Gibson's 9th Annual TaeKwonDo Tournament
Join us for Jungs Gibson Branch Schools 9th Annual Tournament.
Tournament Directors: Master Forrest Gibson and Mrs. MK Gibson
Honored Tournament Officials: Grand Master Woo Jin Jung
Tournament Officials: Grand Master Stacey Bendickson, Grand Master Robert McDowell, Mr. Chris Starrett
Tournament Rules
General:
Each contestant will compete in a clean uniform. Jewelry of any kind is not to be worn. All competitors and instructors are fully expected to portray good sportsmanship by having a positive attitude, giving their best effort, not arguing or challenging officials, and simply displaying the 5 tenets of TaeKwonDo.
Judging:
All competitions will be run and judged by blackbelts from all schools in attendance, blackbelts who sign up to judge at registration will NOT be charged a spectator fee.
Forms:
A panel of five judges will judge forms. Each judge may award a maximum of ten points. The highest and lowest scores will be disregarded, and the final score will be the total of the remaining points. If there is a tie, the highest scores will be added back in to break said tie.
Breaking:
Scored with the same point system as the forms, scores should be based on whether or not the break is successful (how many attempts where applicable), difficulty, and originality of the breaking technique used. If a device is being used it must be brought to the judges and offered to all other competitors before the start of the competition.
White through Orange → One Board
Green through Blue → Two Boards
Brown → Three Boards
Black → Four Boards
No head breaks will be permitted, fist breaks are allowed for competitors 17 years and older OR with approval from their parent/instructor and one tournament official.
Sparring:
Protection - Male competitors must wear groin protection. Foot/Shin and mouth guards are required for all competitors who wish to spar, and hand guards are required for Black belts. Headgear is not required but is welcomed for anyone who wishes to wear it.
How a winner is determined – In a free sparring competition, the contestant who attains a 3-point advantage or is ahead on points at the end of two minutes is the winner. These points are awarded by the decision of the four corner judges and center referee. One point is awarded for a hand or foot technique to a legal mid-section target. One point is awarded for a foot technique to a legal high target.
Legal and Illegal Target Zones – The only legal areas are high-section (from neck up) for foot techniques and mid-section (including both sides of the torso, for hand and foot techniques. Techniques are to be controlled to 1” or less. Light uniform contact indicates this, Illegal target areas are the whole of the spinal column (neck, back of head, backbone), groin, knees, throat, and eyes.
Attacking weapons – The only attacking tools to be used are the front fist, ball of the foot, heel, knife foot, and instep of the foot.
Illegal Techniques – Biting, scratching, holding, or clawing, intentionally avoiding close contact, and attacking illegal targets are prohibited. Blind techniques and sweeping techniques are prohibited. Hand techniques to the head or face are prohibited.
Warnings, Point Loss & Disqualifications – Warnings will be issued for rule infractions. Two warnings constitute minus one point. Quarreling with any judge, attempting to end the match, injuring of opponent, or infliction bruising, swelling, cut, or bleeding will result in disqualification. The referee may disqualify any contestant at any time.
Grand Championship – This match shall consist of two, two-minute rounds with a one-minute rest between rounds.
Weapons: No sharp weapons allowed, all weapons will need to be checked in on entry at a designated spot.
Directions–
Tournament Directors: Master Forrest Gibson and Mrs. MK Gibson
Honored Tournament Officials: Grand Master Woo Jin Jung
Tournament Officials: Grand Master Stacey Bendickson, Grand Master Robert McDowell, Mr. Chris Starrett
Tournament Rules
General:
Each contestant will compete in a clean uniform. Jewelry of any kind is not to be worn. All competitors and instructors are fully expected to portray good sportsmanship by having a positive attitude, giving their best effort, not arguing or challenging officials, and simply displaying the 5 tenets of TaeKwonDo.
Judging:
All competitions will be run and judged by blackbelts from all schools in attendance, blackbelts who sign up to judge at registration will NOT be charged a spectator fee.
Forms:
A panel of five judges will judge forms. Each judge may award a maximum of ten points. The highest and lowest scores will be disregarded, and the final score will be the total of the remaining points. If there is a tie, the highest scores will be added back in to break said tie.
Breaking:
Scored with the same point system as the forms, scores should be based on whether or not the break is successful (how many attempts where applicable), difficulty, and originality of the breaking technique used. If a device is being used it must be brought to the judges and offered to all other competitors before the start of the competition.
White through Orange → One Board
Green through Blue → Two Boards
Brown → Three Boards
Black → Four Boards
No head breaks will be permitted, fist breaks are allowed for competitors 17 years and older OR with approval from their parent/instructor and one tournament official.
Sparring:
Protection - Male competitors must wear groin protection. Foot/Shin and mouth guards are required for all competitors who wish to spar, and hand guards are required for Black belts. Headgear is not required but is welcomed for anyone who wishes to wear it.
How a winner is determined – In a free sparring competition, the contestant who attains a 3-point advantage or is ahead on points at the end of two minutes is the winner. These points are awarded by the decision of the four corner judges and center referee. One point is awarded for a hand or foot technique to a legal mid-section target. One point is awarded for a foot technique to a legal high target.
Legal and Illegal Target Zones – The only legal areas are high-section (from neck up) for foot techniques and mid-section (including both sides of the torso, for hand and foot techniques. Techniques are to be controlled to 1” or less. Light uniform contact indicates this, Illegal target areas are the whole of the spinal column (neck, back of head, backbone), groin, knees, throat, and eyes.
Attacking weapons – The only attacking tools to be used are the front fist, ball of the foot, heel, knife foot, and instep of the foot.
Illegal Techniques – Biting, scratching, holding, or clawing, intentionally avoiding close contact, and attacking illegal targets are prohibited. Blind techniques and sweeping techniques are prohibited. Hand techniques to the head or face are prohibited.
Warnings, Point Loss & Disqualifications – Warnings will be issued for rule infractions. Two warnings constitute minus one point. Quarreling with any judge, attempting to end the match, injuring of opponent, or infliction bruising, swelling, cut, or bleeding will result in disqualification. The referee may disqualify any contestant at any time.
Grand Championship – This match shall consist of two, two-minute rounds with a one-minute rest between rounds.
Weapons: No sharp weapons allowed, all weapons will need to be checked in on entry at a designated spot.
Directions–
- Take Exit 182 for Grinnell and head north on IA-146 (also known as West Street).
- Continue north on IA-146/West Street for about 3 miles until you reach 10th Ave.
- Turn right (east) on 10th Avenue and go a short distance to Park Street.
- Turn left (north) on Park Street, and you’ll see Grinnell High School on your left.
Location
Grinnell High School -
Main Gym
1333 Sunset St,
Grinnell, IA 50112
Main Gym
1333 Sunset St,
Grinnell, IA 50112
Date & Time
March 14, 2026
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM