Competition
Taekwondo Weight Classes: Limits by Age and Gender
Sparring is matched by body weight and age. This guide lists every class at a full open tournament, from 6-year-olds to seniors, plus the four Olympic classes for each gender.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 29, 2026Taekwondo sparring uses weight classes so fighters meet opponents of similar size. A “-58” class means up to 58 kg (128 lb) and a “+87” class means over 87 kg (192 lb). The Olympic program has 4 classes for men (58, 68, 80 and over 80 kg) and 4 for women (49, 57, 67 and over 67 kg). A full open tournament such as the Almere Open 2026 splits fighters into five age divisions with 8 to 10 classes each.
| Olympic men | -58, -68, -80, +80 kg |
|---|---|
| Olympic women | -49, -57, -67, +67 kg |
| Age divisions at a full open | Pupils 6-8, Aspirants 9-11, Cadets 12-14, Juniors 15-17, Seniors 17+ |
| Classes per division | 8 to 10 per gender |
| Example event | Almere Open 2026, June 21 |
Age divisions
Tournaments group fighters by age first, then by weight. The Almere Open 2026 outline uses five divisions. A 17-year-old chooses between Juniors and Seniors.
| Division | Ages | Classes | Lightest class | Heaviest class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils | 6 to 8 | 8, same list for boys and girls | -21 kg | +44 kg |
| Aspirants | 9 to 11 | 8, same list for boys and girls | -28 kg | +57 kg |
| Cadets | 12 to 14 | 10 per gender | -33 kg (boys), -29 kg (girls) | +65 kg (boys), +59 kg (girls) |
| Juniors | 15 to 17 | 10 per gender | -45 kg (boys), -42 kg (girls) | +78 kg (boys), +68 kg (girls) |
| Seniors | 17 and over | 8 per gender | -54 kg (men), -46 kg (women) | +87 kg (men), +73 kg (women) |
Olympic weight classes
The Olympic program is much shorter. It has four classes for each gender, so a fighter who would sit mid-table in an open tournament competes in a wider band.
| Men | Limit | Women | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Up to 58 kg (128 lb) | Class 1 | Up to 49 kg (108 lb) |
| Class 2 | Up to 68 kg (150 lb) | Class 2 | Up to 57 kg (126 lb) |
| Class 3 | Up to 80 kg (176 lb) | Class 3 | Up to 67 kg (148 lb) |
| Class 4 | Over 80 kg (over 176 lb) | Class 4 | Over 67 kg (over 148 lb) |
The World Taekwondo Grand Prix events use the same eight categories. See our Grand Prix guide for how fighters qualify.
Pupils and Aspirants (ages 6 to 11)
Children under 12 fight in two divisions, and boys and girls share one weight list in each.
| Class | Pupils (6 to 8) | Aspirants (9 to 11) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -21 kg (46 lb) | -28 kg (62 lb) |
| 2 | -24 kg (53 lb) | -32 kg (71 lb) |
| 3 | -27 kg (60 lb) | -36 kg (79 lb) |
| 4 | -30 kg (66 lb) | -40 kg (88 lb) |
| 5 | -34 kg (75 lb) | -45 kg (99 lb) |
| 6 | -39 kg (86 lb) | -51 kg (112 lb) |
| 7 | -44 kg (97 lb) | -57 kg (126 lb) |
| 8 | +44 kg (97 lb) | +57 kg (126 lb) |
The Pupils list climbs in steps of 3 kg at the light end and 5 kg at the heavy end. Aspirants run from -28 kg to over 57 kg (126 lb). Parents choosing a first event can read our kids guide for what a first tournament is like.
Cadets and Juniors (ages 12 to 17)
From age 12 the lists split by gender and grow to 10 classes each.
Cadets, ages 12 to 14
| Class | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -33 kg (73 lb) | -29 kg (64 lb) |
| 2 | -37 kg (82 lb) | -33 kg (73 lb) |
| 3 | -41 kg (90 lb) | -37 kg (82 lb) |
| 4 | -45 kg (99 lb) | -41 kg (90 lb) |
| 5 | -49 kg (108 lb) | -44 kg (97 lb) |
| 6 | -53 kg (117 lb) | -47 kg (104 lb) |
| 7 | -57 kg (126 lb) | -51 kg (112 lb) |
| 8 | -61 kg (134 lb) | -55 kg (121 lb) |
| 9 | -65 kg (143 lb) | -59 kg (130 lb) |
| 10 | +65 kg (143 lb) | +59 kg (130 lb) |
Juniors, ages 15 to 17
| Class | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -45 kg (99 lb) | -42 kg (93 lb) |
| 2 | -48 kg (106 lb) | -44 kg (97 lb) |
| 3 | -51 kg (112 lb) | -46 kg (101 lb) |
| 4 | -55 kg (121 lb) | -49 kg (108 lb) |
| 5 | -59 kg (130 lb) | -52 kg (115 lb) |
| 6 | -63 kg (139 lb) | -55 kg (121 lb) |
| 7 | -68 kg (150 lb) | -59 kg (130 lb) |
| 8 | -73 kg (161 lb) | -63 kg (139 lb) |
| 9 | -78 kg (172 lb) | -68 kg (150 lb) |
| 10 | +78 kg (172 lb) | +68 kg (150 lb) |
Seniors (17 and over)
| Class | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -54 kg (119 lb) | -46 kg (101 lb) |
| 2 | -58 kg (128 lb) | -49 kg (108 lb) |
| 3 | -63 kg (139 lb) | -53 kg (117 lb) |
| 4 | -68 kg (150 lb) | -57 kg (126 lb) |
| 5 | -74 kg (163 lb) | -62 kg (137 lb) |
| 6 | -80 kg (176 lb) | -67 kg (148 lb) |
| 7 | -87 kg (192 lb) | -73 kg (161 lb) |
| 8 | +87 kg (192 lb) | +73 kg (161 lb) |
The senior list has 8 classes per gender, which is two for each Olympic class. The Olympic -58 kg men’s class covers the same ground as the open list’s -54 kg and -58 kg classes. The women’s Olympic -49 kg class covers -46 kg and -49 kg.
How to read a class
A minus sign means up to and including that weight. A plus sign marks the heaviest class and means anything over the stated limit. Class limits are not evenly spaced. On the senior men’s list the gaps grow from 4 kg (54 to 58) to 7 kg (80 to 87). On the senior women’s list they grow from 3 kg to 6 kg. On the Pupils list the first three gaps are 3 kg each and the last two are 5 kg.
One worked example: a 150 lb man weighs 68.0 kg. On the Almere senior list he is just above the -68 kg limit, so he enters -74 kg. On the Olympic list the same man would enter the second class, up to 80 kg, which starts above 68 kg.
Choosing your class
Pick the lowest limit that is at or above your weight on the day of the event. Fighters who sit just above a limit usually have a choice: cut down to the lighter class or compete in the heavier one against bigger opponents. Ask your coach before changing anything about food or fluids, especially for children.
Every event publishes its own list in its outline, and lists differ between events, so read yours before you register. For gear, see our sparring gear guide, and for the match rules see competition rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many weight classes are there in Olympic taekwondo?
There are 8, four for men and four for women. Men compete at up to 58 kg, up to 68 kg, up to 80 kg and over 80 kg. Women compete at up to 49 kg, up to 57 kg, up to 67 kg and over 67 kg.
What does -58 kg mean in taekwondo?
It means up to 58 kg, which is about 128 lb. A plus sign, as in +80 kg, marks the heaviest class and means over that weight.
What is the lightest taekwondo weight class?
At the Almere Open 2026 the lightest class is the Pupils class of up to 21 kg (46 lb) for ages 6 to 8. For adults, the lightest senior class is -46 kg for women and -54 kg for men. The lightest Olympic class is women’s up to 49 kg.
How many weight classes does a full open tournament have?
Pupils and Aspirants have 8 classes each. Cadets and Juniors have 10 per gender. Seniors have 8 per gender. That adds up to 72 weight limits across the lists at the Almere Open 2026.
Do children compete by weight or by age?
Both. Fighters are placed in an age division first, then in a weight class inside it. Pupils (6 to 8) and Aspirants (9 to 11) use one weight list for boys and girls.
Can a 17-year-old compete as a junior or a senior?
At the Almere Open 2026, yes. A 17-year-old chooses one division, Juniors or Seniors. Check your event’s outline, because age rules are set per event.
Which class would a 150 lb man fight in?
150 lb is 68.0 kg. On the Almere senior list that is the -74 kg class, because it sits just over the 68 kg limit. On the Olympic list it is the second class, up to 80 kg.
Are US tournament weight classes the same as these?
Not always. Each event publishes its own list in its outline. The Almere Open is one example of a full open, and lists at other events can differ, so check the outline before you register.
Sources
- Outline, Taekwondo Almere Open 2026 (Kyurogi, English)
- World Taekwondo: competition rules
- Rome set to stage opening World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series 2026