2 NEW TOURNAMENT RULE UPDATES / 1 MAJOR REMINDER EFFECTIVE: SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 AT THE 2008 SONGAHM TAEKWONDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

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1 2 NEW TOURNAMENT RULE UPDATES / 1 MAJOR REMINDER EFFECTIVE: SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 AT THE 2008 SONGAHM TAEKWONDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS The Tournament year will be starting in just a couple ofmonths. We have some important updates to tell you about that should be ofmajor interest to your and your students. We also have a major reminder that you need to stay on top of and keep your students prepared for. First the two rule updates: 1. THE ATA-XTREME FORMS AND WEAPONS DIVISIONS ARE BEING ADJUSTED BY AGE (MORE DIVISIONS / SMALLER AGE GROUPS) Previous Divisions Boys 11 & Under Boys 12 to 16 Girls 11 & Under Girls 12 to 16 Men 17 to 35 Men 36 & Over Women 17 to 35 Women 36 & Over New Divisions Boys 8 & Under Boys 9 to 12 Boys 13 to 16 Girls 8 & Under Girls 9 to 12 Girls 13 to 16 Men 17 to 29 Men 30 to 45 Men 46 & Over Women 17 to 29 Women 30 to 45 Women 46 & Over Important Notes: Divisions at Nationals and Worlds will reflect these changes These divisions will apply to color belts and black belts Regional events may still need to combine divisions in some fashion to provide competition opportunities State and World Champion titles will be awarded based on these changes 2~ 6 TH & 7 TH DEGREES WILL NOW BE ABLE TO EARN WORLD CHAMPION TITLES Important Notes: The divisions will remain as they have been Men & Women 6 th Degrees 43 & Under Men & Women 7 th Degrees 43 & Under Men & Women 6 th Degrees 44 & Over Men & Women i h Degrees 44 & Over Titles will be available in Traditional Form, Traditional Weapons, ATA-Xtreme Form, and ATA Xtreme Weapons per division

2 Men & Women will remain combined for everything but sparring Men will have a sparring title available per age group Women will have a sparring title available per age group Points can only be accumulated at Worlds and Nationals (only the best National finish will count if a competitor places at both) Only the top four will be eligible to compete for the title at World Championships (this will be reviewed each tournament year taking into consideration growth in the divisions) MAJOR REMINDER As I am sure you remember, a complete list ofuniform, safety gear, and weaponsrequirements for ATA sanctioned tournaments was sent out in April Most ofthe requirements took effect starting at the 2007 Songahm Taekwondo World Championships while just a couple ofpoints (the requirements on belts for black belts and the color ofchest protectors) were given a longer grace period. ALL requirements go into effect starting at the 2008 Songahm Taekwondo World Championships. Another copy ofthe original list is included in this mail out. I know you are aware that there hasn't been anything official written about the repercussions for a competitor that has an incorrect uniform, incorrect safety gear, or incorrect weapons. We have always tried to allow the competitor to correct the situation whenever possible at an event in order to afford the best possible experience for their time, effort, and money. The proper preparation of all competitors and the following ofrules are directly in the hands oftheir Instructor. We need all ofyou to become fully informed ofthis information so that your students (your customers), are not caught offguard at an event and asked to switch safety gear, or use a different weapon, etc. The requirements have been put into place by Grand Master and the Masters Council. There shouldn't have to be penalties put into place to address this. We need your full cooperation on this so that your students, your student's parents, the other competitors, the judges, the regional tournament staff, the national tournament staff, and you are not put into an awkward and possible embarrassing situation. Ifyou have any questions on any ofthis information please contact me at the ATA International Headquarters. I will be happy to help you in any way I can. I look forward to an exciting tournament season..maszay Kohl nternational Chairman oftournaments American Taekwondo Association

3 FOR SCHOOL/CLUB OWNERS & CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS All SchooVClub Owners and Certified Instructors ARE REQUIRED to wear either the Certified Instructor Dress Suit ("Dress Blues") or the Traditional Dobok (see below) at all ATA sanctioned tournaments and testings. Attending the event in "street clothes" or "workout wear" is NOT PERMITTED. TRADITIONAL DOBOK This uniform IS REQUIRED to be worn by all students and conducting personnel at ATA hosted testings. ATA hosted testings include all testings not held by an individual school owner. It IS REQUIRED to be worn by all competitors during traditional forms and sparring competition and by all judges fulfilling any traditional forms or sparring tournament judging assignments at ATA sanctioned tournaments. It MAY also be worn by competitors involved in ATA-Xtreme Forms, ATA-Xtreme Weapons, or in Team Synchronized Form competition (as long as all members ofthe team are wearing the same uniform). It MUST have the following: The entire uniform itselfmust be white A cross-over style top Official ATA patch Lettering on the back ofuniform top per ATA standards and guidelines printed or sewn All State & World Champion uniforms must be done by World Martial Arts to insure validity If4 th Degree or higher, a 1" black stripe on each pant leg Rank appropriate belt For color belts, ONLY the following colors are permitted White, orange, yellow,camo, green, purple, blue, brown, red, red/black, black "Knowledge Stripes" MUST be black and are limited to a maximum of3 stripes Color belts MAY include either a black or gold stripe the length ofthe belt 1R Black Belts MAY wear full black belts that do not have embroidery NO other belt colors, combinations, or stripe colors are allowed For black belts Any and all embroidery MUST be gold If a rank indicator is used, it MUST be the bar or star patch from World Martial Arts Students name and rank MUST both be on the same belt end (left end when worn) Black Belts MUST NOT have "Knowledge Stripes" It MAY include the following: School patch ATA Masters should NOT wear a school patch at events Karate Kid or Tiny Tiger Victory patch School patch IS permitted on top ofvictory patch ifit is round and the same size Official ATA Program patches Black Belt Club, Master Club, and Leadership Club Other patches allowed S.W.A.T., D.E.L.T.A., A-Team, President's Council on Physical Fitness Demo Team, Competition Team Please use discretion in the amount ofpatches allowed on a uniform Leadership collar stripes (ONLY when registered with ATA International Headquarters) RedlWhite/Blue, Red, Red/Black, Black/Red/Black for all belt ranks

4 Black (1" or 1 12") for black belts ONLY (ONLY upon receipt of official letter from ATA International Headquarters) Blue stars (round patches) used to measure accomplishments set within school or club Can be used with or without collar stripe Black trim around bottom ofuniform top for black belts not in a Leadership Program This NOT required State or World Champion patches ifapplicable (only to be applied by World Martial Arts) Undershirts ARE permitted for any member (male or female) but MUST be plain white This is NOT a requirement for females, although a plain white garment is encouraged It CANNOT have the following: A pull-over V-neck top Manufacturer tags (all tags must be removed from uniform top, uniform bottom, and belt) Stripes, patches, pockets, or anything else not listed above XTREME UNIFORM This uniform MAY be worn by ALL competitors during ATA-Xtreme forms and ATA-Xtreme weapons competition at ATA sanctioned tournaments. Black belts MAY wear this uniform during traditional weapons competition at world and national events ONLY (these divisions are held at separate times from the other traditional divisions so changing back and forth between uniforms is not an issue at these events). It MAY be worn by any judges fulfilling any ATA-Xtreme forms or ATA-Xtreme weapons tournament judging assignments at ATA sanctioned tournaments. It MAY also be worn by competitors involved in a Team Synchronized Form competition as long as all members ofthe team are wearing the same uniform. It MUST be one ofthe following and include: "ATA-Xtreme" Uniform (top and pants) available through World Martial Arts "XRl" Uniform (top and pants) available through World Martial Arts or Century "XR2" Uniform (top and pants) available through World Martial Arts or Century The ATA logo patch MUST be displayed on the back ofthe uniform top NO other logos or symbols can be added or changed Color belts MUST wear their traditional rank belt No other style is permitted regardless ofifthey are produced by Century or the "XMA" program unless written notification from the Grand Master, the Master's Council, and the ATA Tournament Department is distributed. It MAY include the following: Black Belts MAY wear either their traditional rank belt or the belt that comes with the uniform Tang Bagee ("hakama") pants MAY ONLY be worn when competing with the Gum Do Undershirts MAY be worn by any competitor MUST be either black or white and MAY have long, short, or no sleeves ifworn State and World Champion Xtreme uniforms are available ONLY through World Martial Arts ONLY Xtreme division title patches can be worn on this uniform It CANNOT have the following:

5 The official ATA patch (ATA logo is on the back) ANY other patches including school patches, program patches, team patches, etc. MISe. JEWELRY: SHOES: NO jewelry is allowed during testing or competition while in traditional or Xtreme uniforms The only exception is wedding rings (those with elevated stones should be turned inward) Shoes worn while in traditional or Xtreme uniforms MUST be predominately white sport shoes Other colors, sandals, "flip-flops", "crocs", etc. are NOT allowed SAFETYGEAR Gear that IS required: Vinyl or leather covered foam hand pads (all finger joints must be covered when holding a fist) Vinyl or leather covered foam foot pads (back ofheel & all toes must be covered) Vinyl or leather covered martial arts style foam head gear (full coverage) Martial arts style chest protector (must cover all ribs and sternum) Attached face shield which MUST be one ofthese three models: Universal Face Shield, Dyna Rival Face Shield, or ProForce Lightning Clear Face Shield Mouthpiece (even while wearing the mandatory face shield) Groin protector for males (NO age exceptions / MUST be worn under uniform pants) All gear MUST be in good repair Tom, taped, or worn out gear will NOT be allowed Color of gear Color belts MUST wear red hands, boots, and head gear unless they are in: Black Belt Club, Master Club, or Leadership Program Black gear MAY then be worn (appropriate program patch is required) Black gear MUST have the ATA logo on it Chest protectors MUST be either black or grey and worn over the uniform top Black belts MUST wear black hands, boots, and head gear Black gear MUST have the ATA logo on it Chest protectors MUST be either black or grey and worn over the uniform top WEAPONS TRADITIONAL COMPETITION Ifcompeting in weapons, color belts MUST compete with one ofthe following: Single or Double Bahng Mahng Ee Ifcompetitor is under 60" tall, they MAY use either 21" or 25" weapon Ifcompetitor is 60" or over, they MUST use 25" weapon Single or Double Ssahng Jeol Bong Ifcompetitor is under 60" tall, they MAY use either 9" or 12" weapon

6 Ifcompetitor is 60" or over, they MUST use 12" weapon Jahng Bong Length ofweapon MUST be at least shoulder height SsahngNat Gum Do Oh Sung Do All weapons used in competition MUST be the "Protech" version or "Protech" approved Jahng Bong is the one exception - any style is allowed, but MUST be in good condition NO other weapons are permitted Competition weapons MUST not be decorated or altered in any fashion "Knowledge" stripes may be used on "In Class" weapons ONLY Ifcompeting in weapons, black belts MUST compete with weapon(s) assigned to their rank or lower The following weapons are permitted: Single Bahng Mahng Ee for 1st Degrees or above Ifcompetitor is under 60" tall, they MAY use either 21" or 25" weapon If competitor is 60" or over, they MUST use 25" weapon Double Bahng Mahng Ee for 2 nd Degrees or above (same size as for Single) Single Ssahng leol Bong for 1st Degrees or above Ifcompetitor is under 60" tall, they MAY use either 9" or 12" weapon If competitor is 60" or over, they MUST use 12" weapon Double Ssahng Jeol Bong for 2 nd Degrees or above (same size as forsingle) Ssahng Nat for 2 nd Degrees or above Jahng Bong for 3 rd Degrees or above Ifdoing Mid-Range, weapon MUST be at least shoulder height or longer Ifdoing Long Range, weapon MUST be at least 4" taller than competitor Sam Dan Bong for 4 th Degrees or above Jee Pahng Ee for 4 th Degrees or above Any wooden model is permitted (rubber cap on end must be removed) Gum Do CANNOT be used for traditional weapons competition until CAN be used for ATA-Xtreme competition by any rank Oh Sung Do CANNOT be used for traditional weapons competition until CAN be used for ATA-Xtreme competition by any rank Allweapons used in competition MUST be the "Protech" version or "Protech" approved Jahng Bong and Jee Pahng Ee are the exceptions (see above) Competition weapons MUST not be decorated or altered in any fashion "Knowledge" stripes MUST not be used on competition weapons "Knowledge" stripes may be used on "In Class" weapons ONLY ATA-XTREME COMPETITION Color Belts The same weapons rules apply as in Traditional Weapons Competition The same selection ofweapons applies -NO others are added The same style ofweapons applies - NO exceptions, modifications or additions Competition weapons MAY be decorated, but MUST NOT be altered in shape or size Black Belts Black belts MUST use a weapon from within the entire "Protech" curriculum (see above) NO other weapons are added Black belts MUST choose from the following styles ofweapons:

7 "XMA" branded weapons "XMA" Xtreme Competition sword has logo on scabbard And "X" shaped handguard "ATA-Xtreme" branded weapons Any that become available will be allowed "Protech" version or "Protech" approved Competition weapons MAY be decorated, but MUST NOT be altered in shape or size TEAM COMPETITION The same rules that govern the Black Belts ATA-Xtreme Competition apply Please see above. FINAL SPECIAL NOTE: When it pertains to any ofthe uniform, safety gear, or weapons rules and requirements, any changes, modifications, alterations, or additions will come in official form from the Tournament Department ofthe ATA International Headquarters when they are made and approved by the Grand Master and the Masters Council. Until that official notification is made public, NO changes are allowed.