the door)

 

Friday, July 18, 2025 (Opening Ceremonies and Demonstrations):

$35 General Admission (advance price online only)

$45 General Admission (at the door)

 

Saturday, July 19, 2025:

$25 General Admission (advance price online only)

$35 General Admission (at the door)

3-day discounted package

$70 for 3-day admission (save $15).  This package is only available online as a pre-order package.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.worldhanmadang.com.  You can also purchase tickets at the Anaheim Convention Center.

You can gain FREE admission if you volunteer at the World Taekwondo Hanmadang.  Please visit our website for more details.

Parking at the Anaheim Convention Center is $25 per standard vehicle per day.  The World Taekwondo Hanmadang does not receive any portion of these funds.

There will only be two (2) para-taekwondo events:  Individual Creative Board Breaking (ICBP) and Individual Traditional Forms (ITFP).  There will be many sub-divisions within our para-taekwondo events.

Para-taekwondo participants will be allowed to have an aide, whether it be a parent, support worker, or instructor.  All aides MUST be registered online like any participant to sign a waiver and acquire a badge.  Aides will NOT have to pay to serve in this role.  You can request to receive a para-aide pass by registering at www.worldhanmadang.com or emailing info@worldhanmadang.com

There are no weigh-ins for any event.

Only martial arts weapons are allowed in the Anaheim Convention.  Firearms and knives are strictly prohibited.  All martial arts weapons must be dull and approved for safety by the Organizing Committee.  These weapons will be inspected and marked as approved on Wednesday July 16, 2025 at participant badge pick up from 1:00 – 9:00 PM at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena Lobby.  If you cannot attend participant badge on Wednesday you can receive approval at participant badge pickup Thursday, Friday, or Saturday at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena Lobby.

Coaches will be allowed on the competition floor.  To receive a coach’s pass there is a fee of $75/coach if purchased online in advance or $100 at the door.  All coaches must complete an abbreviated online SafeSport review that will be provided by the 2025 World Taekwondo Hanmadang as a part of the online registration system. The cost for this review is included in the coach’s pass fee. There are no discounts for additional coaching passes.  Coaches may only be on the competition floor when his or her athlete is on the competition floor to perform.  All coaches must agree to a code of conduct.  Failure to comply with the code of conduct will result in immediate revocation of the coaching pass with no refund.

Please note: During the competition for Individual Creative Board Breaking (ICB) and Individual Creative Board Breaking Elite (ICBE) athletes are encouraged to provide their own holders.  You do NOT need a coaching pass to be a holder.  However, if you are only a holder – you CANNOT coach the student.  If you intend to coach an athlete for Individual Creative Boarding Breaking events you must register and purchase a coach’s pass.  If you are a Para Aide – you do NOT need to purchase a coach’s pass.  For full details and to apply please visit www.worldhanmadang.com

Cell phones, cameras and camcorders are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from the award area.  All cell phones, cameras, or camcorders in this area are subject to confiscation.  Pictures CAN be taken from any spectator area.  Pictures on the award podium are officially recorded and taken by the event photographer.  NO additional photographers can take pictures of participants while on the award podium.  Any flash photography will interfere with the official event photographer, disturb the official records and slow down the process.

There are NO press passes available.  Only Participants, Referees, Organizing Committee Members, Coaches, and working volunteers will have access to the competition floor.

Only the below Elite Divisions will be subject to video replay/arbitration:

  1. Individual Traditional Forms Elite (ITFE)
  2. Individual Creative Breaking Elite (ICBE)
  3. Pairs Traditional Forms Elite (PTFE)
  4. Team Demonstration Arirang (TDA)
  5. Team Demonstration Elite (TDE)
  6. Individual Creative Forms without Weapons (ICFWOE)

Only for the above events, if an athlete or coach objects to a referee’s judgement, he or she can make a claim to the Kukkiwon Arbitration Committee within 10 minutes after the competition.  The arbitration fee is $200.00.

For all other events, all scores and results are final.  Video replay to question scoring is not available.  If you have a question about a score you may ask to speak with a member of the Organizing Committee so questions can be directed appropriately to the Referee Chairman.

A schedule is available to view online at  www.worldhanmadang.com under the “Event Info” main menu and “Schedule” submenu.  The final schedule will be released after the registration deadline of Tuesday July 9, 2025.  A final bracket and division list will be available to view online on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

Some events will have this same privilege for 1st place winners.  More details will be released soon.

Participants can bring re-usable water bottles and small personal snacks into the arena.  No other outside food or drink is allowed in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.  Food and drink can be purchased at the concession area in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

The Anaheim Convention Center is a CLEAR BAG Policy venue.  Only clear bags and small clutch-sizes purses are allowed at entry.  For more details information please visit the Anaheim Convention Center website.  Taekwondo athletes can bring in an equipment bag but it will be searched prior to entry.  All equipment bags will be searched every time you enter the arena.

Anaheim is one of the largest tourist communities in the world with award winning theme parks, restaurants, beaches, shopping and much more.   The Organizing Committee has negotiated a discount at Disneyland.  For more information, please visit www.worldhanmdang.com.