CROATIA OPEN POOMSAE 2026 TO BRING INTERNATIONAL ELITE TO ZAGREB FOR WORLD TAEKWONDO G1 EVENT

Zagreb, Croatia. — The 12th Croatia Open Poomsae 2026 is set to deliver another high-level international edition on 17 October 2026, carrying WT G1 status and offering athletes an important opportunity to earn points in the World Poomsae Ranking.

The competition will be organised by the Croatian Taekwondo Federation, with Taekwondo Club Zapresic serving as host, and will take place at the Sports Hall Sutinska Vrela in Zagreb. The Organising Committee is led by Prof. Dr. Dragan Primorac, President of the Croatian Taekwondo Federation, alongside Jelena Marot as manager and Viktor Romancuk as Poomsae Sport Coordinator.

The tournament reaches its 12th edition this year, further consolidating its place among the established Poomsae events on the European calendar. The organisers have also emphasised their aim of offering visiting delegations not only a strong sporting experience, but also a memorable stay in Croatia.

A COMPETITION FOR ALL GENERATIONS

The sporting programme will feature individual divisions from Children through to Over 65, as well as pair and team competitions. The categories include Cadets, Juniors, U30, U40, U50, U60, U65 and O65, depending on the discipline.

Freestyle Poomsae will also play a major role in the event, with U17 and O17 individual divisions, mixed pairs and mixed teams. In the mixed team category, five athletes may compete, with the option of one substitute, adding an extra technical and visual dimension to the programme.

COMPETITION SYSTEM AND WORLD RANKING

Recognised Poomsae divisions will be contested under a single-elimination system. In individual categories, athletes will perform two randomly selected Poomsae, while pairs and teams will also perform two designated forms in each match.

Freestyle will use a cut-off system with one round only, together with specific rules governing acrobatic combinations, consecutive kicking sequences and technical execution. The regulations also establish clear limits for acrobatic elements and scoring deductions when those limits are exceeded.

Athletes will be seeded according to their position in the WT World Poomsae Ranking, while competitors without ranking points will be placed into the draw randomly.

FREESTYLE WITH HIGH-IMPACT ELEMENTS

One of the most eye-catching sections of the regulations concerns the Mixed Team Freestyle event, where compulsory board-breaking elements are included in three technical areas: spinning kicks, consecutive Kyorugi-style kicks and acrobatic kicking techniques. A minimum of five boards must be broken during the performance.

This format is expected to add one of the most spectacular visual components to the tournament and reflects the increasingly athletic and dynamic nature of international Freestyle Poomsae.

OFFICIAL SCHEDULE

Activities will begin on Friday, 16 October, with official registration for all delegations from 16:00 to 19:00. Registration is mandatory for all teams.

On Saturday 17 October, the Head of Team and Referee Meeting is scheduled for 08:30, with competition beginning at 09:00. The event will use Martial.Events for OVR and ReStrike for IVR.

INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The tournament will be conducted under the rules and regulations of World Taekwondo, World Taekwondo Europe and the Croatian Taekwondo Federation. A valid WT Global Athlete Licence is mandatory for competitors in WT categories, while coaches must hold WT Poomsae Level 1 Coach Certification and a valid 2026 WT Global Official Licence.

Competitors must wear a World Taekwondo-recognised uniform and be prepared to provide valid identification to confirm age and identity during registration.

ENTRIES OPEN UNTIL 6 OCTOBER

Entries are being processed through Simply Compete and will remain open until 23:59 CET on 6 October 2026.

The regular entry fee is €180 for individual, pair and team entries until 6 October. From 7 October onwards, or for cash payment at registration, the fee rises to €200.

With a broad competition structure, G1 ranking status, international participation and a programme combining recognised and Freestyle Poomsae, the Croatia Open Poomsae 2026 is shaping up to be one of the notable European events of the closing stages of the season.

Zagreb will once again become a meeting point for athletes, coaches and delegations seeking results, international experience and valuable world ranking points in a discipline that continues to strengthen its presence within the World Taekwondo competitive landscape.

Carlos Hernández