(Apr 3, 2025) - Para Taekwondo’s viewership numbers at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 soared by a huge 70%, according to data released today by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Following a successful Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020, Para Taekwondo’s medal events increased from six to 10 and athlete quota from 72 to 120 at Paris 2024 in a major milestone for the development of the sport.
Para Taekwondo was one of nine sports on the Paris 2024 programme which enjoyed record cumulative TV audiences, and the increase in its viewership numbers underlines the growing global popularity.
With competitions staged at the iconic Grand Palais, the world’s best athletes delivered a thrilling showcase of Para Taekwondo.
There were 52 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) represented in Para Taekwondo at Paris 2024 plus two Neutral Paralympic Athletes and two Refugee Paralympic Team athletes, with 19 countries competing in the sport for the first time at the Paralympic Games.
Further demonstrating the global growth of Para Taekwondo, 23 NPCs won at least one medal, along with one Neutral Paralympic Athlete medal and a historic bronze for the Refugee Paralympic Team.
Zakia Khudadadi’s bronze in the women’s K44 -47kg competition was the Refugee Paralympic Team’s first-ever medal, and her inspirational story and outstanding achievements saw her win the prestigious International Women’s Day Recognition Award in the Emerging Leader category last month.
World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue reflected on the outstanding success of Para Taekwondo at Paris 2024.
“The remarkable growth in the viewership of Para Taekwondo at the Paralympic Games is testament to the resilience of our athletes, who produced a remarkable competition with exciting matches and incredible performances,” President Choue said.
“World Taekwondo remains fully committed to further developing Para Taekwondo around the world in the coming years, and looks forward to even greater success at the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028.”
Para Taekwondo has already been confirmed as a medal sport at the Chungcheong 2027 FISU World University Games, providing new opportunities for student athletes with disabilities.
The full press release from the IPC on viewership numbers at Paris 2024 can be read here.
