Para Taekwondo is a martial art form developed by the World Taekwondo (WT) to promote the sport to athletes of all disabilities. Since its inception in 2005, the WT has made great strides in developing and promoting Para Taekwondo, and with its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the 2022 Asian Para Games, the 2023 Parpan American Games, and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Para-Taekwondo is sure to continue to grow and develop in the years to come.
In 2013, the WT signed a Memorandum of Understandings with the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) and the International Sports Federation for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (now Virtues) to work together for the development and promotion of Para-Taekwondo for athletes with Intellectual Disabilities or Neurological Impairments. Para Taekwondo Poomsae (martial art forms) competitions for Intellectual Impairments (II) athletes were held for the first time at the 5th WT World Para Taekwondo Championships in Moscow.
In this article, we will take a look at the World Para Taekwondo Ranking as of September 2023, and the top 10 ranking of Para Taekwondo athletes. We will also discuss the development of Para Taekwondo since its inception, and the inclusion of the sport in major international events.
Development of Para Taekwondo
The World Taekwondo (WT) formed the Para Taekwondo Committee in 2005 to develop and promote taekwondo to athletes of all disabilities. Initially, Para-Taekwondo focused on developing ‘kyorugi’ (sparring) for limb deficiency and arm amputee athletes, and the first WT World Para-Taekwondo Championships was held in 2009 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Since then, the Championships have been held, an additional five times, with participation growing steadily.
In October 2013, the WT became an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) recognized International Federation, and in November 2013, the WT signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) to develop Para Taekwondo for athletes with a visual impairment (VI). In 2014, the WT applied for inclusion in the 2016 Paralympic Program but was unsuccessful. However, in 2015, the IPC Governing Board put Para-Taekwondo and Para-Badminton on the shortlist of candidates for the 2020 Paralympic Program, and on January 31, 2015, the WT received the historic news that the IPC Governing Board had decided that Taekwondo should be included on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games program.
Since 2016, Para Taekwondo Poomsae for athletes with an intellectual impairment or neurological impairment has continued to develop with the introduction of sports classes at several continental-level events. In 2019, WT was informed that Para Taekwondo Kyorugi had been included in the program for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and 2020, Para Taekwondo was confirmed for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games and the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. The Para Taekwondo Committees (Para Taekwondo & Classification) appointed in 2017 have been working to further expand Para Taekwondo with additional sports classes for the Visually impaired, short stature, wheelchair, and deaf to be introduced in 2021.
World Para Taekwondo Ranking September 2023
The World Para Taekwondo Ranking as of September 2023 is as follows:
- Maksim Khramtsov (Russia)
- Vladislav Larin (Russia)
- Kristina Adebaio (Russia)
- Kadyrbech Daurov (Russia)
- Polina Khan (Russia)
- Liliia Khuzina (Russia)
- Tatiana Minina (Russia)
- Georgi Gurtsiev (Belarus)
- Artsiom Plonis (Belarus)
- Aliaksandr Hryhoryeu (Belarus)
It should be noted that, per sanctions imposed following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, taekwondo athletes from Russia and Belarus were not permitted to use the name, flag, or anthem of Russia or Belarus. They instead participated as “Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN)”, their medals were not included in the official medal table. 23 Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to compete in the event as Individual Neutral Athletes following the International Olympic Committee recommendations, while two Russian athletes (2020 Olympic Champions Maksim Khramtsov and Vladislav Larin) were barred due to their explicit support for the invasion. Nevertheless, in protest against the participation of Individual Neutral Athletes, the Ukrainian team withdrew from the championships.
Latest World Taekwondo Ranking September 2023
The following is a list of the top 10 ranked athletes in the world for Para Taekwondo as of September 2023.
Para Taekwondo Ranking New K41 Sub Category
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-58 Kg in September
1. Rinat IAKUPOV – Russian Federation
2. Muhammed ASBALA – Turkiye
3. GEORGE KHIZANISHVILI – Georgia
4. Lutfullo KODIROV – Uzbekistan
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-63 Kg in September
1. Vladislav KRICHFALUSHIY – Russian Federation
2. Hwangtae KIM – Republic of Korea
3. SABIT KOSE – Turkiye
4. Goga KHAKHALASHVILI – Georgia
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-80 Kg in September
1. Malik MUKASHEV – Kazakhstan
2. Valerii BAZIN – Russian Federation
3. Yasar Sami GOKBABA – Turkiye
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-57 Kg in September
1. Seyedeh Mahtab NABAVI – Islamic Republic Of Iran
Para Taekwondo Ranking New K44 Sub Category
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-58 Kg in September
1. Ali Can OZCAN – Turkiye
2. Asaf YASUR – Israel
3. Sabir ZEYNALOV – Azerbaijan
4. Bopha KONG – France
5. FABRICIO MARQUES DE SOUZA – Brazil
6. Mitsuya TANAKA – Japan
7. Joel MARTIN VILLALOBOS – Spain
8. Sanjarbek MUKHTOROV – Uzbekistan
9. Mohamed YASSER MOHAMED AHMED ELSAYED – Egypt
10. Nyssanbek AIDARBEKOV – Kazakhstan
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-63 Kg in September
1. Mahmut BOZTEKE – Turkiye
2. Nathan TORQUATO – Brazil
3. Antonino BOSSOLO – Italy
4. Bolor-Erdene GANBAT – Mongolia
5. Saeid SADEGHIANPOUR – Islamic Republic Of Iran
6. Zukhriddin TOKHIROV – Uzbekistan
7. Kudratjon HAYDAROV – Uzbekistan
8. Sandro MEGRELISHVILI – Georgia
9. Baurzhan KUSHERBAYEV – Kazakhstan
10. Daniil SIDOROV – Russian Federation
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-70 Kg in September
1. Juan Diego GARCIA LOPEZ- Mexico
2. Imamaddin KHALILOV -Azerbaijan
3. Fatih CELIK – Turkiye
4. Juan Eduardo SAMORANO – Argentina
5. Shunsuke KUDO – Japan
6. Mahdi POURRAHNAMA – Islamic Republic Of Iran
7. Maciej KESICKI – Poland
8. Javokhir ALIKULOV – Uzbekistan
9. Shinebayar BATBAYAR – Mongolia
10. BRUNO RODRIGUES DA MOTA – Brazil
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-80 Kg in September
1. Asadbek TOSHTEMIROV – Uzbekistan
2. Nurlan DOMBAYEV – Kazakhstan
3. Alireza BAKHT – Islamic Republic Of Iran
4. LUIS MARIO NAJERA – Mexico
5. Joseph LANE – Great Britain
6. Abulfaz ABUZARLI – Azerbaijan
7. Elliott Andre LOONSTRA – Aruba
8. Jeonghun JOO – Republic of Korea
9. Magomedzagir ISALDIBIROV – Russian Federation
10. Nikola SPAJIC – Serbia
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M+80 Kg in September
1. Ivan MIKULIC – Croatia
2. Evan MEDELL – United States of America
3. Hamed HAGHSHENAS – Islamic Republic Of Iran
4. MEHMET SAMI SARAC – Turkiye
5. Nyshan OMIRALI – Kazakhstan
6. PEDRO PAULO NEVES DA SILVA – Brazil
7. Chikara ITO – Japan
8. Asadbek ANVAROV – Uzbekistan
9. Alisher GARIPOLLAYEV – Kazakhstan
10. Tomasz ROZNIATOWSKI – Poland
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-47 Kg in September
1. CLAUDIA ROMERO – Mexico
2. Ziyodakhon ISAKOVA – Uzbekistan
3. Khwansuda PHUANGKITCHA – Thailand
4. Nurcihan EKINCI – Turkiye
5. Maryam ABDOLLAHPOUR DEROEI – Islamic Republic Of Iran
6. ENKHTUYA KHURELBAATAR – Mongolia
7. Viktoriia MARCHUK – Ukraine
8. Leonor Angelica ESPINOZA CARRANZA – Peru
9. Zakia KHUDADADI – United States Minor Outlying Islands
10. Dzhetsun-Sholbana KARA-OOL – Wallis and Futuna Islands
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-52 Kg in September
1. Meryem Betul CAVDAR – Turkiye
2. JESSICA GARCIA QUIJANO – Mexico
3. MARIA EDUARDA MACHADO STUMPF – Brazil
4. CRISTHIANE NASCIMENTO – Brazil
5. Salma ALI ABD AL MONEEM HASSAN – Egypt
6. Anna PODDUBSKAIA – Wallis and Futuna Islands
7. Shrijana GHISING – Nepal
8. Royala FATALIYEVA – Azerbaijan
9. SURENJAV ULAMBAYAR – Mongolia
10. LIA CHACHIBAIA – Georgia
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-57 Kg in September
1. SILVANA MAYARA CARDOSO FERNANDES – Brazil
2. Gamze GURDAL – Turkiye
3. Kamilya DOSMALOVA – Kazakhstan
4. Yuliya LYPETSKA – Ukraine
5. Marija MICEV – Serbia
6. Roza EBRAHIMI – Islamic Republic Of Iran
7. TUGCE SEN – Turkiye
8. CAVERZAN SOPHIE – France
9. Palesha GOVERDHAN – Nepal
10. Raganina KARINA – Russian Federation
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-65 Kg in September
1. Beth MUNRO – Great Britain
2. Lisa GJESSING – Denmark
3. ANA CAROLINA SILVA DE MOURA – Brazil
4. SECIL ER – Turkiye
5. LEYLIANNE SAMARA RAMOS DOS SANTOS – Brazil
6. Djelika DIALLO – France
7. Rayehe SHAHAB – Islamic Republic Of Iran
8. SEYMA NUR TALU – Turkiye
9. Elena SAVINSKAYA – Wallis and Futuna Islands
10. LUTFIYE OZDAG – Turkiye
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W+65 Kg in September
1. Guljonoy NAIMOVA – Uzbekistan
2. Amy TRUESDALE – Great Britain
3. Dalia SANTIAGO MORENO – Spain
4. DEBORA MENEZES – Brazil
5. Jelena RASIC – Serbia
6. CAMILA MACEDO DOS SANTOS – Brazil
7. NISA NUR GURSES – Turkiye
8. Fernanda VARGAS FERNANDEZ – Mexico
9. Rajae AKERMACH – Morocco
10. Patricia KYEREMAA – Ghana
Para Taekwondo Ranking Old K41 Sub Category
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-61 Kg in September
1. Vladislav KRICHFALUSHIY -Russian Federation
2. Rinat IAKUPOV – Russian Federation
3. Abdennour EL FEDAYNI – Morocco
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-75 Kg in September
1. Valerii BAZIN – Russian Federation
2. Csaba SIMON – Hungary
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M+75 Kg in September
1. Malik MUKASHEV – Kazakhstan
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-58 Kg in September
1. Seyedeh Mahtab NABAVI – Islamic Republic Of Iran
Para Taekwondo Ranking K42 Sub Category
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-61 Kg in September
1. Evgenii ALIFIRENKO – Russian Federation
2. Saeid SADEGHIANPOUR – Islamic Republic Of Iran
3. Sanjarbek MUKHTOROV – Uzbekistan
4. Arzhan ARBAKOV – Russian Federation
5. NAIL KARADAS – Turkiye
6. Ali Sajad HAMRAZ -Afghanistan
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-75 Kg in September
1. Mehmet Serkan SERPICI – Turkiye
2. Askhat YUSSUPOV – Kazakhstan
3. Malik MUKASHEV – Kazakhstan
4. Zhumagali YERZHANOV – Kazakhstan
5. Lukman-Khakim ISTAMULOV – Russian Federation
6. Anton LIPOVIY – Ukraine
7. FARKHODJON MAMAZIYAEV – Uzbekistan
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M+75 Kg in September
1. SEFER TAYYIP HARPUTLU -Turkiye
2. Daniel ESPINOSA – United States of America
3. Mukhtar KUMAEV – Russian Federation
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W+58 Kg in September
1. Zaira IRAZIEVA – Russian Federation
2. Jelena TERZIC – Serbia
Para Taekwondo Ranking K43 Sub Category
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-61 Kg in September
1. Bopha KONG – France
2. Alejandro VIDAL ALVAREZ – Spain
3. Nyssanbek AIDARBEKOV – Kazakhstan
4. Davaachuluu TSERENDOLGOR – Mongolia
5. Sadig HAMIDOV – Azerbaijan
6. Thanwa KAENKHAM – Thailand
7. Moamen ABBAS MOHAMED ABBAS ZAYD – Egypt
8. Gersson MEJIA – Guatemala
9. Kadibagama OMAROV – Russian Federation
10. SONER ANAS – Turkiye
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-75 Kg in September
1. Nurlan DOMBAYEV – Kazakhstan
2. Anton SHVETS – Ukraine
3. Abdul Matin HOTAK – Afghanistan
4. YUSUF YUNACTI – Turkiye
5. Edwin Andres FRANCO – Puerto Rico
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M+75 Kg in September
1. MEHMET VASIF YAKUT – Turkiye
2. RACHID ISMAILI ALAOUI – Morocco
3. Edgar Jesus TORRES CANDIA – Mexico
4. Daniel ESPINOSA – United States of America
5. Mahdi BAHRAMIAZAR – Islamic Republic Of Iran
6. Yerlan YERSAIYN – Kazakhstan
7. YILONG ZHANG – People’s Republic Of China
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-49 Kg in September
1. Viktoriia MARCHUK – Ukraine
2. Danijela JOVANOVIC – Serbia
3. ARUNA – India
4. Dejana BACKO – Serbia
5. CUIYI YE – People’s Republic Of China
6. Arjaree OSOTSRI – Thailand
World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W+58 Kg in September
1. SEYMA NUR TALU – Turkiye
Para Taekwondo Ranking Old K44 Sub Category
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-61 Kg in September
1. Nathan TORQUATO – Brazil
2. Mohamed YASSER MOHAMED AHMED ELSAYED – Egypt
3. Mahmut BOZTEKE – Turkiye
4. Daniil SIDOROV – Russian Federation
5. Antonino BOSSOLO – Italy
6. Bolor-Erdene GANBAT – Mongolia
7. Imamaddin KHALILOV – Azerbaijan
8. Zukhriddin TOKHIROV – Uzbekistan
9. Parfait HAKIZIMANA – United States Minor Outlying Islands
10. Ali Can OZCAN – Turkiye
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M-75 Kg in September
1. Mahdi POURRAHNAMA – Islamic Republic Of Iran
2. Jeonghun JOO – Republic of Korea
3. Magomedzagir ISALDIBIROV – Russian Federation
4. Abulfaz ABUZARLI – Azerbaijan
5. Fatih CELIK – Turkiye
6. Ibrahima SEYE – Senegal
7. Felix SABATES – United States of America
8. Vladimir FEOFANOV – Russian Federation
9. Michael KACER – United States of America
10. Shinebayar BATBAYAR – Mongolia
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking M+75 Kg in September
1. Asghar AZIZIAGHDAM – Islamic Republic Of Iran
2. Ivan MIKULIC – Croatia
3. Evan MEDELL – United States of America
4. Zainutdin ATAEV – Wallis and Futuna Islands
5. Francisco PEDROZA – Mexico
6. Andres MOLINA – Costa Rica
7. Nyshan OMIRALI – Kazakhstan
8. MOHAMED ALSANOUSI ABIDAR – Libya
9. Elliott Andre LOONSTRA – Aruba
10. Bilal IAKHIAEV – Russian Federation
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-49 Kg in September
1. Meryem Betul CAVDAR – Turkiye
2. Anna PODDUBSKAIA – Wallis and Futuna Islands
3. Khwansuda PHUANGKITCHA – Thailand
4. Ziyodakhon ISAKOVA – Uzbekistan
5. ENKHTUYA KHURELBAATAR – Mongolia
6. ZAKIA KHUDADADI – Afghanistan
7. SOUKAINA ES-SABBAR – Morocco
8. Sophie GIMENO – United States of America
9. Fatemeh DODANGEH – Islamic Republic Of Iran
10. Kara FOURNIE – Australia
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W-58 Kg in September
1. Lisa GJESSING – Denmark
2. SILVANA MAYARA CARDOSO FERNANDES -Brazil
3. Yujie LI – People’s Republic Of China
4. Gamze GURDAL – Turkiye
5. Salma ALI ABD AL MONEEM HASSAN – Egypt
6. Marija MICEV – Serbia
7. Kamilya DOSMALOVA – Kazakhstan
8. Shauna-Kay HINES – Jamaica
9. CRISTHIANE NASCIMENTO – Brazil
10. SECIL ER – Turkiye
Top 10 World Pare Kyorugi Ranking W+58 Kg in September
1. Guljonoy NAIMOVA – Uzbekistan
2. DEBORA MENEZES – Brazil
3. Janine WATSON – Australia
4. Daniela Andrea MARTINEZ MARISCAL – Mexico
5. Rayehe SHAHAB – Islamic Republic Of Iran
6. Rajae AKERMACH – Morocco
7. Shoko OTA – Japan
8. Laura SCHIEL – France
9. Aynur MAMMADOVA – Azerbaijan
10. LEYLIANNE SAMARA RAMOS DOS SANTOS – Brazil
Conclusion
Overall, the WT has made great strides in developing and promoting Para Taekwondo, and with the inclusion of the sport in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the 2022 Asian Para Games, the 2023 Parpan American Games, and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Para-Taekwondo is sure to continue to grow and develop in the years to come. The World Para Taekwondo Ranking as of September 2023 is as follows:
It should be noted that, by sanctions imposed following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, taekwondo athletes from Russia and Belarus were not permitted to use the name, flag, or anthem of Russia or Belarus. They instead participated as “Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN)”, their medals were not included in the official medal table.
We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the World Para Taekwondo Ranking as of September 2023, and the top 10 ranking of Para Taekwondo athletes.
FAQ
What is the World Para Taekwondo Ranking?
The World Para Taekwondo Ranking is a list of the world’s best Para Taekwondo athletes, based on their performance in international competitions. The rankings are updated monthly by the WTF and are used to determine the seeding of athletes for major competitions such as the Paralympic Games.
Who is included in the World Para Taekwondo Ranking?
The World Para Taekwondo Ranking includes athletes from 82+1 countries, competing in 10 K44 weight categories–five men and five women. The rankings also include athletes from the Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).
How are athletes ranked in the World Para Taekwondo Ranking?
Athletes are ranked based on their performance in international competitions, such as the World Para-Taekwondo Grand Prix and the Asian Para-Taekwondo Open. The number of ranking points an athlete earns is determined by their performance in each competition.
Who is at the Top of the World Para Taekwondo Ranking in September 2023?
The men’s K44 under-75kg division, Iran’s Mahdi Pourrahnamaahmad is at the top of the rankings, having gone undefeated since the introduction of the world rankings in January 2015. In the men’s K44 over-75kg division, Iran’s Asghar Aziziaghdam is in first place, followed by Croatia’s Ivan Mikulic in second. In the women’s K44 under-58kg division, Russia’s Ayshat Ramazanova is in first place, followed by Denmark’s Lisa Gjessing in second.
When is the next World Para Taekwondo Ranking updated?
The World Para Taekwondo Ranking is updated monthly by the WTF. The next update is scheduled for October 2023.
How can I find out more about the World Para Taekwondo Ranking?
The full world rankings list can be found on the WTF’s website. The WTF also provides information about the ranking system and how athletes are ranked.
What other competitions are included in the World Para Taekwondo Ranking?
The World Para Taekwondo Ranking also includes results from the African Para-Taekwondo Championships, the G2 European Para-Taekwondo Championships, and the Paralympic Games.
Are there any other rankings for Para Taekwondo athletes?
Yes, the WTF also publishes a World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Ranking, which ranks athletes based on their performance in Poomsae competitions.
What are the benefits of being ranked in the World Para Taekwondo Ranking?
Being ranked in the World Para-Taekwondo Ranking can help athletes gain recognition and sponsorships, as well as provide them with an opportunity to compete at the highest level of the sport.
Are there any other resources available to learn more about Para Taekwondo?
Yes, the WTF provides a range of resources to help athletes and coaches learn more about Para Taekwondo, including a range of educational videos and training materials.
Ehatasamul Alom is an esteemed Taekwondo 3rd Dan Black Belt with over 12 years of experience in this dynamic martial art. Born in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Ehatasamul’s journey with Taekwondo began at the tender age of seven. His passion led him to compete at national and international levels, where he has bagged numerous awards and honors. He is also a member of the Taekwondo National Referee Panel.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science from the prestigious Rajshahi University, Ehatasamul has a deep understanding of the technical and scientific aspects of martial arts.
In 2022, Ehatasamul created the “TaekwondoKing.com” blog to share his knowledge and experiences. His articles focus on Taekwondo training techniques, competition strategies, and the art’s rich history and philosophy. He also writes about the importance of mental fortitude and discipline, key aspects of his teaching philosophy. His goal is to inspire both beginners and seasoned practitioners worldwide through insightful and engaging content.