Taekwondo, Karate and Judo Opportunities

A. Virtus International Eligibility and Opportunities through USA Virtus Member Athletes Without Limits

In 2015 Eric Wright with Athletes Without Limits National Taekwondo Coach Johnny Birch competed at the first Virtus World Taekwondo Championships in Ecuador and claimed the individual Gold medal for USA. Athletes Without Limits continues to seek talented athletes with intellectual disability to represent our U.S. National Teams at Virtus International events in Taekwondo, with Karate and Judo opportunities added in 2023.

As the US member of Virtus, the International Federation for athletes with Intellectual Impairment, Athletes Without Limits offers eligibility conformation and opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest levels through Virtus and World Taekwondo.  Qualified US athletes may be able to travel to international Virtus Taekwondo, Karate and Judo competitions as part of Athletes Without Limits USA delegation.

Please contact us if you know of any athletes who may be interested.

B. Events

Virtus and other events known to be open to athletes with Intellectual Impairments are all posted to our calendar where you can search by different Sports.

Upcoming Athletes Without Limits Trips to Virtus Events:

• Oct 2026 Virtus Americas Regional Games Peru (Taekwondo, Judo included)
• Nov 2027 Virtus Global Games Egypt (Taekwondo, Karate, Judo included)

Other Upcoming Events :

• Mar 2026 USATKD U.S. Open Nationals (Las Vegas)

Past Athletes Without Limits trips to Virtus Taekwondo Events:

• 2023 Virtus Global Games France
• 2022 Virtus OA Games Australia
• 2019 Virtus (formerly Inas) Global Games Australia
• 2016 Virtus (formerly Inas) Global Games Ecuador
• 2015 Virtus/Inas Global Games Ecuador

C. Apply for Virtus Eligibility

New athletes can apply for eligibility from our Eligibility Application Page.
Confirmed athletes are posted to our Eligibility Lists by Sport.

D. Eligibility Documentation:

Virtus offers three eligibility groups below at Athletes Without Limits and Virtus Events.
Please include full psychologist reports (all pages) when providing the documentation below.

Virtus II1 Group – Intellectual Disability
(includes Autism with Intellectual Disability)

This group is for athletes who meet ICD 11 or DSM 5 diagnostic criteria for Intellectual Disability, Mild, Moderate or Severe. The criteria below are the same requirements for Paralympic Classification for Intellectual Impairment:

1. Full Scale IQ of 75 or lower on WAIS, WISC, or Stanford Binet*
2. At least one domain score of 70 or lower on ABAS or Vineland Adaptive Behavior Assessment*
3. Evidence showing onset prior to age 22 if testing was done when athlete was older than 22.
   *Note that IQ and Adaptive assessments must be within last 5 years for full International eligibility.
   *Older or alternate assessments may be accepted for National Level where eligibility is clear.

Virtus II2 Group – Intellectual Disability & Down Syndrome
(or Similar Significant Additional Impairment)

Virtus created this group at our events to provide more fair competition for athletes with Intellectual Disability who have additional physical impairments such as those associated with Down Syndrome.

1. Cytogenetic report showing Trisomy21 or Translocation Down Syndrome, and
2. AAI Clearance form signed by physician including copy of neck x-ray.

OR

1. IQ and Adaptive documentation showing athlete meets Virtus II1 criteria for Intellectual Disability above along with
2. Medical reports, Performance times, and Zoom Questionnaire showing athlete has significant additional impairments
   (Note this is a more complex pathway please contact us for details.)

Virtus II3 Group – Autism+ 

This group provides an opportunity for athletes with Autism who don’t meet the Virtus II1 IQ /Adaptive requirements to compete.

1. A formal diagnosis of Autism that includes detailed developmental history focusing on features consistent with ICD 11 or DSM 5 criteria using a Virtus accepted tool: ADOS, ADOS2, ADR-I, ASRS, CARS, AAA, DISCO, GARS (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale), RIMLAND or ISAA (ages 2-9).

E. Virtus Eligibility Groups Recognized by Other Sport Federations:

USATKD & World Taekwondo Para Poomsae P20 Intellectual Impairment:

• P21 (Virtus II1-eligible athletes)
• P22 (Virtus II2-eligible athletes)
• P23 (Virtus II3-eligible athletes)

US Para Karate & World Para Karate:

• K21 (Virtus II1-eligible athletes)
• K22 (Virtus II2-eligible athletes)

F. Athletes Without Limits Taekwondo, Karate & Judo National Leadership

JOHNNY L. BIRCH, JR.
Athletes Without Limits Taekwondo, Karate & Judo National Teams Head Coach
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Following a successful career on the Army Taekwondo Team, Sabumnim Johnny L. Birch Jr founded the Carlisle Taekwondo & Fitness Academy, LLC in 2011. The Academy’s mission is to provide world-class Taekwondo instruction for individuals and families at an affordable cost, while striving to produce national level athletes to represent Pennsylvania on the national and international stage. Sabumnim Birch is a Certified Instructor in accordance with the National Safe Sports Act of 2014. Taekwondo career highlights include: 7th Dan Sport Taekwondo Associates, 6th Dan Chang Moo Kwan, 5th Dan Kukkiwon Black Belt, 4th Dan MooDukKwan Black Belt, 4th Dan Sport Taekwondo Associates, and 1st Dan World Martial Arts Federation.

PAMELA BEAS
Athletes Without Limits Taekwondo National Teams Assistant Coach