[By WTF/NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Tashkent, Uzbekistan is ready for the 5th WTF World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships scheduled for Oct. 8-10, 2010.

The three-day event, which will take place at the 2,800-seat Universal Sports Palace Uzbekistan, is expected to draw 454 athletes from 58 countries.

Athletes will compete for 18 gold medals up for grabs at the Tashkent World Poomsae Championships. The 3rd master male division and the 3rd master female division are newly created. Athletes of over 60 years can participate in the 3rd master division.

After performing two of the four 1st compulsory poomsae predetermined by the WTF, the top 50 percent of participants will qualify for the next round according to the average score of the two performances.

In the event that there are more than 21 competitors and the athletes are divided into two groups in the preliminary round according to drawing of lots, the top 50 percent of participants of each group will advance to the semifinal round.

The top 50 percent of participants will be required to perform two of the four 2nd compulsory poomsae predetermined by the WTF. The top eight athletes of each category (individual, team and pair) will be selected and advance to the final round according to the average score of the two performances.

The top eight athletes of each category will be required to perform the remaining two 2nd compulsory poomsae. The ranking of the top four athletes in each category will be decided by the average score of the two performances.

In the case that there are eight or less individuals or teams per division, they will automatically qualify for the final round without preliminary and semifinal rounds. In the case that there are 20 or less individuals or teams per division, they will automatically qualify for the semifinal round without the preliminary round. Accordingly the top eight individuals or teams will advance to the final round.

On Oct. 6, an extraordinary WTF Council meeting will take place at Crystal Ball Room of the Intercontinental Hotel Tashkent, and the WTF General Assembly is scheduled for Oct. 7 at the Amir Temur Hall of the same hotel.

At the WTF Council meeting, the participants will decide on the host site for the 6th WTF World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and the host sites and dates for the WTF Continental Qualification Tournaments for the 2012 London Olympic Games.