Section 8: Safety Considerations
8.1 Mandatory Protective Equipment
The full complement of WT-approved electronic and traditional protective equipment (trunk protector, head protector, forearm guards, shin guards, groin guard, mouthguard, electronic gloves, electronic socks, and female chest protector where applicable) must be worn and inspected before every match. Equipment that is damaged, improperly fitted, or non-compliant is replaced before the match begins. The referee conducts a pre-match equipment check at the entrance to the competition area.
8.2 Medical Personnel and Facilities
Qualified medical personnel (at minimum one competition doctor) must be present at all WT-sanctioned events and positioned with direct access to the competition area. A fully equipped medical room with first aid supplies, stretcher, and emergency transport arrangements is mandatory. Medical staff may enter the competition area only when called by the referee.
8.3 Injury and Knockout Protocols
When a competitor is injured, the referee stops the match and allows a 1-minute medical timeout for assessment and treatment. Each competitor is allowed one medical timeout per match. If the competitor cannot continue after the medical timeout, the outcome depends on whether the injury was caused by a valid technique (opponent wins by RSC) or a prohibited action (injured competitor wins by disqualification of the opponent, or the match result is determined by score at the time of stoppage).
8.4 Concussion and Knockout Suspension
A competitor who loses by knockout (KO) or referee stop contest (RSC) due to head contact must undergo a mandatory medical examination immediately after the match. The athlete is subject to a minimum 30-day competition suspension and must receive written medical clearance before returning to competition. If a competitor suffers two KO/RSC losses due to head contact within a 90-day period, the suspension extends to 90 days. WT follows World Medical Association and IOC concussion management guidelines.
8.5 Blood and Open Wound Protocol
If a competitor sustains a cut or nosebleed, the referee stops the match for medical treatment. Minor bleeding may be controlled and the match resumed. If bleeding cannot be controlled within the medical timeout period, the referee may stop the contest. Blood on the mat, dobok, or equipment must be cleaned before the match resumes.
8.6 Age and Development Safeguards
WT establishes separate competition rules for cadets (12–14 years), juniors (15–17 years), and seniors (17+ years). Cadet and junior competitions use modified rules including lower PSS force thresholds, prohibition of certain techniques (e.g., spinning kicks to the head in some cadet categories), and stricter referee intervention standards. These modifications prioritize athlete safety and age-appropriate competition intensity.
8.7 Anti-Doping
All WT-sanctioned competitions operate under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. Competitors are subject to in-competition and out-of-competition testing. Athletes must maintain accurate whereabouts information through WADA's Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS). Violations result in sanctions ranging from warnings to multi-year bans, with results from the relevant competition period annulled. WT cooperates with National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for adjudication of doping cases.
8.8 Environmental and Mat Safety
Competition mats must be inspected before each session for damage, gaps between sections, moisture, or uneven surfaces that could cause slipping or tripping injuries. The venue temperature should be maintained between 20°C and 25°C (68°F to 77°F) to prevent heat-related illness and ensure optimal athletic performance. Adequate hydration stations must be accessible to competitors in the athlete preparation area. In the event of a power failure affecting the PSS or scoreboard, the match is suspended until systems are restored; round time is paused and scores are preserved by the backup system.