For many students, the BSTF National Championships are the highlight of their Taekwondo calendar. Organised since 1987, the tournament comprises both patterns (poomsae) and sparring (kyorugi) contests. Olympic style WTF rules apply, with every competition run to the highest degree of professionalism available.

Typically three full-sized sparring rings, electronic score-boards, and Olympic-style jigsaw matting are used. Sparring is split into eight weight divisions, four belt categories, as well as male and female draws, as is standard at large Taekwondo competitions. Patterns is split into four belt groups as well as male and female categories.

There are individual medals for both patterns and sparring, as well as an overall team award for the university club with the most medals (each medal equivalent to points). For a history of the winning universities at the BSTF National Championships, see the nationals history page (click here). If you are interested in hosting the BSTF National Championships in the future, contact us as early as possible (student.taekwondo@googlemail.com) and feel free to browse through the nationals bidding application page (click here). Also, keep up-to-date with information available regarding the current years event (location, date, entry forms, etc) (click here).

In keeping with the student spirit of Taekwondo, the BSTF National Championships traditionally move between host universities, with various universities bidding to host the event. Hosting the competition brings enormous prestige upon a university club, from both the Taekwondo community as well as within the host university itself. By arranging the event at various university halls, students are able to visit other parts of the country and helps to give the event a consistently fresh feeling. This system also helps to reduce entry costs for students, as university athletic unions and sports centres are usually willing to discount hall and equipment hire for the prestige of hosting such a large event.