#116: Rising Stars III: Taekwondo For All Ages And All Levels
We are honoured to invite you to the third edition of the RISING STARS Taekwondo Open, taking place on Saturday, 29th August, 2026 at Salini Resort, Salini (Malta).
This event will be conducted in accordance with the official World Taekwondo (WT) rules for Kyorugi, and will feature participation for persons of all ages and all levels.
We wish all participants the best of luck in their training and competition, and we look forward to a memorable event with athletes showcasing their skills and dedication.
To register, please click ‘let’s fight!’ and fill-in the form that pops up:
Sincerely,
Gianluca Barbara
+356 99806701
Participation/Entry Fees
Participation fee (athletes): €25 per person to be settled by the 15th August, 2026.
The registration deadline is 15th August, 2026. After that, there will be no further admissions.
Any changes made to the categories following a failed weigh-in will be subject to a €15 fee.
Schedule
Friday, 28th August, 2026
17:00 - 19:00 - Weigh-in for all athletes (venue: Iron Taekwondo League, Santa Venera).
Saturday, 29th August, 2026
09:00 - 13:00 - Competition for kids and children (venue: Salini Hotel, Salini).
13:00 - 14:00 - Break
14:00 - 18:00 - Competition for cadets, juniors & seniors (Salini Hotel, Salini).
Medals and certificates will be given in real time after the bouts.
Participant Eligibility
Requirements
All participants of the competition must be registered members of the Malta Taekwondo Association or any other association registered with WT.
Coaches
The minimum age for a coach is 18 years. Coaches must show WT identification at registration. A single coach is enough for the entire team since there will only be one court.
Competition Regulations (Kyorugi)
There will be the following divisions:
Kids (born in 2018 or later) - no headshots
Children (born in 2015, 2016 or 2017) - no headshots for B & C class
Cadets (born in 2012, 2013 or 2014)
Juniors (born in 2009, 2010 or 2011)
Seniors (born in 2008 or earlier)
Masters (born in 1991 or earlier)
Final year participants can play in two categories (for example, final year juniors can play in both juniors and seniors, should they wish).
All classes and weight categories are as follows:
Class A at Black tag and above
Class B at Blue tag and above
Class C at White belt and above
Divisions:
Children (applicable for both male & female categories):
-18kg, -20kg, -22kg, -24kg, -26kg, +26kg
Kids (applicable for both male & female categories):
-26kg, -29kg, -32kg, -36kg, -40kg, -44kg, -48kg, +48kg
Cadets (Male)
-33kg, -37kg, -41kg, -45kg, -49kg, -53kg, -57kg, -61kg -65kg, +65kg
Cadets (Female)
-29kg, -33kg, -37kg, -41kg, -44kg, -47kg, -51kg, -55kg, 59kg, +59kg
Juniors (Male)
-45kg, -48kg, -51kg, -55kg, -59kg, -63kg, -68kg, -73kg, -78kg, +78kg
Juniors (Female)
-42kg, -44kg, -46kg, -49kg, -52kg, -55kg, -59kg, -63kg, -68kg, +68kg
Seniors (Male)
-54kg, -58kg, -63kg, -68kg, -74kg, -80kg, -87kg, +87kg
Seniors (Female)
-46kg, -49kg, -53kg, -57kg, -62kg, -67kg, -73kg, +73kg
Masters (Male)
-54kg, -58kg, -63kg, -68kg, -74kg, -80kg, -87kg, +87kg
Masters (Female)
-46kg, -49kg, -53kg, -57kg, -62kg, -67kg, -73kg, +73kg
Rules
All kids and children will play 2 x rounds of 1:00, with an additional round in the case of a tie. There will be a 30-second break.
All cadets, juniors, seniors and masters will play 2 x rounds of 1:30, with an additional round in the case of a tie. There will be a 45-second break.
The point gap rule will apply for all categories.
Daedo GEN-3 Electronic Body Protector systems and headguards will be used for all athletes competing on all days. Athletes must provide their own Daedo socks.
Full World Taekwondo Competition Rules will be applied as per new rules adopted 1st June 2026. All Athletes will be provided with a Daedo Electronic body protector and e-headguards. All athletes should bring their own Daedo socks and other PPE/equipment.
Uniform and Equipment
All athletes must wear World Taekwondo recognised uniforms and protective equipment. A list of companies which supply WT recognised protective equipment can be found on the WT website: www.worldtaekwondo.org/wtpartners-wt/recognize.html
Mouthguards should be white or transparent and at least 4mm thick. It is mandatory to always wear a mouthguard.
All kid, children and cadet categories will use a visor.
Athletes with braces must wear a custom mouthguard issued by a dentist. Athletes with braces MUST consult their dentist for customized mouthguard(s) before participating in competition.
Any athlete with brace(s) must follow one of below options:
1. Double mouthguard for braces (which covers both upper and lower teeth and braces
2. Full upper mouth guard for brace AND partial coverage lower mouthguard for brace (which covers at least 6 teeth).
Jewellery And Piercings
All jewellery & piercings must be removed before athletes arrive at the inspection desk as this causes substantial delays to matches when athletes need to remove them at inspection. We ask all coaches to ensure their athletes remove items beforehand. Athletes may miss or forfeit their match if they cannot meet competition rules.
False Nails And Lashes
All acrylic nails & false lashes including extensions must be removed before athletes arrive at the inspection desk as this causes substantial delays to matches and the inspection area when athletes have to remove them. We ask all coaches to ensure their athletes remove items beforehand. Athletes may miss or forfeit their match if they cannot meet competition rules.
Inspection
All contestants will be required to proceed to the inspection desk before entering the competition area. At inspection Officials will check the uniform and protective equipment, presence of any jewellery, piercing, false nails and lashes. Any contestant wearing non-recognised or approved equipment, or other items not permitted in the field of play will not be permitted to compete.
Liability
All competitors are considered to be participating at their own risk. MTA assumes no responsibility for any damages, injuries or losses. By submitting a competitor or coach application you are confirming that you are fit and able to take part in this competition and do not suffer from any illness or condition that would prevent you from taking part.
Identification
All competitors and coaches must bring PHOTO identification to registration /weigh-in. Unfortunately, any competitor or coach who fails to produce photo ID for inspection may not be able take part in the competition. This is at the full discretion of the competition organisers.
Spectator Behaviour
This event is a family friendly event with a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse. Verbal abuse of any kind, towards event & venue staff , opposing teams and particularly children is never acceptable. Taekwondo values expect people to be respectful whilst enjoying participating in, and supporting at, events. The venue also has a zero-tolerance policy with regards to poor behaviour and people will be asked to leave the venue if found to be abusing others. Due to space restrictions spectators might be asked to adhere to special arrangements.
Photography And Video Recording
By registering to compete at the event, participants agree to have their image taken whilst in the venue by both MTA, the media and members of the public. In addition, images captured at the event may be shown on video, TV and online.
Drawing Of Lots
The drawing of lots for the competition will take place immediately after weigh-in closes. The drawsheets will be sent to coaches thereafter.
The drawsheets will also be published on the Malta Taekwondo Association Facebook page.
The competition will use a single-elimination system,
In the individual divisions, competitors will perform their poomsae simultaneously.
Adjustments can be made in the event of low attendance.
