Important Clarification – 2027 TNZ Cadet National Team Selection

Dear Athletes, Parents, Coaches and Clubs,

TNZ has received several questions regarding whether athletes who are currently Red Belts, but who intend to undertake their Black Belt/Poom grading before the end of 2026, may apply for selection to the 2027 TNZ National Cadet Team for the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Athens, Greece.

TNZ would therefore like to clarify the position and the requirements that will apply.

Red Belt athletes will be permitted to compete in the applicable Black Belt Cadet divisions at the 2026 TNZ National Championships and may apply for consideration for National Team selection, provided they otherwise meet the requirements contained within the TNZ Cadet Selection Policy.

All athletes wishing to be considered for selection, including Red Belt athletes, must submit their completed TNZ Cadet National Team Selection Application by 30 October 2026.

Athletes should, however, be aware that World Taekwondo has specific Kukkiwon and WT accreditation requirements that must ultimately be satisfied in order to compete at the World Championships.

TNZ recognises that some athletes may undertake their Black Belt/Poom grading later in 2026 and that the subsequent Kukkiwon certification and WT accreditation processes can take time. Rather than excluding these athletes from the selection process entirely, TNZ has decided to provide them with the opportunity to apply and be considered for selection.

Where an athlete is selected but does not yet hold the required Kukkiwon certification and/or WT accreditation, their selection will be conditional.

All required Kukkiwon certification and WT accreditation information (GAL) must be obtained and provided to TNZ no later than 31 January 2027.

If the required information has not been provided to TNZ by 31 January 2027, the athlete's conditional selection will lapse.

This deadline will be applied firmly and consistently. It is the responsibility of the athlete and their parent/legal guardian, together with their coach or club where appropriate, to ensure the relevant grading, Kukkiwon application and WT accreditation processes are undertaken sufficiently early. TNZ will not be responsible for following up individual athletes for outstanding certification or accreditation information.

TNZ intends to finalise the National Cadet Team by approximately mid-December 2026. Establishing the Team within this timeframe is important because the World Championships take place in Athens from 21–25 April 2027, and selected athletes and their families need sufficient certainty and preparation time.

This includes allowing families time to plan and source the significant funding required for the trip, enabling athletes to continue focused preparation through the Christmas/New Year period, arranging National Team uniforms and tracksuits, and allowing TNZ and families to organise World Taekwondo entries and international travel arrangements within appropriate timeframes. TNZ also intends, where possible, to take advantage of any applicable early-entry pricing and for athletes and families to confirm flights to Athens by approximately the end of February 2027.

TNZ considers this approach provides a reasonable opportunity for developing Cadet athletes who are progressing towards their Kukkiwon Black Belt/Poom certification, while also providing fairness and certainty to athletes who have already obtained the required qualifications and to the wider National Team.

Minor amendment to the Selection Policy

To ensure that this requirement is completely clear, TNZ has made a minor clarification to section 1(g) – Kukkiwon Certification of the official 2027 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships Selection Policy (updated policy attached).

The section now states:

g) Kukkiwon Certification

Athletes must hold, or be able to obtain, Kukkiwon Black Belt certification/rank as required by World Taekwondo to participate in the Event.

-Where an athlete does not hold the required Kukkiwon certification and/or WT accreditation at the time of selection, any selection will be conditional upon the athlete obtaining and providing TNZ with evidence of all required certification and accreditation no later than 31 January 2027. If the required evidence is not provided to TNZ by this date, the athlete's conditional selection will lapse. It is the responsibility of the athlete and their parent/legal guardian to ensure that the required information is provided to TNZ by the deadline.

This amendment does not change the overall selection pathway or selection standards. It simply clarifies the timeframe within which an athlete who does not yet hold the required certification or accreditation must obtain and provide it to TNZ.

In summary, Red Belt athletes may apply for selection and compete in the applicable Black Belt Cadet division at the TNZ National Championships, but they do so knowing that any subsequent selection remains conditional until all required Kukkiwon and WT accreditation requirements have been satisfied. The final deadline for providing this evidence to TNZ is 31 January 2027.

We encourage athletes, parents and coaches who are affected by this requirement to begin the relevant grading and certification processes as early as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Kind regards,
Taekwondo New Zealand