The NCTA is informing athletes of a new opportunity to represent USA in the Freestyle Team Division at the 2026 FISU America Games. Some background is below:

In March 2026, NCTA received word that the Mixed Freestyle Team Division for the 2026 FISU America Games would be canceled. The explanation given to us was “The main reason Team Freestyle Poomsae will not be included is due to recent modifications to the international regulations governing this discipline. As a result of these changes, we currently do not have judges who are properly certified under the new standards.”

The NCTA lobbied to reverse this decision but was ultimately unsuccessful. 

This month on June 1, the NCTA received notice that the freestyle team division was being reinstated. We requested an explanation on the latest notice and received the explanation as follows:

“The Organizing Committee has recently decided to include the Freestyle Poomsae Team Event in the competition program. As you mentioned, and as was previously communicated, this event was initially not going to be included. At that time, one of the main challenges was that Peru currently does not have enough qualified referees to evaluate this discipline under the new World Taekwondo regulations.”

“However, following several meetings with the Technical Heads of the discipline, it was decided to add the Freestyle Poomsae Team Event, as there was significant interest from several countries that wished to participate in this modality. ”

“To make this possible and encourage greater participation, the event will be evaluated using the previous competition regulations rather than the new World Taekwondo rules. ”

“We understand that this change may have caused confusion, especially considering our previous communications, and we sincerely apologize for the delay in publishing the updated regulations and technical information.”

After some deliberation, the NCTA is opening up the opportunity for athletes to apply to compete in the freestyle team poomsae division at the 2026 FISU America Games.

To apply athletes, all athletes must meet the eligibility requirements at:

2026 NCTA Team Trials

The athletes must email ncta.contact@gmail.com with the names of all athletes on the proposed team (names should be as they appear on the passports of the athletes) by Monday, June 8. 

If only one team applies by Monday, June 8, and all athletes meet the eligibility requirements at the website above, that team will be named for the 2026 FISU America Games once they have met all eligibility requirements.

If more than one team applies by Monday, June 8, then each team has until Sunday, June 14 to submit a video of the team’s freestyle performance (no board breaking). The performances will be reviewed by a panel of referees.

The following criteria must be followed for a video submission: 

  • Video must be taken from a single vantage point.
  • The camera can pan left or right but cannot zoom in or out. All five active team members must be in the field of view for the duration of the performance.
  • Performance must occur on martial arts mats (i.e. puzzle mats or rolled sparring mats). Spring floors are not allowed.
  • Athletes must announce their name and the current date at the start of the video.
  • Athletes must provide proof of citizenship, age, and collegiate status by Monday, June 8 per the information on team trials page.

All athletes applying for this opportunity must be willing to pay $1900 for five nights in the Athlete village for the 2026 FISU America Games. Any additional nights in the village incur a $100 surcharge. Also, athletes and staff must purchase their own ticket to Lima from their hometown.

Athletes interested in competing in the team freestyle event (5 athletes + 1 alternate) should email ncta.contact@gmail.com as described above.