Taekwondo New Zealand Kukkiwon Cup International Open 2026

Information Pack
Logo for the 2026 Kukkiwon Cup Taekwondo International Open in New Zealand, featuring a grey New Zealand coastline outline behind a silver fern, red southern cross stars and text.

FAQ’s

SCHEDULE, LOCATION, PARKING, GENERAL ADMISSION

    • Doors open at 7:30am

    • BB WT Poomsae - Saturday 23 May 2026, starting at 8:00am (uncontested divisions first)

    • BB Traditional / Colour Belt Poomsae - Saturday 23 May 2026, starting at 9am

    • Kyorugi Competition (all grades) - Saturday 23 May 2026, starting at 12:30pm (approx)

    • Competition concludes at approximately 7pm

    • Entries close: Friday 10th May 2026 at 10pm (NZT)

    • When: Saturday 23 May 2026, 7:30am - 7pm

    • Where: Pioneer Stadium, 75 Lyttelton St, Christchurch, 8024

    • Pioneer Stadium is a large 2150sqm indoor sports stadium that sits alongside a swimming pool and gym complex. There are plenty of toilets and changing rooms available to use.

    • The swimming pool is open to the public and has a spa and sauna available for use.

  • There is free car parking available for 200+ vehicles. First in first served.

  • General public admission from 7:45am. An entry fee will be required:

    Adult (18+) - $10

    Child (5 - 17) - $5

    Under 5 - Free

    Payment via cash and credit/debit card will be available at the door.

 RULES & ELIGIBILTY

    • Competition is open to competitors aged 5 years and over from grade yellow belt up.

    • Competition is open to all TNZ Gold / Silver status clubs and any overseas club, regardless of affiliation.

    • Current WT rules for both kyorugi and poomsae will be used.

    • A coaches’ briefing may occur prior to the start time of competition. Coaches are required to attend briefings. This meeting will not provide opportunity to make match plays or changes to the draw.

    • Coaches are expected to behave in a respectful manner to players and officials at all times.

    • Coaches must be dressed in tidy attire e.g. suit, team tracksuit. No full doboks, shorts, singlets, jandals, slides, bare feet, hats, ripped pants etc. Coaches can wear a team shirt/jacket with dobok pants and footwear. This will be strictly enforced.

  • KYORUGI:

    • Held under current WT kyorugi competition rules.

    • All competitors must pre-register and qualify through weigh-in.

    • Electronic Daedo PSS - The matches will be staged using Daedo GEN II Electronic PSS systems for grades 5-3 (age 12+), 2-1 (all ages) and Black Belt (all ages) divisions.

    • Corner Judging (manual scoring/non-electronic) - All minor (under 12 years) grade 5-3 and grade 8-6 (all ages) divisions.

    • The format for COLOURED BELT matches is “Best of 3” with 1-minute rounds. (30 sec rest)

    • The format of BLACK BELT matches is “Best of 3” with 1-minute 30sec rounds. (30 sec rest)

    • Kyorugi competitors must wear a white WT style taekwondo uniform.

    • Black belt competitors can either wear a specialist kyorugi or regular uniform.

    • No coloured uniforms or uniforms that feature a large amount of colours (other than white) will be accepted. (this excludes club logos)

    • All competitors must present themselves, in the company of a coach or representative, to the inspection desk. All competitors must wear WT approved gloves, forearm guards, head guard, chest guard, groin guard, shin guards, foot/sensor socks.

    • Groin, forearm and shin guards must be worn beneath the uniform.

    POOMSAE:

    • Current WT Poomsae Competition Rules will apply throughout the competition, except where alterations have occurred in the information package.

    • All divisions will be using the new 1 v 1 format

    • All poomsae referees, team managers & coaches should attend the rules & team meetings being held via zoom on Thursday 21 May. Any competition alterations will be issued at this time.

    • Uncontested poomsae players/pairs/teams must complete their respective Poomsae patterns, as per competition rules. As they placed first in their division, the player/pair/team will receive their medal(s) for winning their division.

    PAIRS OR TEAMS - WT BLACK BELT DIVISION 1

    • Pairs MUST be of mixed gender (male and female).

    • A Team is THREE players, all players MUST be the same gender.

    • Pairs & Team members must be of the same “Belt and Age grouping” as for individual competition.

    PAIRS OR TEAMS - BLACK BELT DIVISION 2 AND ALL COLOUR BELT DIVISIONS

    • Pairs can be any mix of gender.

    • A Team is THREE players, players can be any mix of gender.

    • Pairs & Team members should be of the same “Belt and Age grouping” as for individual competition, but it is NOT mandatory. Where this is not the case, the highest belt and or age will be used when determining the division for competition.

    • Taekwondo New Zealand reserves the right to exclude or remove any person from the venue whose behaviour is deemed to be unacceptable.

    • As per WT rules and the TNZ Code of Conduct, Clubs and Club Instructors will be held accountable for their member’s behaviour. The WT rules governing Sanctioning are covered in Article 23 and 24 of World Taekwondo’s Competition Rules and Interpretation.

    • Taekwondo New Zealand maintain a zero-tolerance policy for verbal, aggressive, and violent behaviour directed at our staff, officials, athletes, coaches, and spectators. Individuals displaying such conduct will be promptly removed from the venue and respective clubs will face further sanctions.

ENTRY, ENTRY FEES, REFUNDS, LATE ENTRIES

  • All entries for 2026 are to be submitted online via:

    www.smoothcomp.com

    • All entries to be received by 10pm Sunday 10th May.

    • Online entries: payment must be made in full online either via credit card or visa/mastercard debit card.

    • Late entries will be accepted only via the online entry portal but will incur a +NZ$30 late fee per event entered.

    • Any payment not received by 5pm Friday May 22nd will incur a late payment fee of $100 per team entry.

    • Players will not be eligible to compete until entry payment has been received.

  • Adult Entry Fee (Aged 17+) - $NZ

    • Kyorugi - $80

    • Individual Poomsae - $80

    • Poomsae Pairs (per person) - $80

    • Poomsae Teams (per person) - $80

    Youth Entry Fee (under 17) - $NZ

    • Kyorugi - $70

    • Individual Poomsae - $70

    • Poomsae Pairs (per person) - $70

    • Poomsae Teams (per person) - $70

    When entering online as you will have clearer visibility of your athletes’ divisions. Plus, you can add in your athlete’s image and club logo to appear on the virtual draw.

  • ONLINE ENTRIES

    • Payment via credit card or visa/mastercard debit card.

    • Refunds will be given for withdrawals up to 5.00pm Friday 15 May.

    • A 30% admin fee will be applied and deducted from any refunds.

    • There will be no refunds given after this date.

    • Late entries will be accepted only via the online entry portal but will incur a +NZ$30 late fee per event entered.

    • No manual late entries will be accepted.

    • Entry fees not received by 5pm Friday May 22nd will incur a late payment fee of NZ$100 per team entry.

    • Players will not be eligible to compete until entry payment has been received.

KYORUGI

    • Kyorugi Competition (all grades) - Saturday 23 May 2026, starting at 12:30pm (approx)

    • Competition concludes at approximately 7pm

    • Kyorugi draw will be published online at www.nzkukkiwoncup.co.nz and online at www.smoothcomp.com

    • Please refer to the smoothcomp website for live draw updates. We strongly recommend referring to the live draw as this will be up to date.

    • Kyorugi draws will be able to be downloaded and printed.

    • Physical copies of the draw will not be given out.

    • There will be multiple monitors at the event showing the live draw.

  • No player can weigh in across multiple sessions. One session per player.

    Weigh in sessions:

    • Friday 22 May, 3pm - 5pm - 16 Mathers Road, Hoon Hay, Christchurch

    • Saturday 23 May, 8am - 10am - Pioneer stadium

      • It is the responsibility of the athlete and the team manager/coach to attend weigh in.

    • Weigh in sessions will close at the precise time specified regardless of who is still waiting. We strongly advise that all athletes attend early in the weigh in session to avoid missing out.

    • All competitors will be weighed in - no exceptions

    • Failure to attend or make weight will result in disqualification.

    • Initial fail - Should a player fail their initial weigh in, they may have an opportunity for one more chance during the same weigh in session. The second chance must be completed before the end of the session and priority will be given to those completing their first weigh in.

    • Weigh in sessions will close at the precise time specified regardless of who is still waiting. We strongly advise that all athletes attend early in the weigh in session to avoid missing out. No late weigh ins will be permitted.

    • Athletes failing weigh in - For those players, there is the opportunity to fight up a weight division. The division MUST be a contested division with at least one other person previously in it. A fee of NZ$40 will be paid in cash by the athlete before they are moved to a different division. Where there is no player in the division above, the player is disqualified from the competition - no refund will be given.

    • Daedo GEN II electronic PSS will be used for all grades 5-3 (age 12+), 2-1 (all ages), black belt (all ages).

    • All competitors in these divisions must supply their own Daedo GENII sensor socks.

    • A limited amount of Daedo GENII sensor socks will be available to purchase at the event.

    • Daedo GENII sensor socks can be purchased in New Zealand via KWON NZ - www.kwon.co.nz

    • Daedo GENII sensor socks can be purchased in Australia via KWON Australia - www.kwonaustralia.com

      KWON - USE CODE: KCUP2026 to save $20 off any order $100+ (exp 10/5/26)

    • Electronic Body pads and electronic head guards will be provided.

    • Kyorugi players/coaches taking supplied Daedo Electronic equipment outside of the competition area may face disciplinary action.

  • Head Kick PROHIBITED

    • When the PROHIBITED HEAD KICK rule applies, any kick that is executed above the opponents neckline, regardless of whether it makes contact or not, will be treated as a prohibited act. A gamjeom (deduction point) will be given for the first kick. Any subsequent head kick, regardless of whether it makes contact or not, will result in instant disqualification.

    • If a competitor is physically unable to continue the match after receiving the first kick to the head (due to excessive contact) then the player who executed the kick will be instantly disqualified.

    Head Kick OPTIONAL

    • Full Kick (Head and Body) is the default option until otherwise declared.

    • Head Kick will be optional and rules to be confirmed before the start of the match (decided by either of the coaches requesting “No Head Kick”).

    • Example - If only one coach requests “No-Head-Kick” then the match is “No-Head-Kick”

    • It is the Coaches responsibility to convey this “No-Head Kick” rule change to the Centre Referee, otherwise the Centre Referee will conduct a Full Kick match.

    • Changing the Head Kick ruling once the match has begun, disqualifies the player requesting the change (WDR). A player/coach may forfeit the match (WDR) at any time and then the match may continue under “Non-Head-Kick”rules but result has been pre-determined by the withdrawal (WDR).

    Head Kick REQUIRED

    • ONLY IF BOTH coaches ask for non-head Kick match prior to the start, then a “No-Head-Kick” match is allowed. This decision is not binding on further matches in the division.

    EXAMPLE - IF HONG Coach asks for a non-Head Kick match and CHUNG Coach asks for a Head-Kick match, then a Head Kick match is to proceed. HONG player/coach may forfeit the match (WDR) and then the match can proceed in a “Non-Head-Kick” format but the result has been pre-determined as a CHUNG win by the withdrawal (WDR) of HONG.

    Head Kick COMPULSORY

    • Head kicks are required.

    • A player/coach may forfeit the match (WDR) at anytime.

    ALL MINOR 1 DIVISIONS (5 TO 8 YRS)

    Head Kick PROHIBITED

    ALL MINOR 2 DIVISIONS (9 -11 YRS)

    Head Kick PROHIBITED

    CADET, JUNOR, SENIOR AND VETERAN DIVISIONS (12 YEARS+)

    For ALL Grade 8-6 Divisions, Head Kick PROHIBITED

    For ALL Grade 5-3 Divisions, Head Kick OPTIONAL

    For ALL Grade 2-1 Divisions, Head Kick REQUIRED

    For ALL Black Belt Divisions, Head Kick COMPULSORY

    • All competitors must wear WT approved gloves, forearm guards, head guard, chest guard, groin guard, shin guards, foot/sensor socks.

    • Electronic Chest and Head guards will be provided to competitors in electronic PSS divisions.

    • Should a player fail check in due to having a non WT approved body pad or head guard, a WT approved body pad and head guard will be supplied.

    • Mouth guard must be completely transparent or completely white. The only exception to this rule is for a colour coded prescribed “upper and lower” mouth-guard in which case the competitor must provide a medical certificate.

    • Competitors wearing ‘braces’ on their teeth are required to have a full mouth (upper & lower) mouth guard.

    • Kyorugi competitors must wear a white WT style taekwondo uniform.

    • Black belt competitors can either wear a specialist kyorugi or regular uniform.

    • No coloured uniforms or uniforms that feature a large amount of colours (other than white) will be accepted. (this excludes club logos)

 POOMSAE

    • Poomsae Competition (BB WT Divisions) - Saturday 23 May 2026, starting at 8:00am (uncontested divisions first)

    • Poomsae Competition (Colour Belts) - Saturday 23 May 2026, starting at 9am

    • Poomsae Competition (BB Traditional) - Saturday 23 May 2026, starting at 9am (approximately)

    • Poomsae draw will be published online at www.nzkukkiwoncup.co.nz

    • Poomsae draw will be able to be downloaded and printed.

    • Physical copies of the draw will not be given out.

    • All poomsae divisions will be using the new 1 v 1 ‘versus’ format. (excludes freestyle division)

    • All poomsae referees, team managers & coaches should attend the rules & team meetings being held via zoom on Thursday 21 May. Any competition alterations will be issued at this time.

    • Uncontested poomsae players/pairs/teams must complete their respective Poomsae patterns, as per competition rules. As they placed first in their division, the player/pair/team will receive their medal(s) for winning their division.

  • DIVISION 1 BLACK BELT WT POOMSAE

    • Open to all black belt competitors.

    • List of possible required poomae can be found in the entry pack

    DIVISION 2 BLACK BELT - TRADITIONAL POOMSAE

    • Only 1st, 2nd, 3rd Dan/Poom holders may enter the Black Belt Division 2 competition.

    • Competitors may not enter both Black Belt divisions in the same discipline.

    • Competitors are able to switch between divisions in different disciplines. For example, Division 1 for Individual, Division 2 for Pairs.

    • The Black Belt Division 2 is to promote 1st and 2nd, 3rd Dan/Poom holders to compete.

    • Possible poomsae - Taeguek 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Koryo

    FREESTYLE POOMSAE

    • Open to Black Belt competitors only aged 12+

    • Cadet (12-14), Junior (15-17) and Senior (17+) divisions only.

    • Must complete 20 - 24 techniques.

    • Maximum time 90 seconds per competitor.

  • Black Belt Division 1 - Poomsae selected May 22nd - Posted online at nzkukkiwoncup.co.nz

    Black Belt Division 2 - Taeguek 5, Koryo

    Grade 2-1 (all ages) - Taeguek 6, Taeguek 7

    Grade 5-3 (all ages) - Taeguek 3, Taeguek 4

    Grade 8-6 (all ages) - Taeguek 1, Taeguek 2

  • Black Belts

    • Black Belt Poomsae competitors aged 12+ are required to wear a WT style Poomsae uniform. It must be the correct style as per your division.

    • Black Belt Poomsae competitors aged 11 and under are able to wear a standard WT style TKD dobok.

    • Failure to wear the correct Poomsae uniform for your respective age division will result in disqualification.

    • Wearing a standard or specialist Kyorugi uniform will result in disqualification.

    Colour Belts

    • Colour belt competitors are required to wear a standard white WT style TKD uniform with a white collar.

    • Colour belt competitors wearing a black or red/black collared uniform will be allowed to compete with no deductions being given.

    • Wearing a specialist Kyorugi uniform will result in disqualification.