World Taekwondo 2026 Magazine 72dpi

REBORN TOGETHER

Global Membership

World

President’s Message

What a year 2025 has been for World Taekwondo!

Without a doubt, the highlight was the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi. In a show of broad distribution, Member National Associations swept the 64 medals at stake – 11 MNAs won the 16 gold medals; the 16 silver medals were won by 11 MNAs; and 19 MNAs shared the 32 bronze medals. Historical firsts were achieved, and the Wuxi World Taekwondo Championships were the best to date.

I wish to congratulate the athletes who medaled; I hope that your achievements are the first step to stardom. To the athletes who just missed out, you have a renewed aim for the coming years.

In Wuxi, the General Assembly welcomed two new Member National Associations – Reunion, and Saint Pierre & Miquelon. With 215 MNAs and a dedicated refugee team, World Taekwondo is now a “Top 3” Olympic International Federation, in terms of our membership size.

The General Assembly also elected a new Council and reaffirmed my presidency for one final term. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust in me and in the new Council. We will do our best for you, the World Taekwondo family, starting with the first Extraordinary Council Meeting and Council Workshop in late January 2026.

Emerging stars shone bright with dazzling displays at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah.

The six-member Refugee Team showed their tenacity and desire to be among the best. The inaugural World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships in Nairobi further cemented my belief that the future of Taekwondo is one that we can look forward to proudly.

The World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge Series in Charlotte, Muju and Bangkok gave us a glimpse of potential challengers to our established champions. Malabo played host to outstanding female athletes in the World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships. Chuncheon continued to attract new fans with its hosting of diverse and exciting World Taekwondo-promoted events.

Furthermore, Taekwondo achieved global success through the FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, the CISM World Military Martial Arts Championships in Warendorf, and the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. Moreover, kyorugi, poomsae and Para Taekwondo training and education camps were conducted worldwide, in-

cluding for refugee athletes. This is the beauty and strength of Taekwondo – diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

The third Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan was the largest to date, with Badminton, Baseball5, Basketball 3x3, Handball and Weightlifting joining Taekwondo for a worthy cause.

WT and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation are grateful for the incredible support of these International Federations.

Looking back on another successful and eventful year, I want to thank every MNA and host city that has organised WT promoted and recognised events. We are a harmonious family, and through your amazing support, we have been able to share the glory together.

In 2025, I had the opportunity to meet with new IOC President Kirsty Coventry. I firmly believe that the IOC and WT will be steadfastly aligned in our goals to create a better world through sport. I also met with IOC Honorary President for Life Thomas Bach, and reaffirmed the commitment of WT and the THF to improve the livelihood of refugees and displaced persons through sport.

Taekwondo is ever-changing to stay relevant with the times. The advent of Virtual Taekwondo and other cutting-edge events has set the stage for us to dive deeper into AI and digital transformation of Sport Taekwondo. We will be ready for what lies ahead. The future is now.

Looking ahead, 2026 will be yet another busy and exciting calendar. In February in Fujairah, our new Council will convene for the first time and discuss the strategic priorities for the new cycle. The best athletes and officials for 2025 will also be honoured in the UAE.

The World Taekwondo Junior Championships and the General Assembly will be held in Tashkent, where we follow the rapidly rising trajectories of aspiring athletes. From Tashkent, they will aim for the stars at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series will return in Rome, Muju, and Paris. The Grand Prix Final in Astana will be a highlight, where we will honor the best athletes and coaches of 2026. The World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon promise to be spectacular and re -

cord-breaking.

With so many events to look forward to, I have paused and reflected on the journey that I have undertaken since the inaugural year of my presidency.

As I embark on my final term, I wish for WT to be “Reborn, Together” – for no matter how much we have improved, there is always room to start afresh and be better. Together. Thank you, my dear colleagues and friends.

TAEKWONDO

Official Publication of World Taekwondo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Global Membership 2 President’s Message 4

PART 1 | COMPETITIONS

2025 European Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships 10

Para Taekwondo Joins 2025 European Para Youth Games for 1st Time 12

Poomsae Makes Debut at 2025 Asia Para Taekwondo Championships 13 1st-Ever Para Taekwondo Training Camp Held in Muju Taekwondowon 14

Muhammad Nazar Writes New Page of History for Para Taekwondo in Iraq 18

Young Nepali Para Taekwondoin Renu Tamang Soars to New Heights 19

Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games Draws 1500 Athletes from 35 Nations 19

Nepali Rides ‘Rollercoaster,’ Writes History At Paris 2024, Palesha Goverdhan became Nepal’s First Paralympic medalist 20 Refugee Paralympic Team Medalist Khudadadi Awarded by IPC on International Women’s Day 21

Para Taekwondo Sees Massive Jump in Viewership at Paris 2024 22

Para Taekwondo at LA28 to Build on Success of Paris 2024 23

World Taekwondo Cultural Festival Concludes with World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge 24

Fujairah in Focus at Spectacular World Taekwondo Cadet Championships Opening Ceremony 30

Gold Medals Shared on Explosive Day 1 32 Astorga Melgar Wins Historic Gold for El Salvador 34 World Taekwondo President Meets Refugee Team 35 AIN, Turkiye and Kazakhstan Get Gold on Day 3 38 Golds Shared Once More on Day 4 40

World Taekwondo Cadet Championships Conclude with Iran, Korea Leading Team Standings 42

Fujairah 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships Awards 44 President Choue Visits Crown Prince of Fujairah During World Taekwondo Cadet Championships 46

Sultonbek Nabiev:

Korea, Belgium and Egypt Triumph on Day 3 of Wuxi

Consistency the Key for Egyptian Veteran

Double Joy for Turkiye, 1st Gold for Brazil on Day 4 at Wuxi

Hungary, Thailand, Strike First Gold Medals of Wuxi 2025 World

Taekwondo Championships on day five 82

Tunisia, Iran, Clinch Memorable Victories on day six of Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships 84

Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships concludes with Triumphs for Turkiye, Uzbekistan 86

Outstanding Performances Recognised at Wuxi 2025 World

Taekwondo Championships Closing Ceremony 88

Persistence Pays off for Tunisia’s 1st World Champ 92

Akhmedova Heads Home on a High, Hefting Historic Medal for Kazakhstan 93

Ossin Emerges as New Ivorian Star 94

Seamless Steps from Junior to Senior World Champion 95

Strong Team Spirit Propels Team Turkiye to Double Gold 96

Dream Comes True for Thai Tubtimdang 97

Saudi star Hamedi targets Olympic history after switch to Taekwondo 98

All World Taekwondo Competitions in one app 99

Oceania Breaks New Ground at Wuxi 2025 World Championships 100

Champions Behind the Mic: Taekwondo Stars Bring Expert Insight to Wuxi 2025 Commentary Team 102

World Taekwondo Pioneers Free Competition Footage for Top 10 Athletes 103

Astana to Host Inaugural Altaic Taekwondo Championships 104

Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships Photo Gallery 106

Hosts China Wins Gold on Day 1 of World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge in Wuxi 122

Korea Grab 2 Golds, 1 for China on second day of World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge in Wuxi 123

China, Korea Repeat Gold Wins on final day of Wuxi 2025 World

Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge 123

Brazil Successfully Defend Title at Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships 124

Brazil, Korea, China Earn Golds On Day 1 in Charlotte Grand Prix Challenge 126

Korea, Spain and USA Share Golds on Day 2 of the Charlotte 2025

World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge 128

Chinese Taipei, Italy, Strike Last Golds as Charlotte 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge ends 130

Pacheco Hopes to Follow Footfalls of Olympic Idol, ‘Win it all’ 132

CJ Nickolas: ‘I’m Learning to Trust Myself; It’s Just the Beginning’ 133

Site Visit to LA 2028 Venue Follows Successful Charlotte WT GP Challenge 134

Nickolas Wins Again, Lee Earns Home Victory on Day 1 of Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge 136

Tubtimdang and Kosmycheva take golds on day two of Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge 138

Teachout and Bae Claim Golds on Day 3 of Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge 140

Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

Concludes with Golds for Pacheco and Garcia Martinez 142

World Taekwondo President Meets Refugee Athletes at Muju Grand Prix Challenge 144

Williams refreshed after Tokyo silver 146

Teachout Savors Triumphant Return to Muju Taekwondowon 147

Team Korea Strike Golds – Twice - on Day 1 of Bangkok 2025 World

Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

Double Gold for China on Day 2 of Bangkok

Korea, Uzbekistan Grab Day 3 Golds at Bangkok

World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

Korea, Brazil Grab Last Golds of the Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

Korea Comes out Top after Smashing Day in Chuncheon 162

Korea and Morocco Share Diamond Games Glory in Paired Duels in Muju 164

Muju Mixed Team Events End with Korea and Uzbekistan Victorious 166

Clean Sweep for Uzbeks in Individuals as Diamond Game Concludes in Muju 167

Sandersen Opens Games with Gold in Women’s Individual Poomsae 168

Team Poomsae Thrills on Day 2 of Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games 168

World University Taekwondo Festival Kicks Off in Daegu 169

Brazil, Canada, Korea and Thailand Strike Gold on Day 3 at Rhine-Ruhr 2025 170

China, Ukraine, and Korea Shine on Day 4 at Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games 171

Korea, Georgia and Turkiye Take Top Honors on Day 5 at 2025 FISU World University Games 172

China, Kazakhstan, Turkiye, and Ukraine Shine on Day 6 of Taekwondo at Rhine-Ruhr 2025 173

Uzbekistan Writes History in 1st FISU Mixed Team Event, China and Korea Strike Gold in Women’s and Men’s Team Events 174

World Taekwondo and FISU Strengthen Humanitarian and Sport Cooperation at Rhine-Ruhr 2025 175

World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships Kick off in Malabo with Spectacular Opening Day 176

Double Win for China on Day 2 of Malabo 2025 World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships 178

Malabo 2025 World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships Draws to Intense Conclusion 182

Saudi’s Dunya Ali Abutaleb Wins IOC’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Award for Asia 184

Viviana Marton Wins 13th Summer Piotr Nurowski Prize 185 Nairobi Hosts Inaugural World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships 186

Turkiye Claims Double Gold as Nairobi 2025 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships Storm Onward 187 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships Opening Ceremony Kicks Off 188

Iran Grows Medal Haul, Korea and Egypt also Claim Golds on Day 3 190 Gold Medals Shared on Final Day of Nairobi 2025 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships 191

Inaugural World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships Concludes in Nairobi 192

Kirsty Coventry Visits ‘Giulio Onesti’ Training Center Ciao Team Captivates IOC President 194

VTKD Para Test Day Highlights New Opportunities for Inclusive Sports Through VR 196

Expanding the Frontiers of Taekwondo: Breakthrough Year for Virtual Taekwondo 198

2025 African Junior Championships 200

2025 Asian Cadet-Junior Championships 202

2025 European Junior Championships 204

Cadet-Junior Pan American Championship 2025 National Teams 206

World Taekwondo honours world’s best at 2025 Gala Awards in Fujairah 208

PART 2 | AROUND WT

World Taekwondo Council Elects Hosts for Upcoming Events through 2027 222

Astana Confirmed as Host of 2027 World Taekwondo Championships 224

Reunion and Saint Pierre & Miquelon Increase World Taekwondo Membership to 215 Plus Refugee Team 228

Chungwon Choue Re-Elected as WT President 232

World Taekwondo Council “Reborn Together” at first meeting of new mandate 238

World Taekwondo holds historic Council Workshop in Fujairah 242 Choue Attends LA28 IOC-IF Transition Seminar in Lausanne 244

WT President Meets New IOC President 246

World Taekwondo Symposium Focuses on Taekwondo and Artificial Intelligence 248

AI Meets Taekwondo: Shaping the Future of the Sport at the 2025 Jeonbuk Sports Taekwondo International Convergence Conference 251 Choue Honors President of Kazakhstan with World Taekwondo Black Belt 252

World Taekwondo, Integra Construction KZ LLP Sign 3-Year Sponsorship Agreement 253

Choue Meets Brussels Mayor, Discusses the Future of Taekwondo in Belgium 254

World Taekwondo, Kyung Hee University, to Jointly

PART 1 COMPETITIONS

2025 European Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships

The 2025 European Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships were held alongside the 2025 European Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Tallinn, Estonia, from April 16-17, 2025. This was the second time that the events have been combined and the format is proving successful.

Following last year’s first-ever standalone World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, interest in Para Taekwondo poomsae has grown immensely.

The Tallinn event offered competition in sport classes for athletes with an intellectual impairment (P21, P22, P23), athletes with a motor impairment (P31, P32, P33, P34 and P35), athletes using assistive devices (P51, P52, P53) and athletes with short stature (P72).

A total of 14 countries took part, several for the first time. Out of the 77 athletes registered for the event, 44 required Athlete Classification, keeping the International Classifiers very busy in the days leading up to the competition.

The 2025 European Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships showed that there is a growing demand for competitions in Para Taekwondo poomsae.

The most competitive categories were the sport classes for athletes with an intellectual impairment. These divisions were contested on Day 1. The gold medal in the Men’s P21 Senior went to Peter Sellwood of Great Britain. In the Men’s P22 Senior, Croatia’s Stipe Baric came out on top after facing his teammate Roko Boduljak in the final. Nikolas Milanos of Greece took the gold in the Men’s P23 Senior category.

On the women’s side, Briton Summer Waheed took gold in the Women’s P21 Senior category, and her team-

mate Iona Craig earned the gold in the Women’s P23 Senior category. Croatia’s Daniela Topic took gold in the Women’s P22 Senior category. The first day of competition also saw competitions in the P72 sport class. In the Male P72 Senior division, the gold went to Oliver Hlavinka of Hungary, and on the women’s side, Sweden’s Felicia Leventin earned the gold in the Women’s P72 Senior category.

Day 2 saw competitions in the sport classes for athletes with a motor impairment and athletes using assistive devices. In accordance with World Taekwondo rules, categories require at least two athletes from at least two countries to compete in order to officially recognize a medal.

In the most competitive division of the day, the Men’s P33 Senior category, Jordi Aznar Oliveras of Spain claimed the gold. In the Women’s P34 Senior category, Eleni Nestora of Greece bested Great Britain’s Jane Bedford in the final to claim gold. In Women’s P31 Senior, Croatia’s Ivona Budiscak earned the gold. World Champion Arndt Mallepree of Germany won the final against Borja Arroyo Ramos of Spain for the gold in Men’s P34.

Technical Delegate Paula Remirez said: “The turnout increased significantly from 2023, especially in the P20 sport classes, a trend we expect to continue in the coming years. All athletes showed their support for the Para athletes, and you could see that Para Taekwondo poomsae enjoys good health and growth in Europe.”

Para Taekwondo Joins

2025 European Para Youth Games for 1st Time

From July 21-28, Istanbul, Turkiye, hosted the 2025 European Para Youth Games - and Para Taekwondo made its debut at the prestigious youth multi-sport event.

The EPYG, organized by the European Paralympic Committee, is a true “Paralympic School” for young talents aged under 21. The 2025 edition brought together over 1,200 para athletes from 33 European countries, competing in nine sports including Para Taekwondo. Competitions were held mainly at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Cebeci Sports Complex in Istanbul, with some events also staged at the kenka Athletics Track.

The Para Taekwondo competition was held over three days, from July 25-27, with Para Youth athletes from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkiye competing.

The host country came out tops in the Para Taekwondo medal standings, winning a total of four gold medals, seven silvers and seven bronzes. The runner-up was Azerbaijan with three golds, one silver and three bronzes, while Georgia took third place with two golds and two silvers.

In the overall event, Turkiye was also the winner, with 22 final gold medals, followed by Germany with 21 and Spain with 20.

Poomsae Makes Debut at 2025 Asia Para Taekwondo Championships

The 2025 Asia Para Taekwondo Championships took place in Kuching, Malaysia from July 31-Aug. 1, 2025.

For the first time, the event included Para Taekwondo poomsae, where 40 athletes from eight countries competed for the medals on July 31. Those numbers are a strong testament to the development of Para Taekwondo poomsae worldwide.

The medal standings saw Bahrain claiming top honors, showing that they established a great legacy program from last year’s World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Manama, Bahrain. They were closely followed by India and Iraq. Host nation Malaysia claimed a gold in the Men P21 Senior division.

The kyorugi competitions were held on Aug. 1. The competitions saw several Paralympians and Paralympic medalists claim top honors. Yujie Li of China, the Paris 2024 gold medalist, won another gold in the Women K44 -57kg category. Several bronze medalists from Paris also claimed golds in Kuching: Alireza Bakht of Iran in the Men K44 -80kg, Hamed Haghshenas, also of Iran in the Men K44 +80kg and Khwansuda Phuangkitcha of Thailand in the Women K44 -47kg. Rising athletes, too, claimed golds, showing that there is a generational shift underway in Para Taekwondo in Asia. Korea’s Pyenggang Lee took gold in the Men K44 -58kg. So, too, did Umida Mamardjabova of Uzbekistan in the Women K44 -52kg, as did her teammate Roziyakhon Ergasheva in the Women K44 -65kg category.

1st-Ever Para Taekwondo

Training Camp Held in Muju Taekwondowon

Thirty-four Para Taekwondo athletes from 17 countries gathered in Muju, Korea, for the first-ever World Para Taekwondo Training Camp.

The event was held at Muju’s Taekwondowon, Taekwondo’s purpose-built, live-in training facility, set in a scenic valley in Korea’s southwest.

Participants at the 10-day event included Paralympic champions and medalists, world champions and refugee athletes and several developing athletes, brought together under one roof with leading instructors to elevate the global level of Para Taekwondo.

From July 1-10, the Para players joined training sessions and lectures on Para Taekwondo and its classification system. The camp also included a visit to the Korean Paralympic Committee Training Center in Icheon, cultural activities and guided trips.

“Para Taekwondo has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, and we saw this with the spectacular competitions during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games,” World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said. “World Taekwondo is fully committed to building on this momentum and we want to use this training camp as a pilot to develop into an annual event.”

Athletes were trained by Rodrigo Ferla, a World Taekwondo Best Para Taekwondo Coach award winner who has coached several Paralympic and World Champions. The training camp included sessions aimed at improving athletes’ techniques, strategy and match management.

It also featured evening educational lectures led by Para Taekwondo Chair Usman Dildar on the biological and psychological aspects of Para Taekwondo, sport classes and classification, games management, and the future development of Para Taekwondo.

Elite athletes attending include Leonor Angelica Espinoza Carranza of Peru, the only two-time Paralympic gold medalist and twotime Parapan American Games medalist. Fellow Paralympic Champions Ana Carolina Silva de Moura of Brazil, Imammadin Khalilov of Azerbaijan and Mahmut Bozteke of Turkiye were also in the lineup. So too was Nepal’s first-ever Olympic or Paralympic Games Medalist Palesha Goverdhan, who took bronze in the Women K44 W-57kg at Paris 2024.

Refugee Team Athletes Mohammad Maher Karman and Elif Ismaael Alqublan, originally from Syria and now based in Jordan, took part in their first camp and international competition, having been identified through the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF).

“This camp was truly historic, the first of its kind, and it was much more than training,” said Dildar. “It was about building bonds, sharing stories, inspiring each other, and growing not just as athletes, but as a family.”

Athletes had the opportunity to put their newly learned skills to the test: The camp was followed by Korea’s Chuncheon 2025 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge.

of History for Para Taekwondo in Iraq

Teenager Muhammad Nazar etched his name into Iraq’s sporting history with a breakthrough performance at the Asian Youth Para Games.

Competing in the M+80kg category, the Para Taekwondo athlete captured a historic silver — Iraq’s first-ever medal in Para Taekwondo — at the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games.

Even more remarkable: Dubai marked his first international championship and his first journey outside Iraq.

“I was thinking about my family and friends while competing,” Nazar said. “Knowing they were watching me made this moment very special.”

Nazar has been practicing Para Taekwondo for just over two years, a short time in a sport that demands discipline, strength and precision. Drawn to Para Taekwondo because of his love for combat sports and its suitability to his physique, he quickly found his passion — and his purpose — on the mats. His path to the silver medal included a victory over an opponent from India, before facing a strong competitor from China in the final, who eventually claimed the gold.

“My coaches gave me motivation, especially in difficult moments,” he said. “I thank everyone who supported me and believed in me.”

Challenges Beyond the Mat

Despite the medal, Nazar openly speaks about the challenges Para athletes face in Iraq. Limited facilities, shared training venues, balancing education with sport, and a lack of media attention remain major hurdles.

“There is support, but we need more,” he explained. “Para sports especially need more coverage and better facilities.”

“Getting silver in my first international competition is a very big achievement for me,” Nazar said. “It motivates me to work even harder.”

Nazar’s success is also a reflection of the dedication of Iraq’s home-grown coaching system. Trained by Iraqi coaches, Nazar prepared through training camps held in Najaf and Baghdad.

Still, Nazar remains optimistic. He is currently in his final year of school and plans to continue his education while pursuing his sporting career.

For Nazar, this silver medal is not the destination - it is the beginning.

“This achievement has opened many doors for me,” he said. “My biggest goal is to compete at the Paralympic Games.”

He also has a message for other Para athletes in Iraq and beyond:

“I encourage all [persons with disabilities] to take part in sports,” he said. “I am very happy to see more athletes coming forward now.”

As Iraq celebrates a historic medal, Nazar stands as a symbol of what is possible with belief, perseverance and opportunity. His silver shine is not just a personal triumph, but a milestone for Iraqi Para sport.

Young Nepali Para Taekwondoin

Soars to New Heights

DUBAI, UAE (Dec. 13, 2025)

Teenage prodigy Renu Tamang from Nepal is capturing hearts across Asia with her courage, discipline, and extraordinary spirit.

Competing in the Women K44 -47kg category at the Asian Youth Para Games, the 16-year-old Tamang represents not only the strength of Nepal’s youth but also the power of opportunity, belief, and perseverance.

She went on to win her first bronze medal at the AYPG, following in the footsteps of her idol Palesha Goverdhan, Nepal’s first-ever Olympic or Paralympic medalist, who claimed a bronze at the Paris 2024 Games.

Raised in a humble household, Tamang grew up facing both financial challenges and the reality of living without one hand. Yet she carried a quiet dream: To one day wear Nepal’s colors on the international stage.

Her turning point came when she met Kabiraj Negi Lama, a dedicated Para Taekwondo coach who had spent years searching nationwide for young athletes with disabilities. “It is quite hard to find athletes with disabilities,” Lama explained. “We search in schools and all over Nepal. Many are not interested. But when I found Renu, I was very happy.”

After overcoming a family tragedy and a six-month hiatus, Tamang returned to training with the support of the Nepal Taekwondo Association. In her first match in Dubai, she displayed a stunning performance and discipline, defeating Bangladesh’s Nasrin Aktar.

“I am very happy to represent my country; my family is happy if I can get a medal today,” said Tamang.

“I really hope new athletes will join Taekwondo and make history like Palesha Goverdhan and Renu Tamang,” her coach said.

Nations

The Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG), held from Dec. 7-14, included two days of Para Taekwondo.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event celebrated the spirit of Para athletes from across Asia, uniting them through competition, determination, and inspiration. It saw talent meet opportunity, and every victory told a story of strength and inclusion.

“The Asian Youth Para Games are a vital part of developing the Paralympic Movement in Asia,” said Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed. “They give young athletes the chance to get their international classification and to test themselves in a prestigious multi-sport event.”

Four objectives were set by the local organizing committee.

Promote Inclusivity: Create a platform for young athletes with disabilities.

Inspire Youth: Encourage participation in sports among youth with disabilities.

Foster Regional Unity: Strengthen ties among Asian nations.

Showcase Dubai: Highlight Dubai’s world-class infrastructure and commitment to inclusivity.

Nepali Rides ‘Rollercoaster,’ Writes History

At Paris 2024, Palesha Goverdhan became Nepal’s First Paralympic medalist

By AMP Media | For IPC

Claiming bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games has been “a total game changer,” for Para Taekwondo Athlete Palesha Goverdhan, the first player from her country to medal in any Olympic or Paralympic sport.

“Suddenly I’ve got fans, followers and people recognizing me in the street - it’s wild,” Goverdhan said, having taken bronze in the W-57kg K44 category at the iconic Grand Palais.

“I even got to meet a ton of celebrities, had a chat with my country’s prime minister, and gave more interviews than I can count,” she said. “But here’s the kicker: just as things were hitting their peak, I had to pack my bags and fly back to China, where I’m pursuing my bachelor’s degree in architecture.”

Of course, her new path won’t erase the memories made in Paris.

“Yep, no time for a ‘wow’ victory lap because the grind never stops,” she continued. “But that one week back home after Paris was absolutely insane - non-stop events, love, and chaos. Something I’ll never forget.”

Defying the Doubters

Now 21, Goverdhan’s path to history began at school when she was 10 years old. Born without a left palm, she took up Taekwondo as a pastime. But she instantly discovered an aptitude and appetite for it, becoming part of Nepal’s fledgling Para Taekwondo team in 2016.

Regional success followed before, at the age of 18, she was selected for Tokyo 2020, where Para Taekwondo was included on the Paralympic sports program for the first time.

“I never planned to compete in Tokyo: My eyes were always set on Paris 2024,” she said. So, the Nepali “didn’t even know how to process it” when she discovered that she could compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, which were held in 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For two months, she focused on her training, giving everything she had. Competing in the W-58kg K44 division at Tokyo 2020, she advanced to the bronze medal match, but lost to China’s Yujie Li, 12-9.

“Losing the bronze medal match by just three points was absolutely devastating,” Goverdhan said.

“Sure, people noticed me because I was the first Nepali to win two matches in either the Olympics or Paralympics, but I could still hear the whispers, the taunts: ‘She lost.’ ‘She couldn’t do it,’” she recalled. “It made my blood boil!”

It also redoubled her determination.

“My team and I kept pushing — not for money, not for fame, but for Nepal,” she said. “We wanted to put even one medal on that table, to show the world we belong.”

Goverdhan’s Gift of Gold for Nepal

She made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, defeating Serbia’s Marija Micev 15-8 in the bronze medal match. She celebrated on the mat, embracing the special moment in front of a vocal crowd at the Grand Palais.

“When I started Taekwondo at 10, I was heartbroken to learn no one from Nepal had ever won an Olympic or Paralympic medal,” said Goverdhan, who was Nepal’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony in the Stade de France.

“People told me it was impossible, laughed when I said I’d do it,” she said. “But guess what? Here I am, standing proud with Nepal’s first-ever medal.”

She has a question for the doubters: “Who’s laughing now?” she asked.

Yet, as Goverdhan admits, Paris 2024 ,“wasn’t a walk in the park.”

“I was studying in China, training alone, juggling the Asian Games and qualification matches without a

coach or support system,” she recalled. “Things were going smoothly — I even won a medal at the Asian Games.”

Her doubters were defied.

“I took my spot for Paris 2024 not because they gave it to me, but because I earned it,” she stated. “Lesson learned: never doubt the one who’s been fighting her whole life!”

Goverdhan won her bronze medal match the hard way, recovering from 3-0 and 5-4 down to defeat 2019 World Silver Medalist Micev of Serbia, ending the bout with four consecutive body kicks.

And there’s more gas in her tank.

“I’m here to show the world what Nepal is capable of,” she said. “You can laugh, you can doubt - but I’ll keep winning!”

The Future: Warrior, Artist, Role Model

Reflecting on Paris, Goverdhan looks beyond sporting success.

“I believe my success has done more than just put me in the spotlight — it has shifted mindsets,” she said.

“It’s shown people, especially athletes, that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard and give it your all. What’s even more exciting is that we’re now seeing new athletes training in Para Taekwondo alongside us.

“It feels amazing to know I’ve inspired others to dream big and chase those dreams.”

She sees herself as a dual human.

“When I step into the Taekwondo arena, I become this brave, fierce warrior. But when I’m doing art or architecture, I turn into a calm, peaceful soul. I’m like two completely different people!”

She enjoys going back and forth.

“When studies start feeling overwhelming, I take a break and train; when Taekwondo gets exhausting, I dive back into my books and sketches,” she said. “It’s like giving myself a reset button.”

She is looking forward to a future inspired by her past.

“2024 was a roller coaster, no doubt about it,” she said. “It was tough, exciting, and unforgettable all at once.”

Paralympic Team Medalist

Refugee Para Taekwondo Athlete Zakia Khudadadi has won the International Paralympic Committee’s prestigious International Women’s Day Recognition Award in the “Emerging Leader” category.

The IPC award recognizes Khudadadi’s outstanding achievements in Para Taekwondo including a historic bronze medal at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024. She had used her increased global prominence from Tokyo 2020 to advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan, including the right to access sport.

Khudadadi fled to France shortly before the Paralympic Games in Tokyo following the Taliban’s takeover, but showed tremendous resilience to become the first female athlete from Afghanistan to compete at the Paralympic Games for 16 years.

While continuing to champion gender equality at every opportunity, Khudadadi also continued to make more history on the field of play. At Paris 2024, representing the Refugee Paralympic Team, she earned its first-ever medal at the Games with a bronze in the Women K44 -47kg competition.

Following her success, she expressed hope that her example could inspire Afghan women and girls to practice sport.

“Thank you for choosing me as Emerging Leader for the IPC International Women’s Day Recognition Award 2025 - this is a great honor for me and the women of Afghanistan,” she said. “I am very happy, and everything feels like a dream, but it is indeed a reality - Afghan women stand bravely against oppression, demanding freedom not as a wish, but as an undeniable right.”

“Their voices cannot be silenced, as they come from hearts that beat for a brighter tomorrow,” she continued. “A special thank you to the IPC for striving to showcase inspiring figures to the world.”

World Taekwondo was delighted to nominate Khudadadi for the IPC’s International Women’s Day Recognition Award, and is proud of her leadership in serving as a voice for inclusiveness and a role model for women and girls from around the world.

Para Taekwondo

Sees Massive Jump in Viewership at Paris 2024

Para Taekwondo’s viewer numbers at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 soared by a whopping 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 were increased from six to 10 as a result of which its athlete quota rose from 72 to 120 at Paris 2024.

Para Taekwondo was one of nine sports on the Paris 2024 program which enjoyed record cumulative TV audiences. That increase in its viewership numbers underlines growing global popularity.

Fifty-two National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) were represented in Para Taekwondo at Paris 2024, plus two Neutral Paralympic Athletes and two Refugee Paralympic Team athletes; 19 countries competed 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 K44 W-47kg competition was the Refugee Paralympic Team’s first-ever medal. The Afghan refugee’s inspirational story and outstanding achievements later saw her win the prestigious International Women’s Day Recognition Award in the Emerging Leader category.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue put the success of Para Taekwondo at Paris 2024 down to the players.

“The remarkable growth in the viewership of Para Taekwondo at the Paralympic Games is testament to the resilience of our athletes,” Choue said. “World Taekwondo looks forward to even greater success at the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028.”

Meanwhile, the sport continues its advance. Para Taekwondo has been newly confirmed as a medal sport at the Chungcheong 2027 FISU World University Games, providing new opportunities for student athletes with disabilities.

Para Taekwondo at LA28 to Build on Success of Paris 2024

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed that Para Taekwondo’s medal event and athlete quota will remain unchanged at LA28, preserving the program that helped drive the sport’s outstanding performance at Paris 2024.

The Para Taekwondo gender-equal competitions at LA28 will see 120 of the world’s best athletes compete across 10 medal events.

The IPC’s decision to maintain the sport’s level from Paris 2024 is a reflection of its great success at the last Games.

Para Taekwondo competitions in Paris saw a huge 70% increase in viewership from Tokyo 2020, demonstrating the soaring global popularity of the sport since it made its Paralympic debut in Tokyo.

On the back of Para Taekwondo’s successful introduction to the Paralympic Games, the IPC took the decision to boost the number of medal events from 6 to 10 and the athlete quota from 72 to 120.

Para Taekwondo players rewarded this trust from the IPC by delivering thrilling fights in Paris with 23 National Paralympic Committees out of the 52 competing winning at least one medal. It was also in Para Taekwondo that the Refugee Paralympic Team won their first-ever medal in any sport, with Zakia Khudadadi winning bronze in the women’s K44 -47kg.

With its programme now confirmed, World Taekwondo is committed to building on these great successes and delivering even more spectacular competitions in LA.

World Taekwondo

Cultural Festival Concludes with

World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge

A total of 158 athletes fought it out at the Chuncheon 2025 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge, held in Chuncheon, Korea. Twenty-seven countries, including a Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) were represented on the mats at the Chuncheon Song-Am Sports Town Air Dome.

World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge

K44 events were held in the M-58kg, M-63kg, M-70kg, M-80kg and M+80kg weight categories, and in the W-47kg, W-52kg, W-57kg, W-65kg, and W+65kg weight categories.

2025 marked the third year of the World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge in Chuncheon. This year the event concluded the World Taekwondo Cultural Festival, following the World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships and the World Taekwondo Demonstration and Breaking Championships.

Leading athletes included Leonor Angelica Espinoza Carranza (K44 W-47kg) of Peru, the only athlete to win two Paralympic gold medals in Para Taekwondo, and fellow Paralympic Champions Ana Carolina Silva de Moura (K44 W-65kg) of Brazil, Imammadin Khalilov of Azerbaijan (K44 M-70kg), and Turkiye’s Mahmut Bozteke (K44 M-63kg).

Nepal’s first-ever Olympic or Paralympic Medalist Palesha Goverdhan (K44 W-57kg) also participated, along with Paris 2024 Medalists Meryem Betul Cavdar of Turkiye (K44 W-52kg), Ana Japaridze of Georgia (K44 W-52kg), Silvana Cardoso Fernandes of Brazil (K44 W-57kg), Christina Gkentzou of Greece (K44 W-65kg), Rajae Akermach of Morocco (K44 W+65kg), Sabir Zeynalov of Azerbaijan (K44 M-58kg), Ayoub Adouich of Morocco (K44 M-63kg), and former World Champion Debora Menezes of Brazil (K44 W+65kg). Notably, Serbia’s Nikola Spajic (K44 M-80kg), who had earlier participated in the prior Muju World Para Taekwondo Training Camp, won gold.

Fujairah 2025 Opening Ceremony

World Taekwondo Cadet Championships

Fujairah in Focus at Spectacular World Taekwondo Cadet Championships

The rich culture of host Fujairah, UAE, was showcased during the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

It featured a series of spectacular performances by local musicians and artists which blew away the athletes, spectators and VIPs who had gathered at the start of the biggest World Taekwondo Cadet Championships to date.

The event has attracted 807 athletes and 467 officials representing 89 Member National Associations, the World Taekwondo Refugee Team, AIN (Individual Neutral Athletes), and competitors.

Those numbers make the 2025 event, the 7th edition of the tournament, the biggest to date.

Competition was set to take place from May 10-14 at the Zayed Complex.

Crown Prince of Fujairah H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi attended the ceremony.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue expressed his gratitude to both the prince and the President of the UAE Taekwondo Federation and World Taekwondo Council Member Ahmed Hamdan Alzeyoudi for their unwavering support.

“For the first time in history, these championships are being held in the UAE,” Choue said.

“This week we welcome more than 800 athletes from 89 MNAs, Independent Neutral Athletes and the Refugee Team. This is by far the largest-ever World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.”

Calling the cadets “the foundation of Taekwondo,” he reminded the young players that many former cadet medalists have gone on to win medals at World and Olympic events.

“Many of you here today will have the opportunity to become global stars, but most importantly through Taekwondo you can become global citizens,” he said.

UAE Taekwondo Federation President and World Taekwondo Council Member Ahmed Hamdan Alzeyoudi also delivered a speech.

The opening ceremony included an oath-taking ceremony on behalf of all referees, athletes and coaches; the parade of flags of each of the participating nations; and the playing of the UAE national anthem and the World Taekwondo anthem.

It concluded with a breathtaking performance by the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team, to the joy of the crowd.

DAY1 Gold Medals Shared on Explosive Day 1

The biggest-ever World Taekwondo Cadet Championships began in entertaining style in Fujairah, UAE, as gold medals were shared by athletes from four different nations.

Korea’s Yoonyu Oh was first to triumph at the Zayed Sports Complex as she impressively overcame Italy’s Azzurra D’Alessandro in the W-29kg final, winning in two rounds, 6-4 and 11-4.

Individual Neutral Athlete Mariia Lolenko took the first round in the semi-final against Oh, 19-17, but she had to settle for bronze as her opponent won the second and third rounds 12-5 and 19-11 respectively. Morocco’s Oumaima Ait Mbark was the other bronze medalist, and was also on the receiving end of a comeback in her semi-final against D’Alessandro.

Sultonbek Nabiev of Uzbekistan won an entertaining three-round final against Serbia’s David Kukic in the M-37kg category. Nabiev eased to an 11-0 victory in the first round, but Kukic hit back 8-3 in the second to force a decider. In the crucial third round, Nabiev outscored his opponent 13-5 to take gold.

Belgium’s Liam Preuveneers and Korea’s Taegyeong Kim earned the bronze medals with their runs to the semi-finals.

W-44kg gold went to Ukraine’s Karyna Dovzhanyn, who took the first round of the final against Italy’s Malak El Koudri 14-10 and edged the second 8-7.

Tening Faye of Senegal was beaten in three rounds by Dovzhanyn in her semi-final, and shared bronze with AIN Elizaveta Bystrova, who lost a closely-fought semi-final against El Koudri.

The first day of competition concluded with a gold for Kazakhstan’s Khamzaalper Romashkin in the M-61kg. He won a low-scoring first round in the final, 3-0 against Nikola Samardzic of Canada, but his opponent hit back by edging the second, 9-8. However, Romashkin was not to be denied his moment of glory and took the thrilling deciding round 17-15.

Romashkin also required three rounds to overcome Korea’s Seoyul Lim in the semi-finals, as did Samardzic against Greece’s Athanasios Fotiou on the other side of the draw.

Astorga Melgar Wins Historic Gold for El Salvador

El Salvador got its first-ever kyorugi world champion in any age category after Christopher Andre Astorga Melgar clinched a stunning victory on day two of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah.

Astorga Melgar played out a captivating M-49kg final against Turkiye’s Yunus Ali Korpe at the Zayed Sports Complex, with two of the three rounds decided in the closing seconds.

The first round finished 12-12 but went the way of Astorga Melgar thanks to some vital late scoring, while Korpe dominated the second round and won it 20-7 to force a decider. Korpe led for much of the all-important third round, but Astorga Melgar again finished with a flourish to earn the most dramatic of victories and achieve an emotional gold medal.

World Taekwondo President Meets Refugee Team

FUJAIRAH, UAE (May 11, 2025)

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue today met with the Refugee Team competing at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah.

The Refugee Team reflects World Taekwondo’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for all to participate in the sport.

At the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships, the Refugee Team includes:

· Majd Alallw (M -37kg)

· Reda Alayoub (M -49kg)

· Raneem Alomar (W -47kg)

· Gazal Mhd Othman (W -41kg)

· Melika Barbari (W -37kg)

· Reem Alali (W -37kg)

· Nasim Mahmoudi (W-47kg)

“It was emotional to meet with these young Refugee Team athletes today at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships,” Choue, who also serves as chairman of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), commented. “We believe Taekwondo has the power to serve as a symbol for peace and hope, and as the THF approaches its 10th anniversary, we are determined to redouble our efforts to support refugee athletes from around the world.”

Since it was founded in 2016, the THF has pioneered a series of impactful projects which “Empower the Powerless” - refugees and displaced people. It has been recognized within the Olympic movement, receiving the IOC’s prestigious Olympic Cup in 2023.

Five Taekwondo athletes featured on the IOC Refugee Team at Paris 2024, making it the third most represented sport.

The THF also recently held the largest-ever Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan, enabling refugee athletes to showcase their talents across a variety of sports.

Individual Neutral Athlete Ivan Pakhomov was beaten by Astorga Melgar in the semifinals, while Korpe overcame Joshua Sosimo Rojas, who was competing under the World Taekwondo flag.

Thailand’s Paramee Chomphuwong claimed the gold medal, delivering a commanding display in the M-33kg final against AIN Amirali Kadyrov. Chomphuwong outscored his opponent 12-6 in the first round and 16-3 in the second to clinch a gold which underlined his dominance in the category: He had not dropped a single round throughout the day.

Anakin Quang of France was beaten by Chomphuwong in the semi-finals, but shared third place on the podium with Diego Refugio Gallo Orozco of Mexico.

In the W-33kg final, AIN Dinara Sheripova triumphed over Nadja Babic of Serbia, winning the first round 5-2, and the second 10-6.

Sheripova had earlier beaten Thailand’s Thipanan Iemsa-Ard in the semifinals, while Babic recovered from losing the first round to defeat Egypt’s Jana Yousry Omar Mohamed.

Shao Yen Wu of Chinese Taipei was the final gold medalist of the day, edging a close W-55kg final against Iran’s Dorsa Veisi. Both rounds finished 3-2 to Wu.

Renata Hernandez of Mexico and Berfin Avci of Turkiye earned bronzes with their runs to the semifinals, where they were beaten by Wu and Veisi respectively.

AIN, Turkiye and Kazakhstan Get Gold on Day 3

Day 3 of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah saw gold medals won by Individual Neutral Athletes, Turkiye and Kazakhstan.

AINs won the first two finals of the day through Anastasiia Arnautova in the W-47kg category and Daniil Minakov in the M-45kg.

Arnautova dominated the first round of her final 11-2 against Chinese Taipei’s Wei Ni Chang, and edged a closely fought second 15-13 to clinch gold. She had earlier won a three-round semi-final against Australia’s Chloe Hor Yan Spencer, who shared bronze with Kazakhstan’s Alla Tsoy.

Minakov staged a fine comeback to defeat Korea’s Daho Kang in the M-45kg final. Kang outscored his opponent 15-3 in the first round, but Minakov started the second on the front foot and won it 10-2 before triumphing 7-4 in the decider.

India’s Raghuraj Singh was beaten by Minakov in the semi-finals and took bronze along with Greece’s Filippos Kordas, who lost to Kang in the other side of the draw.

Turkiye’s Sena Yilmaz delivered a confident performance to take victory in the W-51kg final, winning the two rounds against the USA’s Taylor Jo Gavin 6-1 and 9-3. Yilmaz dominated the category and did not drop a round on her way, finishing on top of the podium. That included a commanding semi-final victory against Kazakhstan’s Aida Gozhalimova, who earned a bronze medal together with Korea’s Joohyun Seo.

Zhantore Sagyngali of Kazakhstan was the last gold medalist of Day 3, overcoming Ukraine’s Maksym Shulzhenko in the M+65kg final. Sagyngali took the first round 10-4, but Shulzhenko kept his hopes of gold alive with a stunning spinning head kick late in the second round to win it 5-4. That forced a decider, which Sagyngali won 12-6 to seal victory.

Gyumin Kim of Korea was beaten in three rounds by Sagyngali in the semi-finals, while Shulzhenko triumphed over Mexico’s Abraham Heriberto Monarrez Felix.

Golds Shared Once More on Day 4

It was another gripping day of competition at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah, as an Individual Neutral Athlete, Iran, Korea and Uzbekistan all won gold medals.

Medals were shared by players from around the world, showcasing the widespread global reach of elite-level Taekwondo.

AIN Elina Kamalova won the first gold medal of the day in the W-41kg category. She took the first round 6-3 against Serbia’s Mia Buneta, then delivered a superb second round display to triumph 16-4. Kamalova overcame Iran’s Parnia Jafari in the semi-finals, her opponent sharing bronze with Uzbekistan’s Raykhona Asanbaeva. Parham Tarchani Salehan of Iran won an entertaining M-53kg final against Greece’s Vasileios Nikolaou, triumphing 12-9 in the first round and 19-14 in the second.

Both finalists were also involved in high-scoring semi-finalsTarchani Salehan defeated Thailand’s Tanaphat Nithitbowornphak, while Nikolaou staved off the challenge of Poland’s Pawel Bisior. Korea’s Seoyoung Yang delivered an impressive display to take gold in the W+59kg event. She won the first round 13-5, then edged the second 7-6 in the final against Croatia’s Lorena Opačak. Yang had produced a mature performance in the semi-final to prevent her opponent Eylul Duru Varlik of Turkiye from scoring, while Spain’s Angela Balado Conde was also on the podium in joint-third.

The fourth and final gold medal of Day 4 went to Uzbekistan’s Nikita Bibikov, who recovered from losing the first round to win the M-65kg final against Iran’s Amirreza Aghamohammadi. With Aghamohammadi taking the first round 6-4 and leading for much of the second, he had looked the strong favorite for victory. However, Bibikov added vital points in a dramatic finish to win the second round 9-7 and force a decider, which he won 8-4.

Bronze medals went to Turkiye’s Ramazan Sevinç and Korea’s Jioh Jeon.

DAY 4

World Taekwondo Cadet Championships Conclude with Iran, Korea Leading Team Standings

The biggest-ever World Taekwondo Cadet Championships drew to their conclusion in Fujairah, with Iran and Korea finishing top of the men’s and women’s team standings, respectively.

Day 5 saw another widespread medal distribution, with gold medals for an Individual Neutral Athlete, Korea, Iran and Morocco, and Mathes were followed by presentation of overall awards for the championships.

AIN Nikolai Sychev earned gold in the M-41kg, overcoming Dawood Fahad Al-Yusufi whose run to the final made him Oman’s first ever medalist at a World Taekwondo Championships in kyorugi at any age level. Sychev edged Al-Yusufi 13-12 in the first round, then powered to an 18-6 victory in the second. Thailand’s Anawin Promchana and Joshua Lepe of the USA secured the bronze medals.

In the W-37kg final, Korea’s Geunmi Lee impressed with a high-scoring victory against Morocco’s Khadija Amrani, winning the two rounds 18-6 and 13-7. Chatpavee Pornchaithammakhun of Thailand and Belgium’s Alicia Badji were the bronze medalists in that weight category.

Iran’s Parsa Houshyar also scored highly to win the two rounds in the M-57kg final 13-4 and 15-6, beating Kazakhstan’s Ayatzhan Amirkhanov to gold. Azerbaijan’s Saleh Heydarov and Ukraine’s Prokhor Naboka joined the two finalists on the podium with bronze medals.

Samar Lamlih of Morocco was the final gold medalist of the championships, defeating Iran’s Ghazal Kabousi to take W-59kg gold. She clinched the two rounds 10-8 and 18-12. Bronze medals went to Chinese Taipei’s YiSyuan Jhuang Hsu and Serbia’s Anastasija Jerkovic.

President Choue Visits Crown Prince of Fujairah

During World Taekwondo Cadet Championships

World Taekwondo President Dr. Chungwon Choue was received by Crown Prince of Fujairah H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi on the first day of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

The meeting at Al Rumailah Palace in Fujairah was also attended by members of the World Taekwondo Council.

Choue thanked the prince for his patron-

age of the largest-ever World Taekwondo Cadet Championships, with more than 800 athletes from 89 MNAs, AIN athletes and the Refugee Team competing at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah.

The World Taekwondo President detailed the huge success of the recent 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan, and informed the Crown Prince about his emotional visit to the Mahama Refugee Camp in

Rwanda earlier this week.

Later in the day, the Crown Prince attended the Opening Ceremony of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

“We are extremely grateful for the continued support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi,” Choue said. “With the outstanding sports facilities and warm hospitality, Fujairah is the perfect place to bring together our young athletes from around the world at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.”

Last year, Choue presented the crown prince with the first-ever Taekwondo Humanitarian Trophy in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the field of humanitarian work.

He is one of the biggest supporters of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), having generously donated a total of USD 400,000 to support its activities in four separate tranches in 2017, 2020, 2022 and 2024.

Choue, who is also chairman of the THF, offered a personal invitation to the prince to attend next year’s Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan, which will celebrate the THF’s 10th anniversary.

The THF operates a range of activities around the world which empower refugees and displaced people through Taekwondo. It relies on the support of a wide range of donors, and has been recognised within the Olympic Movement as a pioneer in delivering impactful humanitarian activities.

Uzbekistan is surging to the peaks of Taekwondo.

Fueled by the extraordinary success of back-to-back Olympic Champion Ulugbek Rashitov, the sport is booming at all levels in the country.

Sultonbek Nabiev is the latest talent to emerge after his gold medal in the M-37kg on Day 1 of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

He emerges from a solid pipeline: Uzbekistan has now won gold medals at the last four editions of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

And the country’s cadets may take the place of the current generation. “I will try to get more Olympic medals,” than his Olympic hero, Nabiev shared.

Nabiev’s Coach Masum Nazaraliev provided further insight into how Olympic success has fuelled Taekwondo’s popularity in Uzbekistan.

“After the second Olympic gold medal, we had a Taekwondo boom in Uzbekistan,” Nazaraliev said. “We have a lot of Olympic medalists in boxing, but now Taekwondo has a lot of fans and interest from parents, and it is really growing.”

Raised in Tashkent, it took Nabiev time to embrace the sport, but his talent was always evident.

“My grandfather brought me to a Taekwondo session when I was three or four years old,” he said. “In my first year I was not interested in Taekwondo, but year by year when I won medals my interest grew.”

Nazaraliev, who has known Nabiev for many years, immediately recognized Nabiev’s potential. Even prior to the 2025 Cadets, that potential already yielded success.

Fujairah is a city with happy memories for Nabiev: In 2024, he won gold at the Fujairah Open. That helped to put him at ease and perform with confidence during his recent battles.

“It is my first World Championships, but before, I had competed at the Turkish Open and got a silver medal, and a gold medal in Fujairah,” Nabiev said.

“The first time [at the Fujairah Open] I felt a bit uncomfortable because it was my first competition, but this year I felt better. In the World Cadet Championships it felt like home, because I knew about Fujairah and how it would be organized. For me I was comfortable.”

Nabiev described his gold medal as “a dream.”

His next major event will be the Asian Cadet Taekwondo Championships in Kuching, Malaysia in July, but looking further ahead there is another exciting prospect in 2026.

Next year’s World Taekwondo Junior Championships will be held on home soil following the election of Tashkent as the host by the World Taekwondo Council during its meeting in Fujairah before the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

By then, Nabiev will be eligible to compete.

He is targeting another gold medal to accompany the one he won in Fujairah when he does battle on home soil.

“I will continue my training and I will try to get a gold medal in my first year in the Juniors, because next year the World Taekwondo Junior Championships will be in Tashkent,” he said. “I will do my best.”

Fujairah 2025

Tening Faye:

World Taekwondo Cadet Championships

Success Fuels Excitement in Senegal

It is an exciting time for Senegalese Taekwondo. The country has the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on the horizon, and now it has its first-ever medalist at a World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

Tening Faye enjoyed an impressive run to the semi-finals of the W-44kg event in Fujairah to seal a bronze medal.

At the semi-final stage, Faye came up against Ukraine’s Karyna Dovzhanyn. Although she was beaten in a close three-round match by the eventual gold medalist, Faye could reflect on a milestone achievement in Senegal’s Taekwondo history.

“I am very happy. I am glad to have a bronze medal,” she said. “I am very proud of the medal for my country.”

Although she felt some pre-competition nerves on her debut at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships, Faye handled the occasion in an assured manner. She had targeted winning a medal before the start of the event, and feels she is capable of achieving more.

“I was sure I was going to the semi-final or the final, I had that feeling,” Faye said. “I was a little bit nervous before the competition, but when the competition started I felt better.”

She almost made it all the way.

“Just before the semi-final, I felt like I wanted and could win gold,” she recalled. “The semi-final is just one step more to the final.”

Faye hopes her success can inspire upcoming talent within Senegalese Taekwondo, and encourage more young people to practice the sport in the country.

“I think this will inspire the younger generation, and more people will go and practice Taekwondo in Senegal,” she commented.

The sport’s profile looks set to be enhanced by next year’s Youth Olympic Games in Senegal’s capital Dakar – the first-ever Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent. With 11 medal events, Taekwondo will be the third-largest sport on the program.

Faye is targeting success beyond Dakar 2026 and seeks to gather maximum experience, given her relatively short history in the sport.

She only began practicing Taekwondo two years ago having discovered she “just liked it the most.” Now, she trains four hours each day, in two separate blocks.

Faye is grateful for her coaches’ and friends’ support on her journey to becoming her country’s first World Taekwondo Cadet Championships medalist. Her experience in Fujairah means she is able to provide advice to aspiring young athletes.

“My advice for the young generation is to respect coaches, trainers and parents, and to train more with more discipline,” she advised. “Everything will be okay!”

The Pathway to Historic Gold for El Salvador Christopher Andre Astorga Melgar:

The World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah will be remembered for Christopher Andre Astorga Melgar’s extraordinary triumph in the M-49kg: He won the first medal in any kyorugi age category at any World Championships for El Salvador.

Astorga Melgar faced Turkiye’s Yunus Ali Körpe in the final, scoring vital late points in both the first and third rounds to earn a dramatic victory.

“Excited, nervous, but I was really sure of what I was going to do in the next movements,” is how he describes his emotions at those crucial moments.

“When I came to the World Championships, the expectation was a medal, but I did not know which one,” he said.

“When I reached the semi-finals, I decided I wanted the gold medal, 100%.”

Astorga Melgar has practiced Taekwondo for eight years, and cites Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships Medalist CJ Nickolas of the USA as his hero in the sport. He shared an insight into the beginnings of his remarkable journey.

“My mom saw I was an electric boy, so she thought Taekwondo could be a really good idea. She connected me with the sport,” Astorga Melgar said.

He trains for two hours each day at Escuela de Taekwondo Leones in El Salvador.

He understands the importance of learning from setbacks.

“I had some defeats, but now this is a really big opportunity to grow because I won the gold medal,” he said. “It was a process.”

He offered some advice for fellow up-and-comers who may be discouraged.

“The first thing is don’t give up: Be hungry about the dream, focus on the dream,” he said. “If you start to know how to lose, you can have a better win.”

Astorga Melgar is targeting further success at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar next year.

Khamzaalper Romashkin:

Perseverance Leads Romashkin to Gold at World Taekwondo Cadet Championships

The opening day of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah ended in dramatic style as Kazakhstan’s Khamzaalper Romashkin won M-61kg gold in a tight, thrilling final.

Romashkin’s low-scoring 3-0 victory in the first round of the final provided no indication of the drama that was to follow. His opponent Nikola Samardzic of Canada hit back to edge the second, 9-8. In the high-scoring decider, Romashkin held his nerve to outscore Samardzic 1715 and claim a remarkable gold medal. It was a lesson in persistence and perseverance. Those are qualities Romashkin hopes will help him to fulfill his career goals beyond the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships - including ultimately becoming Olympic champion.

“I learned to aim for more than I achieve now, so maybe junior champion, then world champion in the senior category - and to never give up,” he said, reflecting on his experience in Fujairah.

Raised in Shymkent, Romashkin began practicing Taekwondo in 2021 having been encouraged to try the sport by his older brother. It was a perfect match.

He cites his idol Samirkhon Ababakirov, who made his Olympic debut representing Kazakhstan at Paris 2024.

“I love his Taekwondo style!” Romashkin said.

Kazakhstan had two gold medalists at the previous World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, two years prior. Romashkin has continued his nation’s winning theme and ensured the future remains bright for Taekwondo in Kazakhstan.

“The level of Taekwondo in Kazakhstan is growing, with three cadet world champions,” Romashkin said. “After me and the other champions, a lot of people will be motivated to practice Taekwondo.” Kazakhstan’s presence in global Taekwondo looks set to grow further: Its capital, Astana, has been awarded the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final and World Taekwondo Gala Awards.

Yen Wu of

traveled to Fujairah for the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships knowing she was a stronger athlete from her experience at the event two years ago in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On that occasion in 2023, Wu had exited at the firstround stage, so perhaps some nerves going into this year’s edition were understandable.

They quickly dissipated with her impressive performances on the mats of the Zayed Sports Complex.

Those displays ultimately took her all the way to an impressive gold in the W-55kg category after she overcame her opponent after two closely contested rounds in the final.

“Before this competition, I simply wanted to get any medal, and reach the semi-final,” Wu said.

In the previous edition, “I lost in my first match, so this time I was really nervous and scared for the first round,” she recalled. “But then when I got to the semi-finals, I became looser and was able to do the duels and actions that my coach taught me.”

Wu has the Olympic Games as her ultimate career goal.

En route, she is grateful for the experience she has already gained from competing at international events - including her two battles at two separate World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

“I felt very excited of course. It was unbelievable to get to this stage, and I feel I have advanced to another level,” she said of her triumph in Fujairah.

Wu’s family have had a huge influence on her career. Her brother also practices Taekwondo, and was the one who first encouraged her to give

for

it a try when she was six.

She now trains for approximately three hours per day, six days a week. She acknowledged the importance of her support framework.

“First of all was my family, because all the way through the journey they supported me. Even when I was down, they still encouraged me,” Wu said.

“Secondly is my coach, who has been calling me and asking about everything the whole time.”

Wu’s experience has taught her the importance of being brave “to face any challenges”, but she insists developing in Taekwondo should ,above all, remain enjoyable for young people.

“I encourage all the people that learning Taekwondo should be a fun thing, so they should not be afraid of anything,” Wu commented.

The 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships provided a platform for athletes born between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2013 to fight in a major international competition and prepare themselves for what lies ahead.

One young athlete who seized the opportunity to full effect was Turkiye’s Sena Yilmaz, who earned gold in the W-51kg category.

She did not drop a single round on her way to victory in Fujairah. It proved a highly valuable experience.

“I had a lot of experience. Just to see this organization [of the event] is a success,” Yilmaz said. “I expected at least a bronze medal. I had to do that, I told myself.”

Gold was a big bonus. “I am so happy,” she said.

Yilmaz first began practicing Taekwondo after moving to the city of Bursa at the age of 11, and is

Sena Yilmaz:

Earning Experience at Cadet Championships on Road to Olympic Dream

grateful for the support of a wide range of people who have helped her along her journey.

“I wanted to [do Taekwondo], but my mother was looking for a club. She supported me,” she said.

“My family, my team mates, my club mates, my coach, my friends, my school friends – they all supported me.”

Yilmaz trains as regularly as she can. Her devotion to Taekwondo is evident from how she balances sport with her studies.

“Some days I train twice, some days I need to get permission from my school to do training in the morning and evening,” she said.

Her mantra, which she encourages young athletes who want to follow in her footsteps to take on board, is that perseverance breeds confidence.

“Don’t give up, practice all the time, because you have to believe,” she said.

After Fujairah, the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar is the next milestone for Yilmaz.

“Absolutely, for the Olympics I want to compete with my flag,” she said. “I want to be an Olympian, maybe next year at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar… I will just focus to take the gold medal again.”

“I am very proud of the medal for my country,” said Faye after the competition. “I think this will inspire the younger generation, and more people will go and practice Taekwondo in Senegal.”

The Olympic Solidarity Taekwondo Camp, held from April 15-23, is part of a broader effort to support young athletes on the pathway to Dakar 2026.

The camp aims to help develop young African talent through expert training, with the goal of seeing them compete at the YOG and, ultimately, future Olympic Games.

DAKAR 2026 ONE YEAR TO GO:

how the IOC is supporting young athletes on the road to the Youth Olympic Games

With one year to go to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, one young Senegalese athlete has already given the host nation reason to celebrate. With support from the International Olympic Committee, through its Olympic Solidarity program, Tening Faye made history earlier this year by becoming the first Senegalese athlete to win a medal at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

KEY FACTS

How did Faye’s journey lead to a historic medal? Her bronze medal in the -44kg category was the result of talent, determination – and timely support. Ahead of the competition, she took part in a Taekwondo training camp in Dakar, organized by World Taekwondo and supported by the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity program.

The camp gave her access to expert coaching and high-level preparation, helping her reach the semifinals in Fujairah, where she came up against the eventual gold medalist from Ukraine.

This second edition of the camp, following its launch in 2024, brought together 36 young athletes and nine national team coaches from Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan and Gambia.

Participants took part in daily technical sessions led by World Taekwondo instructors, a Virtual Taekwondo competition day, and coach education sessions designed to strengthen coaching expertise across the region.

“We are proud to continue this initiative, which not only nurtures athletic talent but also promotes the Olympic spirit and cultural understanding,” said World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue.

Although Faye was narrowly defeated in a close threeround match, her performance secured a historic podium finish for Senegal.

Beyond the World Taekwondo camp, many more young athletes across Africa are benefiting from Olympic Solidarity support as they prepare for Dakar 2026.

Working closely with International Federations, Olympic Solidarity supports a wide range of youth-focused activities in Senegal and beyond – from training camps, mini competitions and coaching and athlete entourage education to longer-term projects that help strengthen national sports structures.

Through this collaboration, IFs such as World Taekwondo receive targeted funding to organize athlete preparation initiatives, with a particular focus on federations that typically have smaller delegations at Olympic events.

Ahead of Dakar 2026, investment in youth programs has been expanded, with a particular focus on African National Olympic Committees and sports on the Dakar 2026 program.

Through its Youth Athlete Development program, Olympic Solidarity offers NOCs various types of support:

• Help in identifying and training young athletes;

• Financial support for athletes taking part in participation pathway events; and

• Flexible training and competition opportunities delivered by IFs for selected athletes, coaches and officials.

• In some cases, it also offers a targeted technical course for coaches and athletes’ entourage members.

This growing network of support is helping ensure that more young athletes like Faye have the opportunity to train, compete and shine on the international stage.

Olympic Solidarity is an IOC program that provides assistance to all NOCs, with a particular focus on those with the greatest need.

This support is delivered through a range of programs that prioritize athlete development, as well as the training of coaches and sports administrators, and the promotion of the Olympic values.

For the 2025–2028 cycle, Olympic Solidarity has a development and assistance budget of USD 650 million, funded by the share of broadcast rights from recent Olympic Games that belong to the NOCs. Olympic Solidarity redistributes these funds through programs offered to all NOCs recognized by the IOC.

Now, with less than one year to go until the Dakar 2026 YOG, athletes like Faye are already showing what’s possible when this kind of support is in place – and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from Oct. 31- Nov. 13, 2026, bringing together 2,700 of the world’s best young athletes up to the age of 17. The Games will be held across three host sites in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

Championships Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo

A press conference at the World Hotel Grand Juna three days before the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships - the largest edition of the event ever - drew strong interest from Chinese media given that China was hosting the event for the first time since Beijing 2007.

Speakers included World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue; World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo; World Taekwondo Technical Delegate Philippe Bouedo; Vice President of the Chinese Taekwondo Association Zhong Chen; and Director of the Wuxi Municipal Sports Bureau Yi Chen.

Local athletes Zhaoxun Cai (bronze medalist at the Da Nang 2024 Asian Taekwondo Championships) and Chuling Zhang (silver medalist at the Wuxi 2024 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge) also attended, alongside World Taekwondo vice presidents and Council members.

On Oct. 23, the World Taekwondo General Assembly will convene to elect the organization’s leadership for the 2025-2029 term.

With record participation and strong domestic engagement, the Wuxi 2025 promises to be a landmark event celebrating both athletic excellence and the sport’s enduring global values.

“With a record 991 athletes from 180 MNAs + AIN + WT + Refugee Team, this championship will once again demonstrate Taekwondo’s remarkable global growth and spirit of unity,” Choue said. “Wuxi is set to witness another historic moment.” Chen vowed to provide the best possible venues and support, while the two local athletes expressed their determination to uphold the values of friendship and fair play. Competition is set for Oct. 24-30 at the Wuxi Taihu International Expo Center. In addition to the kyorugi, the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team will perform, a showcase will take place with Hong Kong World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships medalists, and a Virtual Taekwondo Experience Zone will be offered for fans.

Head of Team Meeting

The customary Head of Team Meeting was held at the World Hotel Grand Juna on Oct. 22, ahead of the opening of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships, set for Oct. 24-30. The upcoming event is the largest edition of the championships ever held. Some 991 athletes have registered from 180 Member National Associations. They will be joined on the field of play by members of the World

World Taekwondo Championships Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the World Taekwondo Championships was held at the Wuxi Taihu International Expo Center, showcasing the culture of the host city, highlighting the values of Taekwondo and welcoming guests from around the world.

WT President Chungwon Choue and WT Council members were joined at the ceremony by honored guests IOC Member Ng Ser Miang, Mayor of Wuxi Jiang Feng, and Director General of the Boxing and Taekwondo Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and President of the Chinese Taekwondo Association, Zhang Zhi.

“After 18 years since Beijing 2007, the World Taekwondo Championships are back in China in beautiful Wuxi, the City of Vitality,” Choue said. “991 athletes and 816 officials have registered to come to Wuxi, making this the largest world championships to date.”

“We also welcome the World Taekwondo Refugee Team, who inspire us with their determination to achieve success,” he continued. “To all athletes: Showcase your dynamism and talents! Announce yourself to the world!”

“Here, on behalf of the Wuxi Municipal Government and its 7.5 million residents, I extend our warmest welcome to all the guests and participants who have traveled from afar,” Feng said. “We express our sincere gratitude to World Taekwondo, the Chinese Taekwondo Association, and the Provincial Sports Bureau for their trust and guidance.

“On behalf of the Chinese Taekwondo Association, I extend our warmest welcome and most sincere greetings to the World Taekwondo officials and our global Taekwondo family,” Zhang said. “We extend our deepest gratitude and highest respect to all members of the Wuxi Organizing Committee, staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly in preparing for this event, as well as to the government departments at all levels and all sectors of society that have provided strong support for the event.”

IOC President Kirsty Coventry delivered a video message offering her best wishes.

The ceremony featured a spectacular demo by the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team; performances showcasing the culture and beauty of Wuxi, the parade of nations, a rendition of the Chinese national anthem; and oaths from athletes, coaches and referee representatives.

Brazil, Korea, Win Golds in Sizzling Start

to Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

The Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships began with a day of thrilling competition from the world’s best athletes in the W-57kg and M+87kg weight categories, with Brazil’s Maria Clara Pacheco and Korea’s Sanghyun Kang claiming the gold medals. Since her bronze medal at the 2023 Worlds in Baku, Pacheco has risen to number one in her weight category. She has enjoyed an outstanding season with back-to-back World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge victories in Charlotte and Muju, but Wuxi provided a crowning moment for the 22-year-old as she beat Olympic Champion Yujin Kim of Korea in two rounds in the W-57kg final.

Kang was M-87kg gold medalist at the Baku 2023 Worlds, but moved up a weight category in Wuxi. He put in an impressive performance against Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Rafail Aiukaev in the M+87kg final. Although the powerful Aiukaev dominated the first round, Kang hit back brilliantly and celebrated a memorable victory.

Pacheco began the first round with a body kick to give her a two-point lead. She defended strongly for much of the round, and although Kim was able to respond with a body kick of her own, it was not enough to deny Pacheco the lead.

That was followed by a captivating second round which ebbed and flowed. Pacheco conceded four gamjeoms and Kim had two head kicks awarded on video review, but the power and precision of the Brazilian took her to triumph 12-10 and take gold in her World Taekwondo Championships debut. Pacheco’s route to the final included a confident win in the semi-finals against hometown favorite Zongshi Luo of China, the gold medalist at the Guadalajara 2022 World Taekwondo Championships and now bronze medalist in Wuxi. Kim enjoyed a resounding semi-final victory against Jordan’s Fadia Khirfan, but her opponent was able to claim a commendable bronze in her debut at a senior event.

Aiukaev, a World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge winner on his last visit to Wuxi in Dec. 2024, had the better of the first round, dominating proceedings with a series of punches and body kicks to give him a healthy lead, eventually winning it, 7-5. Kang hit back strongly in the second and stormed into an 8-0 lead. Aiukaev responded, pulled the scores to 8-7 and piled the pressure on Kang, but the Korean held on in the remaining seconds to take the match to a decider. Kang delivered an assured display in the third round, taking an early lead and managing the contest superbly to clinch it 6-2. His victory in the final followed on from a superb performance to beat the top seed Jonathan Healy of the USA in the semis, while Aiukaev was equally impressive in overcoming Great Britain’s Olympic Silver Medalist Caden Cunningham.

Chinese Taipei, Tunisia, Grab Golds

on Day 2 of Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Day 2 of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships saw gold medals won by You-Yun Liu of Chinese Taipei in the W-49kg category and Tunisia’s Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi in the M-63kg event.

Liu - the gold medalist at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge in Charlotte, USA in June - won the W-49kg final in dramatic fashion against Elif Sude Akgul of Turkiye, who performed valiantly while competing with an injury.

After a silver and a bronze at the last two Olympics in the M-58kg category, along with bronze at the Guadalajara 2022 Worlds, Jendoubi finished on top of the podium in Wuxi in the M-63kg. He won the final after his opponent Mahdi Hajimousaei of Iran withdrew in the first round with injury.

The W-49kg started as a low-scoring contest. It was Akgul who edged a scoreless first round, despite feeling the effects of an injury sustained in the semifinals against China’s Xiaolu Fu.

Liu took control of the second round with a head kick, and was able to close it out 6-3 to take the match to a deciding round. The third round remained scoreless with less than 10 seconds remaining - until Liu produced a brilliant and decisive head kick to clinch gold in her World Taekwondo Championships debut.

Earlier in the day, Liu had defeated Kazakhstan’s Nodira Akhmedova in the semis. Akgul had also performed strongly throughout, beating home favorite Fu in the semi-finals.

-63kg

The final ended in the first round after Hajimousaei sustained an injury, leaving Jendoubi to take the gold medal.

Jendoubi had earlier benefitted from a walkover in the semi-finals, after Mahmoud Altaryreh of Jordan was unable to compete due to concussion sustained in his quarterfinal. Hajimousaei had excelled earlier, producing a sublime performance to win his semi against Korea’s Jun Jang, the former world champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympics bronze medalist at M-58kg.

Korea, Belgium and Egypt Triumph

on Day 3 of Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Day 3 of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships produced outstanding competition in all three events.

Korea’s Eunsu Seo claimed a stunning M-54kg gold, and Belgium’s Sarah Chaari and Egypt’s Seif Eissa both climbed weight categories to triumph in the W-73kg and M-87kg categories, respectively.

Seo was a star performer throughout the day in Wuxi, and won a closely contested final against Furkan Ubeyde Camoglu of Turkiye to take gold in his World Taekwondo Championships debut. Chaari added to her glittering list of honors by overcoming debutant Kimi Laurene Ossin of Cote d’Ivoire, while veteran Eissa enjoyed the biggest victory of his career in an incredible final against Italy’s Simone Alessio.

-73kg M-54kg

The high-scoring Seo was crowned world champion without dropping a round, his win in the final following an equally impressive win against Uzbekistan’s Jakhongir Khudayberdiev in the semis. The final against European Champion Çamoglu saw Seo edging out both rounds. His head kicking proved a constant threat, and enabled him to build a solid lead in the first round and ultimately take it 14-12. A tight Round 2 went 8-7 in Seo’s favor, cueing celebrations for Korea’s second gold medal in Wuxi. Camoglu’s run to the final included an entertaining semi-final victory against Greece’s Aristeidis Nikolaos Psarros in two rounds.

WorldTaekwondo Championships Wuxi2025

WTop seed Chaari, the 2022 champion at W-62kg and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist at W-67kg, enjoyed yet more success, having moved up another weight category, with a captivating victory in the W-73kg final against Ossin.

Chaari narrowly took the first round 3-2, but Ossin won the second round 12-8 in dramatic fashion in the closing seconds to force a decider. A controlled display in the third round from Chaari enabled her to clinch it 5-3 and seal her second World title.

Earlier in the day, Chaari had underlined her credentials at W-73kg with a huge quarter-final victory against France’s Althea Laurin, defending world champion in the weight category and W+67kg Olympic gold medalist in Paris. She then overcame China’s Zeqi Zhou in a tight semi-final.

Ossin’s debut at the senior World Taekwondo Championships saw her stave off the challenge of Turkiye’s second seed Sude Yaren Uzuncavdar in the semi-finals.

M-87kg

Eissa overcame Alessio in a thrilling final which saw all three rounds settled in the closing seconds.

Alessio had looked set to take the first round, but a late flurry saw Eissa turn it around to win it 5-2. He was then moments away from victory in the second, before it was Alessio’s turn to score late and triumph 3-2 to force a third round. The decider was equally close, but gold went the way of Eissa as he won it 2-1.

This was an especially sweet moment for the Egyptian, who had won bronze medals at M-80kg at both of the last two Worlds and also at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He had overcome Poland’s Szymon Piątkowski in the semis. Silver medalist Alessio triumphed in the M-74kg at Manchester 2019 and M-80kg at Baku 2023, so was seeking the rare feat of gold medals in three different weight categories at the Worlds. His route to the final had included a superb win against Artem Harbar of Ukraine in the semis.

The sound of the Egyptian national anthem at the World Taekwondo Championships has been a long time coming.

“For Egypt, it is history – it has been 28 years since we last won a gold medal, which was before I was born,” Seif Eissa noted after he became the man to end that wait in Wuxi, with victory in the M-87kg.

The veteran player has routinely competed for medals at major events, winning bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and at the Guadalajara 2022 and Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships in the M-80kg category.

But gold had proved elusive until he moved up a weight category. As Wuxi gold ranks as one of the highlights of his career, but he has been a regular on podiums worldwide.

“Consistency is the best thing for me,” he said. “I was thinking before that getting one gold medal at the World Championships was good. After I achieved it, I think it is more than good. It is the best feeling.”

Eissa was philosophical when he considered why Wuxi 2025 was his crowning moment.

“It is not about the performance, it is about God’s plan. Sometimes God’s plan is not for today,” he said. “Sometimes you are in the best shape and do not achieve...but this time God’s plan was the gold medal.”

In terms of conditioning and game plan it had been a regular day at the office. “There was nothing new,” he said. “I had the same attitude.”

On an intense Day 3 in Wuxi, Eissa was up against another Taekwondo great - Italy’s Simone Alessio.

Consistency the Key for Egyptian Veteran

The contest went the distance, and all three rounds were settled in the closing seconds. Eissa had been moments away from an outright victory in the second round, only for his opponent to score a flurry of late points. He was able to hit back and win the decider.

“When I got to the final, my coach told me, ‘Don’t rush for the gold medal and don’t see it as one opportunity.’ He told me to take it easy and treat it like a normal fight,” Eissa said. “It was very hard because I was just a few seconds from winning and then [Alessio] won the second There was only one round left for the day, one round left to become world champion.

“I tried to take it easy, to breathe, to tell myself no problem - I have to find another plan, but have this calm mind so I do not have too much pressure,” he continued. “This happened and I won the third round.”

His pre-fight move up in weight from M-80kg had been a challenge.

“The change was not easy because you have to gain muscles and be bigger, because you are fighting against really tall people,” he said. “I started to achieve some goals of the body and the weight, but it is really different moving from the M-80kg.

“For me, M-80kg was one of the best and toughest of all the categories. Now M-87kg was different, but God helped me to manage everything,” he said. “It is a new challenge, but I will move again to the heavyweight for the Olympic category, so I like these challenges because they make me more hungry.”

Eissa believes that Taekwondo in Egypt is on the rise, and hopes his success in Wuxi can provide encouragement to young people in the country.

“It means a lot to the Egyptians, because when you win a medal you inspire a new generation, the people, and the parents who send their daughters and their sons to Taekwondo,” he said. “The Ministry in Egypt is starting to invest more in Taekwondo because we are winning more medals at the Olympics and World Championships, so it is very good for Taekwondo in Egypt to win one gold medal.”

After his historic success, Eissa intends to take the same grounded approach prioritizing consistency in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“I don’t think too much about the goal, I think about the process and the progress I have to make: My job is to work, not to win a gold medal,” he said. “If God gives it to me, he gives it to me.”

Even so, there are tough days ahead.

“For two and a half years, you have to train every day, you have to keep your body without injury, recover well, eat and sleep well: This is not easy,” he said. “I have to do my job and if the medal comes I am very happy. If it does not come, I am also very happy for the journey.”

Double Joy for Turkiye, 1st Gold for Brazil

on Day 4 at Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Turkiye celebrated two gold medals on the fourth day of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships through Emine Gogebakan in the W-46kg and Nafia Kus Aydin in the W+73kg, while Brazil’s Henrique Marques Rodrigues Fernandes earned a memorable victory in the M-80kg.

Gogebakan earned the first gold against Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Milana Bekulova in the W-46kg final. The W+73kg final brought together two decorated athletes in Kus Aydin and Uzbekistan’s Svetlana Osipova in a repeat of their gold medal match at the Baku Worlds. Sandwiched in between those two finals was a thrilling conclusion to the M-80kg weight category, won by Rodrigues Fernandes against China’s Qizhang Xiang.

W-46kg

Gogebakan earned an impressive victory in two rounds against Bekulova, showing great maturity to prevent her opponent from scoring in the first round and take it 5-0, before getting the better of Bekulova in the second and winning it 7-4.

That rounded off a neat treble for Gogebakan, a bronze medalist at the Baku 2014 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships, silver medalist at the Hammamet 2018 World Taekwondo Junior Championships and now gold medalist in Wuxi.

Earlier, she had overcome Kazakhstan’s Aidana Kumartayeva in her semifinal, while in the other half of the draw, Bekulova earned a fine win against China’s Asian champion Shiyi Wang.

W+73kg

The W+73kg was another star-studded field, ending with a titanic clash between Kus Aydin and Osipova, who won bronze and silver respectively at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris. Ultimately, it went the same way as in Baku two years ago: The Turk recovered from losing the first round to defend her title.

Osipova edged the first round 3-2, but Kus Aydin used all her experience to stay in the contest and take the second, which finished 5-5. That led to a decider, which Kus Aydin clinched 6-0. She had not dropped a round en route to the final, including an assured display in the semis against Great Britain’s Lauren Williams. Osipova meanwhile was involved in three intriguing matches which went to three rounds leading up to the final, including her semi against Wenzhe Mu of China, the Grand Prix Challenge winner in Charlotte.

M-80kg

Rodrigues Fernandes triumphed in a hotly contested M-80kg weight category, claiming several notable victories along the way. In the quarterfinals, he beat the popular CJ Nickolas of USA, and then overcame a tough challenge from AIN Artem Mytarev in the semis, setting up the final against home favorite Qizhang Xiang.

Xiang had won a three-round thriller against Korea’s Geonwoo Seo in the semi-finals.

Seo had earlier defeated Olympic Champion Firas Katousi of Tunisia in the quarter-final, underlining the strength and depth of talent in the -80kg division.

Both rounds in the final were closely fought, but it was Rodrigues Fernandes who edged the first 2-1 and then won a scoreless second to earn Brazil’s first gold medal of Wuxi 2025.

Hungary, Thailand, Strike First Gold Medals

of Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships on day five

M-68kg

After winning silver in the M-63kg weight category in Baku, Tubtimdang went one better in the M-68kg in Wuxi as he produced a fine victory against Seong, who emerged as one of the stars of Wuxi 2025 with a series of eye-catching performances.

Tubtimdang scored highly throughout the day and that continued in the first round of the final, which he won 10-5. The second round was closely fought, but Tubtimdang was strong on the counterattack in the closing stages as Seong pushed for points, and he took it 7-1 to seal gold.

Hungary’s Luana Marton won the W-67kg on Day 5 at the World Taekwondo Championships, while Banlung Tubtimdang of Thailand triumphed in the M-68kg. Both athletes won their country’s first gold medals at Wuxi 2025, with Marton crowned world champion for the second time at the age of 19. She overcame Milena Titoneli of Brazil in the W-57kg final. Spain’s Lena Moreno Reyes and Nigeria’s Elizabeth Oluchi Anyanacho took the bronzes.

Tubtimdang beat Korea’s Yuhyeon Seong in the M-68kg final, while bronze medals went to Croatia’s Matija Crep and the USA’s Maikol Rodriguez.

W-67kg

Marton triumphed at Baku 2023 in the W-57kg category, and was equally as impressive having moved up to W-67kg in Wuxi. An outstanding first round of the final against Titoneli saw her control proceedings to win it 8-1, and although the second round was closer, Marton defended well and edged it 2-1 to take gold. The semifinal had pitted her against Reyes, the Grand Prix Challenge gold medalist in Charlotte and bronze medalist in Muju.

In the other half of the draw, Titoneli had claimed a dramatic victory against Anyanacho in the deciding third round of the semifinal.

Day 5

He had earlier won his two rounds of the semi-final 6-4 and 16-3 against Crep. Seong was involved in an intriguing semi which went the distance against Rodriguez, and he took a tight deciding round 2-1 to seal his place in the final.

Tunisia, Iran, Clinch Memorable Victories

on day six of Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Tunisia’s Masghouni Wafa in the W-62kg and Iran’s Abolfazl Zandi in the M-58kg were the gold medalists on Day 6 of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships.

Wafa claimed a stunning victory over the reigning W-67kg Olympic Champion Viviana Marton of Hungary to triumph on her debut at the World Taekwondo Championships and earn Tunisia’s second gold medal of the event. Australia won their first medal in Wuxi through Gabriella Blewitt’s bronze; she was joined on the podium by China’s Ximin Chen.

Iran’s first gold medal of Wuxi 2025 came courtesy of Zandi, who overcame Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Georgii Gurtsiev in the M-58kg final, his opponent taking silver in his second successive World Taekwondo Championships. China’s Kefen Huang and Azerbaijan’s Gashim Magomedov were bronze medalists.

-62kg

Marton had been in imperious form all day as she aimed to follow in the footsteps of her sister Luana, who won gold in the W-67kg category on Day 5. She did not lose a round on her way to the final, including her semi-final win against Chen.

In the gold-medal match, Marton had looked set to take the first round, having led throughout, but Wafa stayed in the contest: In the closing seconds she produced a brilliant body kick to tie at 7-7 and win round 1 on superiority. Round 2 finished level, remaining scoreless, but Wafa triumphed on superiority again - and went on to celebrate victory.

She had earlier beaten Blewitt in the semifinals.

-58kg

2022 World Junior Champion Zandi had impressed throughout the day, and claimed gold with a superb performance in the final. He demonstrated great discipline and control in the first round to beat Gurtsiev 7-3, and a thrilling second round saw both athletes in search of points, with Zandi taking it 12-8.

Zandi had earlier beaten the home favorite Huang, who won China’s seventh bronze and eighth medal overall at the World Taekwondo Championships.

Gurtsiev matched the silver he won at the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships, and his day included a fine victory against M-58kg Olympic Silver Medalist Magomedov.

Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships concludes with Triumphs

for Turkiye, Uzbekistan

Day 7 of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships concluded with gold medals for Turkiye’s Merve Dincel Kavurat in the W-53kg and Uzbekistan’s Najmiddin Kosimkhojiev in the M-74kg.

Dincel Kavurat added to her W-49kg gold from the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships, and sealed her country’s place at the top of the Wuxi 2025 medal standings. Turkiye’s third gold was secured through her victory against Dunya Ali Abutaleb of Saudi Arabia in the final, with Egypt’s Jana Khattab and China’s Chuling Zhang taking bronzes. Kosimkhojiev won the last match of Wuxi 2025, sealing Uzbekistan’s first gold against Brazil’s Edival Pontes. Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Magomed Abdusalamov and Iran’s Amir Sina Bakhtiari earned the bronze medals.

W-53kg

Dincel Kavurat’s second World Taekwondo Championship gold came with an entertaining victory against top seed Abutaleb in the final.

The defending champion pinched the first round from her opponent, striking with a flurry of late points to win 6-2. She then produced a controlled display in the second, preventing Abutaleb from scoring and winning 2-0.

Earlier in the day, Dincel Kavurat had beaten second seed Jana Khattab of Egypt in the semifinals. In the other half of the draw, Abutaleb overcame Zhang in the semi-finals.

M-74kg

Kosimkhojiev’s debut at the Worlds produced the perfect result as he overcame Olympic Bronze Medalist Pontes to win gold.

The final featured two closely fought rounds, but Kosimkhojiev edged them both 4-2 and 5-3 for victory. He had earlier won a thrilling semifinal against AIN Abdusalamov in three rounds, while Pontes beat Bakhtiari in two rounds.

The seventh and final day of high-impact Taekwondo action brought Wuxi 2025 to its close.

Outstanding Performances Recognised

The Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships officially concluded with a closing ceremony, where awards were presented that recognize outstanding achievements throughout the competition.

Athletes from 27 MNAs plus AIN won medals in Wuxi, with Turkiye topping the medal table with three golds. Brazil, Korea and Tunisia each collected two.

WT President Chungwon Choue and WT Council members were joined at the ceremony by President of the Chinese Taekwondo Association Zhi Zhang and Deputy Mayor of the Wuxi Municipal People’s Government Lu Min.

“Over the past days, we have witnessed the best of Taekwondo: passion, respect, and perseverance,” Choue said. “As we conclude this remarkable journey, let us continue to carry the values of Taekwondo – peace, respect, and harmony – to every corner of the world.”

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to World Taekwondo for the trust and support extended to Wuxi,” Lu said. “On behalf of the Wuxi Municipal People’s Government, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings to all athletes and coaches, heartfelt congratulations to the teams and individuals who have achieved outstanding results, and sincere

thanks to the referees for their dedication and impartiality, as well as to all staff, volunteers, and support teams who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”

“I would also like to offer my highest respect to our friends from around the world who have traveled great distances to join us!” she added.

The results of the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Committee election were also announced at the Closing Ceremony. All registered athletes in Wuxi were entitled to vote for one male and one female candidate. The candidate with the highest number of votes for each gender was elected to the committee.

The two chosen were Mehmet Kani Polat (Turkiye) and Bianca Cook (Great Britain).

The next World Taekwondo Championships will be hosted by Astana, Kazakhstan in 2027. The World Taekwondo flag handover took place during the ceremony.

Persistence Pays off for Tunisia’s 1st World Champ

Tunisia has had a generation of great athletes in Taekwondo, with three medalists across the last three Olympic Games.

Yet before Wuxi 2025, the country did not have a senior world champion. In many ways, it was fitting that Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi was the athlete who etched his name into the history books with his M-63kg gold in China. He has come so close on multiple occasions to a victory on the biggest stage – silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, bronze at the Guadalajara 2022 World Taekwondo Championships, and bronze at Paris 2024.

He previously fought in the M-58kg category. This year, he moved up to M-63kg.

“Always if I lose in a semi-final or the final, when I come back to Tunisia I say to myself I should train more and focus more,” Jendoubi said.

“After any competition, I should train more and always want to work on the mental more than the physical. If I focus more in competition, then I train more. If you are ready in your mind to get the gold, you will take it.”

Jendoubi was disappointed at the 2023 Worlds in Baku, losing in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Junseo Bae of Korea.

“When I lose, I give myself one day to think about why I lost and to be angry, and then the next day I restart more training and learn from my mistakes,” he said. “When I came to Wuxi, I focused on all my mistakes to not do them again.”

Jendoubi faced an unusual route to gold in Wuxi. He recorded an impressive victory against top seed Samirkhon Ababakirov of Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals, then had a walkover in the semi-finals as his opponent was unable to compete due to concussion.

Then the final against Mahdi Hajimousaei of Iran proved short-lived: The Iranian sustained an injury.

“It is good for me if I am not fighting because I get more rest and can prepare for the final, but if there was a semi-final I would fight the semi-final and final and reach my dream,” he said. “I prepared for anyone, so I was ready to fight in the final.”

There have been huge celebrations in Tunisia. Many supporters had been watching him from the early hours.

“I received many messages from fans, friends and my family, they are all proud of me,” he said.

“It was a long day. They watched at 2AM, and they are so happy for my gold medal.”

Looking ahead, after earlier Olympic medals, he is targeting the full set at Los Angeles 2028.

“I got the silver and the bronze, so maybe now I should take the gold!”

Jendoubi said.

Akhmedova Heads Home on a High, Hefting Historic Medal for Kazakhstan

Nazgul Tazhigulova’s bronze in the W-49kg weight category at Beijing 2007 was the last time a female athlete from Kazakhstan had won a medal at the Worlds. On the event’s return to China, in Wuxi 18 years later, Nodira Akhmedova repeated that feat, achieving an identical result: bronze in the W-49kg.

It has been a remarkable rise for the 20-yearold, who in June 2024 was just 317th in the world rankings for the category. She has since climbed to ninth.

That was helped by a silver medal at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge in Charlotte, USA in June and a bronze in Muju, Korea, separated by a bronze at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

“Every competition is a very big experience,” Akhmedova said, reflecting on how her fine season had prepared her for Wuxi. “Every victory helps take me to the next level, and I try to

make fewer mistakes each time.”

Now she is targeting the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and the LA 2028 Olympics.

“My dream is the next Asian Games and the Olympic Games, because we haven’t had a female medalist in Taekwondo at the Olympics. I want to be the first,” she said.

Akhmedova acknowledged the strength of the competition in Wuxi, and is determined to continue fine-tuning her performances.

“At the World Championships all the athletes are strong. The quarterfinal was a very hard fight, but I was very focused in the quarterfinal and wanted to win,” Akhmedova said.

“Back in Kazakhstan, I will work with my coaches on the semi-finals and my mistakes,” she said.

Her medal, comes at the perfect time, with Kazakhstan’s capital Astana to host the next World Taekwondo Championships, in 2027. That puts Akhmedova in prime position to build on her success as she aims at LA28.

“I am very happy that the championships will be in Kazakhstan for the first time. It is great news for our country,” she said. “Kazakhstan is growing in Taekwondo, and the sport is gaining a lot of attention in our country. This support helps athletes to feel more confident competing on the world stage.”

Kimi Laurene Ossin

Masghouni Wafa

Ossin Emerges as New Ivorian Star

The World Championships routinely serves as a platform for new stars to emerge. and Wuxi 2025 has been no different.

Take Cote d’Ivoire’s Kimi Laurene Ossin, who won silver in the W-73kg on her debut at the event.

It was a huge achievement for the 17-yearold, who won gold at the Sofia 2022 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships and bronze at the Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships. Wuxi 2025 was a step up for Ossin, with a superb run to the final where she pushed Belgium’s serial winner Sarah Chaari all the way.

“The difference from the Junior World Championships is this has much more attention,” she said. “I had nothing to lose, so I just wanted to enjoy!”

Her route to the final demonstrated how quickly she has progressed in her first year in senior competition, overcoming renowned opponents who had beaten her in previous competitions.

2022 World Champion Nadica Bozanic of Serbia won their contest at the European Club Championships in April, but it was Ossin who came out on top in the quarter-final in Wuxi.

Similarly in the semi-final, Ossin faced second seed Sude Yaren Uzunçavdar who had won a semi-final between the pair at the German Open, but the Ivorian emerged victorious on this occasion.

“For me it was revenge!” Ossin admitted. “When I fought her last time, I was too conditioned by the environment and the aggression of the other girl. This time it was different. I was really focused on what my coach was saying and what I had to do.”

“[Against Uzunçavdar] it was the same, because she beat me in the German Open one month ago,” she continued. “She is a really good girl, but my focus was only on my coach and me.”

Ossin was born and lives in Italy, but has dual nationality through her parents. By choosing to represent Cote d’Ivoire, she has added her name to the country’s impressive Taekwondo history, with Ruth Gbagbi and Cheick Sallah Cisse collectively winning four medals across the last three Olympics.

“Since I was young, I have watched them competing in the Grand Prix, and since then I wanted to go with them and be part of the team,” Ossin said. “When I go to Cote d’Ivoire, I feel at home.”

After Wuxi, she is aware of what is required to achieve her biggest dream.

“I think I have a lot to do still,” she said.

“When I go back home, I will work hard to achieve my goal, which is an Olympic medal.”

Seamless Steps from Junior to Senior World Champion

It was just over 12 months ago that Tunisia’s Masghouni Wafa was celebrating gold at the Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships. Fast forward a year, and she made a seamless step up to the senior level with a remarkable victory at the World Taekwondo Championships.

Making her W-57kg gold in Wuxi win doubly impressive, Wafa won it by getting the better of the reigning W-67kg Olympic Champion Viviana Marton in two rounds.

“I was thinking of my gold in Chuncheon, and I was thinking, ‘I did It there, so why not here?’” she reflected. “The other gold was junior, this one is senior, but I’m still the same athlete. I focused, I played and I got it.”

Wafa showed strength in every aspect of her game.

In the final, she had trailed the first round to Marton until virtually the last action, when she produced a stunning body kick to tie at 7-7 and win on superiority. She credits her coach for producing that moment.

“My coach was screaming at me to do the kick that I did, and I scored,” Wafa explained. “I usually can’t listen in the stadium, but this time, I opened my ears…I listened to him and I said, ‘I don’t have anything to lose. It’s my fight! It’s my win!’”

The end result was “like a dream for me,” she said. Arguably even more impressive had been Wafa’s defense in the second round, when she was able to prevent Marton from scoring.

“I knew her style... she’s so aggressive and a good player… I was thinking, maybe I can’t take points, so I have to stop her from taking points,” Wafa admitted. “I played defensive. I had eight touches, but no points, so I wasn’t playing Taekwondo, I was just blocking her.”

At the end, she surprised even herself. “When I was in my home in Tunisia, I looked in the mirror imagining how I would celebrate if I won - maybe jumping around,” she said. “But yesterday, I found myself on the ground crying!!”

The biggest factor in her success? Family. “I was thinking only about my family and how I can be their pride: ‘Is it too much for them to give them a gold medal? It’s the least I can do for them,’” she said. “I want to especially thank my older sister, who gave me everything.”

Wuxi has been an outstanding event for Tunisia with their first two gold medals in the history of the event. The success came despite losing national team head coach Yesbol Sultanov, 2024 WT Coach of the Year, who took on the role with Kazakhstan.

Tunisia has won four Olympic medals in Taekwondo since Rio 2016, but is yet to have a female athlete on the podium. Wafa is going to try and change that at Los Angeles 2028.

“I’m planning to recreate this medal in Los Angeles,” she said. “Stay tuned, and I hope you will see me on top of the podium in Los Angeles!”

Kuş Aydin Emine Gogebakan

TURKIYE’S | W+73kg TURKIYE | W-46kg

Strong Team Spirit Propels Team Turkiye to Double Gold

Day 4 is Team Turkiye’s lucky day at World Taekwondo Championships.

Two years ago in Baku, Hakan Recber and Nafia Kus Aydin both won gold medals on the day. Lightning struck twice on the fourth day of battle in Wuxi, when Emine Gogebakan was victorious in the W-46kg final against Individual Neutral Athlete Milana Bekulova - then Nafia Kus Aydin overcame Uzbekistan’s Svetlana Osipova in the W+73kg final.

The pair compete at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of weight divisions, but have worked together closely in the tight-knit Turkish team. For Gogebakan, learning from one of the sport’s greats in Kus Aydin has been invaluable.

“I did lots of exercise and training with Nafia…she helped me with each moment of my preparation because she is so experienced,” he said. “Since she is good at controlling and I am good at speed, we exchanged with each other and learned from each other.”

Kus Aydin added that this sense of togetherness has been a key factor.

“When we encourage our teammates, it creates energy and chemistry for the whole team,” she said. “We played five finals, and we have two gold, two

silver and one bronze. This is the result of the motivation and the team work we created.”

Gogebakan’s victory was her first medal at the Worlds, while for Kus Aydin it was her fourth, dating back to the bronze she won in 2015.

The win in Wuxi completed a full set of medals across the age range for Gogebakan, who was a Cadet Championships bronze medalist in 2014 and a Junior Championships silver medalist in 2018.

“When I woke up I was really concentrated, I felt that I was going to win the gold medal,” she said.

“Now I have completed these milestones, but I am not finished! I want to be the best athlete in this category!”

Kus Aydin came to Wuxi as defending champion in the W+73kg. However, she insisted she did not feel any pressure.

“I felt so comfortable and so confident, I just told myself to enjoy each moment, take each round step by step,” she said. “When I succeeded in the first round, my confidence increased and that helped me to focus more.”

Both are now looking toward LA28 with the goal of bringing more success to Team Turkiye, which came out on top of the Wuxi medal table.

Banlung Tubtimdang

THAILAND | M-63kg

Dream Comes True for Thai Tubtimdang

A host of Taekwondo greats have emerged from Thailand, most notably superstar Panipak Wongpattanakit.

She has retired, but new stars are rising, and 20-year-old Banlung Tubtimdang has cemented his name as one of those after his stunning success in Wuxi.

Tubtimdang announced himself at the Baku 2023 World Championships with his silver in the M-63kg category, and went one better in Wuxi by overcoming Korea’s Hyeonseong Yu in the M-68kg final.

“I dreamed of this World Taekwondo Championships: It is the biggest event, and I gave everything from the first match to the final,” he said. “[After Baku] I didn’t want to lose, and wanted to improve myself with more training and more exercise to go for the gold.”

Tubtimdang has been a star performer this year, winning

prior golds at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games and the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge in Muju.

While these events have been something of a blur for him, he felt the experience benefited him for Wuxi.

“I just used the techniques and experience for the World Championships,” Tubtimdang said.

He knows the clock is ticking.

“In the life of an athlete, it is short term [so] when I am given an opportunity to compete, I have to do my best, win or lose,” he said.

Though he now knows the joy of victory, he has also suffered the agony of defeat: In Paris, he lost in the round of 16. He hopes for better things in the upcoming Olympic cycle, but is taking competitions step by step.

LA 2028 is on his horizon, but he is focusing on the near future, notably a year--end event on home soil: The Southeast Asian Games.

Saudi star Hamedi targets Olympic history after switch to Taekwondo

One of the most remarkable stories at the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships was that of Saudi Arabia’s Tareg Hamedi. He won a high-profile silver in Karate at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Now, having switched to Taekwondo, he is pursuing one of the rarest of Olympic achievements.

Hamedi competed in the M-74kg category at the World Taekwondo Championships, his 13th international event since he made the move to Taekwondo nearly a year ago. It has been a busy year, but a positive experience which has helped him to develop day-by-day.

He has observed both similarities and differences in his experience of Karate and Taekwondo. “There is a lot that is very different, but to be honest it’s the same game: It’s a fight, but with different tools,” he said.

Hamedi aims to add to his Olympic medal in Karate with another in Taekwondo at Los Angeles 2028. Though a select number of athletes have won

medals in multiple sports at the Olympic Games, a podium finish in two different combat sports would be unprecedented.

“Sometimes I get a little bit emotional because I always see the final picture, which is LA 2028 on the podium with the gold medal around my neck,” he said. “This is about more than an athlete getting a gold medal. It’s a story for a whole generation in Saudi Arabia.”

The grass roots are well planted.

“I believe we have a lot of talent and a lot of high potential athletes in general, especially in combat sports,” he said. “I would love to be a part of this big achievement for Saudi Arabia.”

He outlined the support he is receiving to help pursue this Olympic dream.

“The Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee really cares and focuses on different sports, and one of them is Taekwondo,” he said.

Saudi Taekwondo is also included in a project which switches players from Karate to Taekwondo.

“It’s a long-term program, but I feel very supported,” he said. “The mission is not easy, but it’s not impossible.”

An incredible story may be in the offing - one that began at the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships.

All World Taekwondo Competitions in one app

Following the World Taekwondo app, we are excited to announce the launch of the World Taekwondo Competitions app! Stay up to date with our latest news and get everything you need to know about competitions right at your fingertips.

World Taekwondo Competitions

APP LAUNCH

Oceania Breaks New Ground at Wuxi 2025 World Championships

The Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships was marked by record-breaking participation from 10 countries in Oceania, including debuts for Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.

“This is history for Oceania at the World Championships,” explained Oceania Taekwondo Union President and WT Vice President Maher Magableh. “It is the first time ever that we have had 10 countries competing at the World Championships, whereas usually it has been just three or four countries.”

That reflects the impressive growth of Taekwondo in the continent, which is set to continue next year through the organization of an increasing number of major events. These include cadet, junior and senior Oceanian Championships with mixed-team competitions for the first time, along with the Australian Open and the President’s Cup.

For athletes from Oceania, increased competitive opportunities are vital to boost their rankings, as Max Watene of the Cook Islands outlined.

Watene has previously represented New Zealand on the international stage but switched to the Cook Islands, where he has family connections, in time for Wuxi 2025.

Solomon Islands had Fred Valentina in the M-74kg category, and Coach Junior Maetia underlined the importance of the opportunity to compete in Wuxi.

“One of the biggest issues, even when I was fighting for New Zealand, being in the Oceania region, is the competition because it’s not as readily available for us as it is in other parts of the world, where you can go on a little tour a few weeks and go to many ranking competitions to get your points up and qualify for other competitions,” he said. “In the Oceania region, we have recently only had one here and maybe one there, so it’s been a lot tougher to not only get those points, but also to get that international experience that you need to be able to improve.”

Travel costs are an issue over the vast distances in the Pacific.

“Especially after Covid, with flights being so expensive, getting to other continents has been really hard,” he said. “Hopefully by opening up and adding all these new competitions into the Oceania region, that will help with the journey.”

The Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships has served as a vital experience for participating countries from Oceania, including Vanuatu which had two athletes competing for the first time: Clement Onggosanusi and James Pita.

“It is our first time ever participating at the World Taekwondo Championships, and I want to acknowledge World Taekwondo for its support and this opportunity,” Vanuatu’s Head of Team Kalfau Kalotrip Holmes said.

“For the athletes it has been such an experience, and at the same time I learned a lot watching all the fights across the weight divisions.”

“We have to represent our country and represent Oceania so we can develop, and go back with knowledge from here,” he said. “It’s good experience for his [Valentina’s] career so he can compete on the world stage, and that can help him to the next level.”

The lessons are not just for the players.

“As a coach, this is my first time at the World Championships and it’s really tough, but we have to face the challenges and learn from it,” Maetia continued.

“We have to learn from Olympics and world champion coaches here, and I believe in the Solomon Islands we are good at looking and learning: We analyze, adapt and we make it for our own style, but in line with a system.”

The OTU is planning a series of training camps and seminars with the support of expert coaches and referees to accelerate the development of Taekwondo in Oceania. The OTU hopes it will improve cooperation between its Member National Associations.

“The OTU Board has representation from many different countries,” Magableh said. “We want to start a new Technical Committee and Sub-Committees, and they will look after the training camps, seminars and courses. Before any major Oceanian event, we’ll try to have a training camp.”

This is especially important as the continent faces a golden opportunity with the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. There, Australia’s status as the host nation is likely to open up increased qualification opportunities for the other countries.

Cook Islands Coach Kane Watene believes this can hugely benefit young athletes currently emerging.

“It is a big thing! All of the Oceanian countries will be pushing their current youth athletes for 2032,” he said. “There should be great competitions leading up to those Olympic qualifying spots in 2032.”

Champions Behind the Mic:

Taekwondo Stars Bring Expert Insight to Wuxi 2025 Commentary Team

During the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships, fans experienced a fresh and inspiring perspective of the sport — through the voices of elite athletes and coaches.

A lineup of world-class Taekwondo figures joined WT TV Director John Cullen in the commentary box, offering expert analyses, deep insight and firsthand understanding of the game as action unfolded live on the field of play.

On the second day of the event, two-time Olympian and Coach of World and Olympic Champions Suvi Mikkonen from Finland joined Cullen and opened the commentary series.

“It was a great experience — I really enjoyed seeing Taekwondo from another perspective,” she said. “The group photo session on the final day was especially fun!”

On Day 3, Junior World Champion, Senior World Medalist and Paris 2024 Olympic Medalist Skylar Park from Canada added her energy and insight from the commentary stand. “It was a true honor to use my Taekwondo knowledge in a new way,” she said. “Experiencing the big stage from a different lens was thrilling and helped me grow as both an athlete and a person.”

On the fourth day, it was the turn of Grand Prix Champion and Paris 2024 Olympic Silver Medalist Caden Cunningham of Great Britain to share his passion for connecting with audiences.

“I love connecting with fans and athletes through commentary,” he said. “People back home enjoyed hearing my perspective and I’d love to continue at future events.”

Come Day 5, and Grand Prix Medalist, World Silver Medalist, and Paris 2024 Olympian CJ Nickolas from the United States made his commentary debut.

“Seeing the sport from the outside gave me a new appreciation for its complexity and emotion,” he reflected. “It reminded me why I love Taekwondo.”

On the sixth day, Rio Olympian and Team USA High Performance Coach Stephen Lambdin offered his analytical perspective.

“As a coach, commentary lets me communicate the strategies and decision-making that fans often miss,” he said. “It’s about bridging what happens in the athlete’s mind with what viewers see on screen.”

On the seventh and final day, two-time Olympian and Grand Prix Medalist Jack Woolley of Ireland concluded the series.

“It was a fantastic new experience that might shape my future after competing,” he said. “Once I got into it, it felt like two friends talking about what we love most — Taekwondo.”

Each commentator brought a unique voice and personality to the broadcast, connecting with global audiences and enriching the viewing experience. Fans around the world responded enthusiastically, praising the diverse mix of voices.

The Wuxi 2025 Athlete Commentary Project demonstrated that champions can inspire not only through their performances on the mat but also through their voices.

The project will continue in 2026, providing athletes and coaches with further broadcast experience, leading to WT certification and additional commentary opportunities.

World Taekwondo

Pioneers

Free Competition Footage for Top 10 Athletes

In Wuxi, World Taekwondo launched an innovative initiative: Providing the top 10 ranked athletes in each Olympic and Paralympic weight category free access to competition footage for use on their personal social media. WT is the first International Federation to grant official rights holder status to its athletes. Competition footage was offered to the athletes from the World Taekwondo Championships, Grand Prix and Grand Prix Challenge events. The move underlines World Taekwondo’s commitment to increasing the visibility and reach of its athletes and its top-ranked events through social media.

The footage is produced by World Taekwondo’s broadcast partners from around the world, and athletes were given clear guidelines to support them in maximizing this opportunity. This included coaching on best practices for content creation, copyright legislation and music licensing.

The initiative empowers players to build their own profiles, and increase the visibility of the sport.

“World Taekwondo is thrilled to offer professional broadcasting footage of competition to our top 10 athletes for use on their social media,” WT President Chungwon Choue said. “We are committed to bringing Taekwondo to the screens of younger, wider and more diverse audiences leading up to an exciting Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. “

Clearly, online brand building is a smart way to spread the sport.

“Social media is a crucial way to connect with those audiences,” he continued. “I am confident this initiative will offer both our athletes and our sport the increased visibility they deserve.”

All other athletes, Member National Associations and non-rights holding production companies will have the opportunity to purchase competition footage for use on social media.

Astana to Host Inaugural Altaic Taekwondo Championships

The first Altaic Taekwondo Union General Assembly was held with Astana, Kazakhstan, awarded the inaugural Altaic Taekwondo Championships to be held in 2026.

Kazakhstan Taekwondo Federation President Kudrat Shamiyev was elected as the first president, as related Member National Associations (MNAs) agreed that the position will be held by the president of the MNA hosting the next Altaic Taekwondo Championships.

The establishment of the Altaic Taekwondo Union was agreed during the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge in Muju, Korea, in August 2025. It brings together the 10 nations of the Altaic cultural sphere - Azerbaijan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Turkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue attended the General Assembly, held on the sidelines of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships, and expressed his full support for the initiative.

“World Taekwondo is pleased to support the creation of the Altaic Taekwondo Union, which will promote cultural and sporting cooperation between the MNAs,” Choue said.

“Astana will be an excellent host for the first Altaic Taekwondo Championships, and we are looking forward to working with President Shamiyev and the 10 MNAs to develop Taekwondo across the Altaic Taekwondo Union.”

Shamiyev emphasised Kazakhstan’s commitment to the Altaic Taekwondo Union, which will celebrate the values of unity and excellence.

“Kazakhstan fully supports this initiative, and is proud to be contributing by hosting the first Altaic Taekwondo Championships,” Shamiyev said.

“We believe the Altaic Taekwondo Union will greatly strengthen cooperation across our membership.”

In addition to organising regular Altaic Taekwondo Championships, the Altaic Taekwondo Union will create educational programmes, work to develop young people through sport and ensure equal opportunities for all.

The Altaic Taekwondo Union General Assembly also agreed on the logo for the organisation, and will hold its next meeting at the World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in April 2026.

WUXI GRAND SLAM

DAY 1 DAY 2

Hosts China Wins Gold

on Day 1 of World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge in Wuxi

A hometown favorite won gold on Day 1 of the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge in Wuxi, China via Xiaolu Fu in the W-49kg weight category, while Korea earned two golds courtesy of Jaegwon Kang in the M-80kg and Woohyeok Park in the M+80kg.

The competition took place at the World Taekwondo Wuxi Center Stadium, adjacent to the venue for the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships which concluded earlier in the week.

World Championships Bronze Medalist Fu was on the podium again at the Grand Slam Challenge, this time taking gold by defeating compatriot Ju Zhou in the W-49kg final. Korea’s W-46kg Junior World Champion Yumin Lee won bronze.

Kang added to his World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge silver in Muju earlier this year with M-80kg gold at the Grand Slam Challenge, overcoming compatriot Junsang Park in the final. Arthur Meirelles da Costa of Brazil clinched bronze.

In a high-profile M+80kg final between two former world champions, Park took the win against Mexico’s Carlos Sansores. Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Vladislav Larin completed the podium.

The Grand Slam Challenge provides an opportunity for athletes to earn coveted places on the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series. These will be allocated to the top two athletes of different nationalities from each weight category.

Prize money of USD 6,000 for gold medalists, USD 3,000 for silver medalists and USD 1,000 for bronze medalists is on offer.

Korea

Grab 2

Golds, 1 for China

on second day of World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge in Wuxi

DAY 3

China, Korea Repeat Gold Wins

on final day of Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge

WUXI, China (Nov. 4, 2025)

Korea won double gold on a thrilling Day 2 of the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge in Wuxi with hosts China also adding another gold to their medal tally.

The second day of competition saw action across the W-57kg, W+67kg and M-58kg categories. Korea’s Gahyeon Kim overcame Shabona Abduvalieva of Uzbekistan 2:0 in the W-57kg to retain the title she also won last year. Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Kseniia Zdorn won bronze.

Olympic Gold Medalist Taejoon Park secured Korea’s second gold of the day in the M-58kg as his Spanish opponent Jesus Fraile Rodriguez was forced to withdraw from the final due to injury. The bronze medal was won by Park’s brother, Minkyu.

In the W+67kg, the home crowd were able to celebrate another win. Before the final even began the host country was assured of victory as Lei Xu faced compatriot Yawen Li. Xu proved too strong, winning the match 2:0 and upgrading her silver medal from last year’s Grand Slam Challenge to gold.

China made it a clean sweep of medals in the category with Zeqi Zhou, who won bronze at this year’s World Championships in Wuxi, claiming bronze.

On a banging final day of competition at the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge, China and Korea topped the podium once again, marking a highly successful tournament for the two teams.

In the W-67kg, Xuyan Chen overcame Korea’s Hyorim Hong 2:1 in a closely fought victory. Both finalists had a difficult route to the podium with Chen beating recent Wuxi 2025 World Championships Bronze Medalist Lena Moreno Reyes of Spain in the round of 16 while Hong overcame Tunisia’s 2025 World Champion Masghouni Wafa in the quarterfinals. Greece’s Styliani Marentaki won bronze.

Jinho Mun of Korea claimed gold in the M-68kg, beating his compatriot and Charlotte 2025 Grand Prix Challenge Gold Medalist Woo-hyeok Jung, 2:0 in the final. Bronze was won by Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Amir Vykov.

Today’s results in Wuxi took Korea’s gold tally to five with China winning three - dominant displays from the two Taekwondo powerhouses.

CHALLENGE

WUXI WORLD CUP TEAM FINALS

Brazil Successfully Defend Title at Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships

Brazil retained their title at the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships, defeating Korea in the final of the highly-entertaining series to win gold.

The Brazilian team included newly crowned world champions. In the M-80kg weight category it was Henrique Marques Rodrigues Fernandes and at W-57kg, it was Maria Clara Pacheco, along with Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships Silver Medalists Edival Pontes and Milena Titoneli. Nivea Barros and Paulo Melo completed the star-studded squad.

Brazil overcame Korea in the final, with Hanna Lee, Seungju Oh, Hyorim Hong, Sangryeol Lee, Jinwook Lee and Hyunwoo Kim earning silver for their team.

Brazil had earlier beaten Kazakhstan and

top seeds Uzbekistan en route to the final, while Korea saw off World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships debutants Peru and hosts China.

China completed the podium with victory against Uzbekistan for bronze. Their team included World Taekwondo Championships Silver Medalist in the M-80kg Qizhang Xiang, along with Zhaoxun Cai, Lixingjun Diao, Shunan Xiao, Chengyi Wang and Jingqi Zhu.

Thirty four athletes from the six countries competed at Wuxi 2025 in the ever popular event, which features heated action not always seen in more tactical individual events.

CHARLOTTE 2025

Grand Prix Challenge

Brazil, Korea, China Earn Golds

On Day 1 in Charlotte Grand Prix Challenge

CHARLOTTE, USA (Jun. 13, 2025)

The first day of the Charlotte 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge opened in style today with Maria Clara Pacheco (W-57kg) of Brazil, Woohyeok Jung (M-68kg) of Korea and Wenzhe Mu (W+67kg) of China winning golds.

The event marks the first ever Grand Prix Challenge held in the USA and the first World Taekwondo event in the country since the New York World Championships in 1993. It welcomed over 350 fighters from 44 countries. With the Grand Prix Challenge now open to all athletes regardless of their Olympic ranking, today’s action saw a thrilling mix of established stars and emerging talent. Athletes were after more than just the medals, with the top three finishers in each category earning automatic qualification for the first leg of the elite Roma 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series.

In the first final of the night, Pacheco faced 2022 World Champion and Seven-time Grand Prix Champion Zongshi Luo of China. Pacheco got off to an electric start, taking a 12-0 lead in less than 40 seconds. Luo was unable to land a point on the evasive Pacheco, who won the round 17-0.

The start of the second round followed a similar pattern, with Pacheco taking an early 6-0 lead with barely 20 seconds on the clock. Once again, despite a valiant effort, Luo was unable to register a score and Pacheco won the round 12-0 to take gold.

In the bronze match the USA’s Faith Dillon faced France’s Kanelya Carabin. Backed by a noisy home crowd, Dillon managed last-second wins in both the first and second rounds to secure the medal.

In the only men’s category of the day, it was Jung versus Hao-yu Hsu of Chinese Taipei. Hsu was the first off the mark, taking a commanding 8-0 lead. With Jung mounting a comeback, Hsu looked like he had done enough to hold on but a head kick and gamjeom in the last second saw Jung win the first round, 14-13.

Boosted by his first round win, Jung came out strongly in the second. An early flurry of front kicks to the body from Jung set the tone for the round, as the Korean never looked in doubt, winning the round 19-10 to claim gold.

In the bronze medal match it was an all-European clash with Spain’s Joan Jorquera facing France’s Theo Lucien. Jorquera proved too strong, delivering a dominant 2-0 performance to win.

The final fight of the night drew Mu against Serbia’s Nadica Bozanic. It was Mu who broke the deadlock midway through the first round. The fight then sprung into action with the two fighters drawing from their arsenals of kicks. Only one point separated the pair as Bozanic won the first round 14-13.

An early kick to the head gave Mu a 3-0 lead in the second round. Mu extended her lead with a series of kicks to the trunk, but three head kicks from Bozanic swung the match in her favor only for Mu to land two head kicks of her own in the dying seconds to take the match to Round 3. With Mu in the ascendancy and Bozanic tiring, the Chinese was deadly in her accuracy, landing a potent mix of trunk and head shots to win the round 20-0 and claim gold.

In the bronze match, France’s Solene Avoulette faced Individual Neutral Athlete Kristina Adebaio. With Adebaio leading, an injury to Avoulette brought about an early end to the match and awarded Adebaio the medal.

Korea, Spain and USA Share Golds on Day 2

of the Charlotte 2025

World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

The second day of the Charlotte 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge delivered more thrilling Taekwondo action as Jongmyeong Kim (M-58kg) of Korea, Lena Moreno (W-67kg) of Spain and CJ Nickolas (M-80kg) of USA claimed the golds on offer. Korea ended the night with three silver medals to add to their gold in what was a very successful day for the nation.

Grand

The first final of the evening was an all Korean affair with Jongmyeong Kim and Junseo Bae set to go head to head. With both fighters from Korea, only one was guaranteed qualification for the Roma Grand Prix. However, ahead of the fight Bae was forced to withdraw due to injury, leaving Kim to take gold and the qualification place.

In the bronze medal match, Tamirlan Tleules of Kazakhstan faced Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Vito Dell’Aquila of Italy. Tleules won the match 2-0 to record his first ever medal in a major World Taekwondo competition.

-67kg

On the women’s side, the W-67kg final pitted Lena Moreno of Spain against Minju Kwak of Korea. The opening exchanges were tense as both fighters tried to find a breakthrough.

A gamjeom broke the deadlock in Moreno’s favour but a front kick to the trunk soon after gave Kwak the lead. A head kick looked to have secured the round for Moreno, but a last second kick to the trunk earned Kwak the win, 5-4.

The second round was decided by head kicks as Moreno landed three to establish a clear lead 9-1.

There was little to separate the two in the final round. Moreno picked up from where she left off, landing a kick to the head only for Kwak to respond with a kick to the trunk. Tense final moments saw both athletes penalised with gamjeoms but Moreno held on to win 5-3, and take gold.

For the bronze medal, it was USA’s Kristina Teachout versus Croatia’s Doris Pole. Pole took the first round but Teachout battled out to win the match 2-1 much to the delight of the home crowd.

The final match of the night paired the USA’s CJ Nickolas against Korea’s Geonwoo Seo. The fight promised much and did not fail to deliver. Both fighters started explosively landing a flurry of kicks to the trunk. In a breathless display of high-risk turning kicks, both fighters gave away gamjeoms before the round transitioned into a straight fight of trading blows to the trunk. The high scoring round finished 23-18 to the American.

An excellent combination gave Seo an early lead in Round 2. Nickolas pulled himself back into the round with a spectacular spinning kick to the trunk. Then, once again, the fighters treated the crowd to a relentless back and forth of kicking prowess.

Seo was unwaveringly consistent, landing nine kicks to the trunk, but it was Nickolas’ variation which proved the difference as he won the round 20-22 to take match and gold medal.

Chile’s Joaquin Churchill and Kazakhstan’s Batyrkhan Toleugali fought for the bronze. With nothing between the two fighters in the first round, Toleugali won on superiority, but managed a more convincing victory in the second round to take the medal.

Chinese Taipei, Italy, Strike Last Golds

as Charlotte 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge ends CHARLOTTE, USA (Jun. 15, 2025)

The Charlotte 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge drew to a breathtaking close this evening with You-yun Liu (W-49kg) of Chinese Taipei and Simone Alessio (M+80kg) of Italy winning the gold medals on offer.

The first final of the night was between Liu and Nodira Akhmedova of Kazakhstan. Liu opened the scoring with a well-executed kick to the head but was unable to remain on her feet and conceded a gamjeom. The score remained static at 3-1 for much of the round before Liu landed another head kick and kick to the trunk in quick succession to win the round 8-1.

In the second round it was the turn of Akhmedova to take the lead as she caught Liu with an early front kick to the trunk, but Liu replied in kind to even the score. A strong kick to the head restored Liu’s lead, and despite Akhmedova’s best efforts Liu proved elusive and won the round 5-3 to claim gold.

In the bronze medal match Individual Neutral Athlete Milana Bekulova faced Ying Hsuan Huang of Chinese Taipei. Bekulova was convincing in the first round but dominant in the second landing a multitude of head kicks to secure the bronze.

-49kg

It was the responsibility of Caden Cunningham of Great Britain and Simone Alessio of Italy to bring to an end this hard-hitting Grand Prix Challenge with the final match of the competition. It was a heavyweight clash in more ways than one with both fighters Grand Prix gold medalists, and Alessio a two-time world champion. With only 15 seconds remaining of the opening round it was just gamjeoms that separated the fighters, but Alessio took it after landing kicks to the trunk to win 7-4.

The second round followed a similar pattern as both

fighters were trying to find their range, reluctant to leave themselves exposed to a counter. The last 30 seconds saw an increase in the tempo as both fighters were able to land kicks to the trunk. But once again it was Alessio who came out on top to win the gold.

Pasko Bozic of Croatia and Ivan Garcia of Spain battled it out for bronze. Garcia fought valiantly but was not able to break down Bozic’s defense who was able to steadily build points with well-timed kicks to the trunk. Bozic won the match 2-0 to secure bronze.

PACHECO

Hopes to Follow Footfalls of Olympic Idol, ‘Win it all’

At 21, Brazil’s Maria Clara Pacheco has the exuberance of youth, but already boasts impressive experience that may set up future glories.

In her debut senior season she won bronze at the Baku 2023 World Championships and has now won gold in the Charlotte 2025 Grand Prix Challenge – her first medals in what she calls “big events.”

“I won [at Baku 2023] so young,” she said. “Now I am a little bit more experienced, I have fought at the Olympic Games, I’m so happy that I’m getting better every day.”

In Charlotte, Pacheco put on a dominant display: She did not concede a single point over two rounds, winning 17-0, then 12-0 over the highly experienced Zongshi Luo of Team China.

She talked through her process.

“I fought with [Luo] in Paris and in the Grand Slam Challenge where I beat her. I knew in the final I already had got the quota for the Grand Prix so the pressure was off. I was just thinking I need to make as many points as possible so I can to be safe, and more confident.”

In the semi-final , facing hometown favorite Faith Dillon, it had not been so calm.

“I was very nervous in the semi” Pacheco admits. “I won the first round, so I was confident,

but when I lost the second fight, I just thought that if I lose now, I will have to fight again to win the bronze medal, so I don’t want that.”

Charlotte is the latest win in a gold rush year.

“I have won four gold medals and I want to keep it,” she said, laughing. “I want a gold Olympic medal - like all athletes.”

More? “I want to win a Grand Prix series next year and a gold medal in the Pan American Games,” she said. “I think that I can do it.

Now I have the confidence...[to do] everything right with God by my side and my family.”

Looking to LA28, she’s hoping to follow in the footsteps of her idol: Great Britain’s Jade Jones, a double Olympic champion.

The pair met in Baku and Pacheco admits she was star struck. “Oh, it’s Jade Jones! I want to take a picture with her!’” she recalled.

“But in my head, I said, ‘No, you don’t do this because you will fight with her and you have to win.’”

She did not win that day. Two years on, Pacheco’s drive could lead her to replicate Jones’ legendary achievements.

CJ NICKOLAS

‘ I ’m Learning to Trust Myself; It’s Just the Beginning’

For American Taekwondo fighter CJ Nickolas, his gold medal performance at the Charlotte 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge was more than just a win – it marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Coming off his Olympic appearance at Paris 2024, where he narrowly missed out on bronze, Nickolas knew something had to shift.

“I’ve been working super hard, you know, coming off of the Olympics,” he said. “This is the first major event since the Games. I’ve done a lot of work on myself as a person, and it’s just translating into the ring.”

Nickolas is one of the sport’s most spectacular fighters and his tactics were spot on:

He lost not a single round on his way to gold.

“For a while, I lacked confidence,” he admitted. “Now I know what I’m capable of, I know what I deserve.”

This renewed confidence was a deliberate mental reset.

“I went into it with a fresh mind...I just genuinely had to believe that I was better,” he said.

His evolution has involved reconciling the sport’s shifting dynamics with his focus on high-risk, hard-hitting, offensive Taekwondo.

“When I started Taekwondo, everyone around me was old school,” he said. “But around 11, 12, 13, [years old] I started seeing the new Taekwondo and had to assimilate.”

He struggled to change his style to the more conservative, more tactical, methodology.

“I felt like I was becoming a robot to the culture,” he reflected. “I had to fight like how I wanted to fight, with my X factors.”

His old-school attacking style - which gets fans out of their seats - is now balanced with tactical maturity.

“Sometimes it takes a very simplified, modern game,” he said. “Mastering both the modern game and old school Taekwondo kind of led me to victory yesterday.”

It hasn’t always been a smooth climb. In the Grand Prix Series, he has reached four semis- but no finals.

“I got stuck in that bronze medal gulag for a while.” he said. “That was part of the growth.” At this level of the game, it’s a tight fit. “It’s 1% margins that are going to separate me from everybody else,” he admitted.

For the American, Los Angeles 2028 presents an incredible opportunity.

“You don’t really get a home Games: That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “I’m not going to leave anything up to chance.” He is aiming for more than just victory.

“By the time I get to LA, I want to be striking fear in people’s minds,” he vowed. “Not because I’m at home, but because they know they’re going to have the fight of their life.”

Site Visit to LA 2028

Venue Follows Successful Charlotte WT GP Challenge

Following the Charlotte 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge, held from June 13-15, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue led a technical delegation to Los Angeles for a key venue inspection and planning meetings in preparation for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

The site visit took place on June 18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the designated venue for Taekwondo competitions at LA 2028, scheduled for July 26-29.

The delegation also visited the headquarters of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Accompanying Choue were Philippe Bouedo, chair of the WT Technical Commission, Mohamed Shaaban, chair of the WT Games Committee, WT Council Members Richard Jay Warwick and Inseon Kim, and Kisam Kim, director of the WT Sport Department.

The delegation met with key representatives from the LA 2028 Organizing Committee, including Nicco Campricani, LA28 vice president of sports, Jack Smith, senior sport group manager, and Vusala Clifton, Taekwondo manager.

During the inspection, both parties reviewed all major operational areas of the venue, including field-ofplay design, camera and technical desk positioning, center court layout, spectator seating, warm-up area configuration, and function room allocations.

While the final venue setup is still under development, discussions centered on strategic planning to ensure a seamless and high-quality Taekwondo competition experience for athletes, officials, and spectators.

At the USOPC headquarters, Justin Hou, IOC Commission member for Culture and Olympic Heritage and also an ambassador of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), expressed his delight in visiting the newly inaugurated offices.

On behalf of the THF and WT, Hou donated a symbolic flying torch from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games to the Organizing Committee.

The visit marked a significant milestone in the buildup to the LA 2028 Olympic Games, as World Taekwondo continues to work closely with local organizers to uphold the highest standards of Olympic excellence.

MUJU

TAEKWONDOWON

Nickolas Wins Again, Lee Earns Home Victory on Day 1 of Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

Team USA’s CJ Nickolas and Korea’s Yeji Lee clinched gold medals on the opening day of the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge.

The crowd-pleasing Nickolas followed up his triumph at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge in Charlotte, USA in June, recording back-to-back victories at Korea’s premier Taekwondo venue.

He recovered from losing the first round to Korea’s Jaegwon Kang in the M-80kg final to earn his latest gold medal. Henrique M. Rodrigues Fernandes of Brazil won bronze, beating Victor Rodrigues of USA.

In the W-49kg event, Lee sealed a memorable gold for the host nation with a thrilling triumph over Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Alisa Angelova in the final.

The match went to a deciding third round, which Lee edged after it finished 15-15, Bronze went to

overcame Vietnam’s Truong Thi

Medalists at the

take golds on day two of Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

M

Thailand’s Banlung Tubtimdang impressed and earned gold in the M-68kg on Day 2 of the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge, and Individual Neutral Athlete Anastasiia Kosmycheva triumphed in the W+67kg.

Tubtimdang, a World Taekwondo Championships silver medalist at Baku 2023 and gold medalist at the recent Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, produced a commanding performance in the final against Korea’s Woohyeok Jung.

Jung had won gold at the previous World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge in Charlotte, USA in June, but was denied back-toback victories as Tubtimdang won it in two rounds, 13-1 and 21-7, in an entertaining final. That completed a successful day for the 19-year-old, who did not lose a round throughout the competition in Muju.

Bronze in the M-68kg went to Damir Shulenov of Kazakhstan, matching his result at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

Shulenov overcame Spain’s Adrian Salanova to seal a place on the M-68kg podium. The fight was closely fought, but Kosmycheva edged both rounds 6-5 against Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games gold medalist Dabin Song of Korea, leaving the host nation to settle for two silvers Day 2. In the match for bronze, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist Lauren Williams of Great Britain triumphed against Tania Castineira Etcheverria of Spain, winning the two rounds 8-2 and 8-6.

Teachout and Bae Claim Golds on Day 3 of Muju Taekwondowon

Day 3 of the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge delivered thrilling showdowns as Team USA’s Kristina Teachout won gold in the W-67kg and Korea’s Junseo Bae topped the podium in the M-58kg.

Teachout, an Olympic bronze medalist at Paris 2024, overcame Uzbekistan’s Ozoda Sobirjonova in the final, who was forced to settle for silver.

Lena Moreno Reyes of Spain, gold medalist from the Charlotte 2025 Grand Prix Challenge, won bronze.

The M-58kg final merged into a closely contested all-Korean showdown between two-time World Champion Junseo Bae and Charlotte Grand Prix Challenge Winner Jongmyeong Kim. Ultimately, Bae won the gold, Kim a well-deserved silver. Kazakhstan’s Tamirlan Tleules claimed the bronze.

Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge Concludes with Golds for Pacheco and Garcia Martinez

W-57KG

On Day 4, the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge concluded in scorching fashion with gold medals for Brazil’s Maria Clara Pacheco in the W-57kg and Spain’s Ivan Garcia Martinez in the M+80kg. Prior to the semi-finals on day four, all participants observed a moment of silence in memory of Gyehee Park, former Taekwondo director of Chuncheon City Hall, who passed away in June.

Pacheco made it back-to-back World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge victories, following her success in Charlotte, USA, in June.

Her latest gold required a hugely impressive performance against reigning Olympic Champion Yujin Kim of Korea in the final, winning the two rounds 10-0 and 5-4.

Faith Dillon of the USA matched her bronze medal from Charlotte, overcoming Tunisia’s Chaima Toumi to seal a place on the podium.

In the M+80kg, Garcia Martinez upgraded his bronze from Charlotte to gold at Muju. He won the final in three rounds against Individual Neutral Athlete Rafail Aiukaev, clinching the deciding round, 6-3.

The latter’s countryman Vladislav Larin won the bronze medal match in three rounds, overcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Silver Medalist Caden Cunningham of Great Britain.

WORLD TAEKWONDO

PRESIDENT MEETS REFUGEE ATHLETES at Muju Grand Prix Challenge

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue met with five refugee athletes and two coaches at the 2025 Grand Prix Challenge in Muju Taekwondowon after they successfully completed the “We Are The One Training Camp.”

Held from Aug. 11-25 in partnership with the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, the camp provided world-class training opportunities to refugee athletes supported by World Taekwondo, the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF).

Among the participants was Hadi Tiranvalipour, a Paris 2024 IOC Refugee Olympic Team member, along with athletes from the Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps in Jordan – Mohammad Yasser Alallw, Abed Almajed, and Mahmoud Aljasem Almohammad Alhussein – as well

as Guy Gerlin Rukundo from Rwanda’s Mahama camp.

Although their Grand Prix Challenges ended in the preliminary rounds, the athletes’ focus now turns toward their ultimate goal: the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

“Taekwondo is not only a sport, but a universal language of hope,” Choue said. “These athletes embody the spirit of resilience and inspire us all to believe in the power of sport to change lives.”

This initiative underscores World Taekwondo’s unwavering commitment to supporting refugee athletes and advancing Taekwondo in terms of its opportunity and inclusion.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist Lauren Williams was long known as one of the fiercest fighters in the female division - and now she is back.

Fans were delighted to see one of Great Britain’s most entertaining talents return to major competition at the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 Grand Prix Challenge. Williams made a long-awaited return to the podium, seizing bronze at W+67kg.

Hamstring injuries had kept her out of Paris.

“I had two years of hard recovery and also moved category,” she said.

The game has changed. So have the players.

“I don’t know anybody! I feel like I have the same motivation to win Olympic gold as I did when I started my W-67kg journey,” she said. “I feel like I’m just starting again - it’s great.”

She feels refreshed by the category move. “I needed a change,” she said. “It’s a completely different style.” At the lighter weight, combat was “super dynamic, very fast, very intense,” she noted. “Now applying the same skills, I am stronger and slower, but more tactical and kicks hurt more.”

She was impressed by the glitz in Muju: “The competitions are set up very differently now, they are like a spectacle, they look good on TV,” she mused. The

medal at Korea’s premier Taekwondo destination marks a return to form.

“I can’t tell you how bad my injuries were and how sad it was,” she said. “It was two years of nothing.”

Muju, her fresh start, was almost a fresh disaster.

“After losing the semi-final, I was crying and so sad, and I said, ‘I didn’t want to compete,’ because five fights and no medal were meaningless for me,” she said.

The battle for bronze reversed her mindset.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I would be so happy getting a bronze medal,” she said. “It was like winning a gold! I had just lost, but it was another opportunity to win, and in that kind of stadium it was incredible.”

Victory effaced the color of the medal.

“Now I understand why bronze medalists look happier than silver medalists,” she reflected.

Williams took an unconventional road to success in Taekwondo.

“I used to do kickboxing first, from four to 13 years old,” she revealed. “I wanted to do Mixed Martial Arts, but after the London 2012 Olympics, GB Taekwondo did a scouting program with athletes from other combat sports to see if those skills could be used in Taekwondo.”

Originally a kickboxer, she was scouted. In Taekwondo, her fighting spirit began piling up the medals.

“I just always kept pushing and fighting, and that’s how I started earning medals,” she said. She joined the national team in 2013, aged 14.

Williams is now one of the sport’s most recognizable athletes, and embraces the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of her compatriots Jade Jones and Bianca Cook - both two-time Olympic medalists.

“I like that I now have the opportunity to inspire another generation,” Williams said. “Before, I used to look up to Jade and Bianca. They were my role models.”

Now she has the opportunity to become a role model for the new generation - and she has lessons to teach, based on her own development.

“I have learned a lot of life and psychology skills,” Williams said. “I now have to be cleverer in the techniques I use.”

WILLIAMS

TEACHOUT Savors

Triumphant Return to Muju Taekwondowon

Muju Taekwondowon is an iconic venue that holds happy memories for Kristina Teachout of Team USA.

Two years prior she had earned gold at the location in the W-67kg category at the Grand Prix Challenge. This year, she repeated the feat with a victory over Uzbekistan’s Ozoda Sobirjonova in the final.

In between those triumphs, Teachout picked up an Olympic W-67kg bronze in Paris in 2024.

“It feels so emotional. I was 17 back then [in Muju], and I’ve been reflecting on how it was for the last two years,” she said. “A lot has happened...it was a period that was necessary for me.”

Necessary - but not easy.

“I lost a lot of close fights, but in the end I needed to go through that to go to the Olympics,” she said. “Coming back again is so emotional.”

In Paris, Teachout lost in the quarter-finals to eventual champion Viviana Márton of Hungary.

“I was flowing, it was such an exciting match, it was back and forth and I gave everything,” she recalled. “Going through that loss and then going into repechage and winning the bronze - it taught me a lot.”

It proved instrumental in her development.

“Transformative!” she said. “I was so burnt out going into it, but indeed I learned so much by going through that whole process.”

Teachout has enjoyed a successful season: Her gold at Muju added to a bronze in Charlotte in June. The series offers important opportunities.

“I think it is a great opportunity for athletes to be able to compete and experience this level of competition,” Teachout commented. “Lots of people can come, it is not only for the newcomers but also the experienced elite athletes.”

Looking ahead, she has an upcoming Olympic opportunity on home soil: Los Angeles in 2028.

“Super exciting! I think the US is going to be very prepared,” she said. “We will have good momentum.”

TEAM KOREA STRIKE GOLDS –

TWICE - ON DAY 1 OF BANGKOK

2025 WORLD TAEKWONDO GRAND PRIX CHALLENGE

Athletes from Team Korea grabbed the first two golds on offer – and a silver - at the Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge.

The four-day event kicked off at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in the Thai capital, with two Olympic weight categories being contested.

Korea seized both gold and silver in the M-68kg, leaving Spain to take bronze. Korea also won gold in the W-49kg, with silver going to China and bronze to the home team, Thailand.

Some 241 athletes, representing 29 Member National Associations, were hunting medals across eight categories in

W-49KG

In the category’s final, Xiaolu Fu of China took on Yeji Lee of Korea. Round 1 started at a wicked pace with Fu taking early control, striking with a very fast combo of oblique and round kicks to the body.

In Round 2, both fighters went all-in, landing head kicks, ending the round 9-9. Lee kept herself in the game via superiority.

Perhaps more importantly, medalists qualified for 2026’s elite Grand Prix Series 3 competition, set in Paris, France, in October, where valuable Olympic ranking points are up for grabs.

The final was an all-Korean affair, as twotime World Champion Jun Jang took on rookie rising star Jinho Mun.

Mun established an early lead in Round 1, then Jang suffered a low blow - but gamely fought on. Mun, wielding a leg-length advantage, kept his lead, taking the round 8-7. Oddly, Round 2 started as a low-scoring affair despite a high work rate from both fighters. Things heated up in the final seconds. Jang drew ahead on points when Mun connected with a long, clean kick to the head - winning round, match and gold.

The bronze medal match saw Ad rian Vicente Yunta of Spain do battle with Samirkhon Ababakirov of Kazakh stan. After a Spanish win in the first round, and a Kazakh win in the second, Vicente Yunta switched up the aggression in the third. He grabbed a decisive points lead early, and stemmed a final-seconds charge by Ababakirov for a deserved victory in the third.

Bangkok 2025

GRAND PRIX

In Round 3, Lee found her range. Landing again and again, she forced a surprised Fu into errors. The Korean decisively won the round and gold - in what had earlier been a very even match - 10-0.

Bronze went to Patcharakan Poolkerd of Thailand, who defeated Mata Maya of USA. The Thai fighter’s close-range head kick delivered a win in Round 1, while

Ahead of the medal ceremony, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue and Thailand Taekwondo Association & NOC President Pimol Srivikorn shared a special moment with Thailand’s Olympic heroes — Yaowapa Boorapolchai (Athens 2004 bronze), Dech Sutthikunkal (Athens 2004) and Tawin Hanprab (Rio 2016 silver).

CHALLENGE World Taekwondo

Double

China

Gold for

on Day 2 of Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

BANGKOK, Thailand (Nov. 22, 2025)

Players from Team China secured both the gold medals up for grabs today at the Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge. Day 2 started with a moment of silence in honor of the recently deceased Queen Mother Sirikit. Then action got underway in two weight categories. The W+67kg category saw Belgium taking silver, and Korea bronze. The M-58kg saw Koreans winning silver and bronze.

The final pitted Belgium’s Sarah Chaari against Lei Xu of China in a messy but explosive match that pitched Chaari’s power against Xu’s speed.

In Round 1, the Belgian led 4-0, until Xu got back in the game with a head kick - then another. Chaari surged, adding another point, but Xu took the round, 6-5.

In Round 2, Chaari applied pressure, fighting forward. Xu could not land her high kick, granting Chaari the round on superiority. Round 3 was equally furious, ending with the score even. Xu won a very tough victory on superiority.

The bronze match saw Agoritsa Artemia Kitsiou of Greece fall to a clearly superior Dabin Song of Korea in Round 2.

The final saw Korea’s Jongmyeong Kim battle China’s Kefen Huang.

Round 1 saw fast, active, stylish play from both men. Kim went ahead in the final seconds but nearly lost it as he retreated, repeatedly, off-mats. He narrowly won the round.

In Round 2, Huang landed to the head, then the fight fell into a series of clinches, forcing the referee to work overtime. Kim’s ax kick missed Huang by a millimeter, taking the match to the third.

Round 3 saw forward fighting by both men; Kim lost a gamjeom for grabbing. With just one point on-board, neither player could afford a mistake - then Huang went 4-1 up with another head shot.

Korean Tae-joon Park won bronze via no contest. His opponent, fellow Korean Junseo Bae, was unable to compete due to injury suffered earlier in the day. M -58KG

Thirteen seconds remained. Kim exploded into serial spinning kicks, evening the score in the last half second (!) - but Huang won on superiority.

Korea, Uzbekistan

Grab Day 3 Golds at

DAY 3 M +80KG

The final pitted Vasileios Tholiotis of Greece against Shukhrat Salaev of Uzbekistan.

In Round 1, Salaev deployed a long, precise, front-leg round kick, impacting torso and head. In the final seconds, Tholiotis came to life and evened the score, 5-5. The Uzbek won on superiority. In the second, Tholiotis upped his work rate while the Uzbek varied his attack with ax kick and punch. The Greek landed to the body; then the score equalized at 3-3; then Salaev tumbled. Round 2: Tholiotis.

In Round 3, Tholiotis went one up, the Uzbek shot back. The board soared to 3-3, then 5-3 to the Greek. The last seconds exploded: The board hit 5-5, then 7-7, but it was Salaev who ended it 9-7 for a tight, exciting victory. In third place, Korea’s Woojin Kim won bronze after defeating AIN Nikta Kriuchkov.

W-67KG

The final was a contest between two teams who have dominated the battle in Bangkok: Minju Kwak of Korea and Jiani Xing of China. The match got off to a slow start with neither player committing and the board at 0-0. Xing took Round 1 on superiority. Kwak got busy in Round 2, landing a long, loose head kick. Her precision hits continued, frustrating Xing. The round ended with a decisive 9-1 to Kwak.

Round 3 again saw another head kick from Kwak: 3-0. A tumble lost her one point, and then another for retreating in the final seconds, but she won round, match and gold 3-2. Her defense was masterly: Xing had not landed a single kick.

The bronze match was yet another battle between Korea and China: Respectively, Hyo-rim Hong and Chengyi Wang. After a fierce contest, Hong won.

Korea, Brazil Grab Last Golds of the Bangkok

2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

Fighters from Korea and Brazil took home the last two gold medals as the Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge wrapped up its run.

Day 4 saw silvers go to China and Korea, and bronzes to Jordan and USA.

The Best Female Referee Award went to Jihyun Yeom of Korea, while Best Male Referee Award was taken by Ayman Jalal Al Adarbeh.

W-57KG

This category final was the last in a series of China-Korea matchups in Bangkok, pitting China’s Chuling Zhang against Korea’s Yujin Kim.

Battle commenced with clean, long-range play that left the referee nothing to do. Fighting at leg’s length, Kim racked up point after point, taking Round 1, 14-1. Round 2 was completely different. Kim continued her attack, keeping Zhang on the perimeter, but Zhang put the first point on the board, while Kim simply could not connect. The Chinese won the round, 3-1. The victor, going into Round 3, was anyone’s guess.

It started slow, but Kim’s target radar locked on, striking to body and head. Zhang dialed it up, and both fighters tangled legs. In the last seconds, Zhang attacked but the Korean coolly blocked and retreated, winning gold, 11-4.

The bronze match saw Fadia Khirfan of Jordan take out Faith Dillon of USA in a close, entertaining match that saw both coaches acting as passionately as their fighters.

-80KG

The final pitted Geonwoo Seo of Korea against Henrique Marques Rodrigues Fernandes of Brazil. The latter had the height advantage, the former the wider kick arsenal. Rodrigues-Fernandes drew first blood, going two up. Both men were fighting from long range into tight, technical clinches – with the referee taking a hands-off approach. The Brazilian won Round 1, 2-1. Round 2 started at a super-fast pace. Seo stormed forward but Rodrigues Fernandes refused to go off the mats. Seo fell during a flying kick attempt - then took a round kick to back of head. A flurry of spins from Seo saw the Brazilian duck and cover, then Seo fired machine gun kicks. But the Brazilian was doing the scoring. Rodrigues Fernandes was finally forced down and out, but the match ended decisively, 17-3: A tremendous victory by the hard-to-hit Brazilian over a quality opponent.

The bronze match saw Uzbekistan’s Yodgorbeg Zhuraboev fall to Team USA’s CJ Nickolas, who delivered a spectacular display of Taekwondo and won in Round 2.

The matches ended the last GP Challenge of 2025. A big “Thank You” to all in Bangkok who extended such a joyous welcome to the global Taekwondo family.

ADRIAN VICENTE YUNTA

‘

Taekwondo Chose Me’

BANGKOK, Thailand (Nov. 22, 2025)

Some humans never work out why they are on Earth. Others realize early in life. Adrian Vicente Yunta is the latter.

“When I was 12, I saw this sport exhibition at my school,” he recalled. “I said to my mother, ‘I don’t know what this sport is, but I want it.’”

The sport, of course, was Taekwondo. And there was – happy coincidence – a gym just down the road from his home, run by Coach Miguel Angel. Vicente Yunta joined immediately.

Fast forward 14 years. The two are still together as coach and athlete, and Vicente Yunta is today a core member of Team Spain.

His medal chest is stacked. A two-time Olympian, he also owns World Championship gold and seven Grand Prix medals. The latest: A bronze earned at the Bangkok 2025 Grand Prix Challenge.

For the 26-year-old Madrid native, the battle in Bangkok represented a triple risk.

First: Post-Paris, he had moved up a from M-58kg to M-68kg.

“After the Olympics, my mind was stopped, I had to change,” he said. “So I moved up a category.”

Second: The GP Challenge is high-risk as it pits Taekwondo’s Olympian elite against hungry young guns. But the event offered valuable experience.

“I needed to train this new category,” he said. “I needed to do some fights!”

Third: In his medal match, he would find himself facing an opponent he had lost to three weeks earlier at the Wuxi Grand Slam: Kazakhstan’s Samirkhon Ababakirov. “The plan was to stay close to him with very good blocks and choose good timing to kick – but it is very risky to fight close against these kinds of people,” he said, gesturing over his head.

The strategy worked: He won it in the third.

“With this medal, I think I can achieve big tournaments in the M-68kg and achieve my third Olympics,” he said. “That is my big goal but my mentality is year to year, tournament to tournament, fight to fight.”

He looks back on what he has become.

“Taekwondo chose me - that exhibition many years ago chose me, there was a club near me, my Olympic coach was near me,” he mused. “I was very lucky.”

New Breed, Double Dominance

TEAM CHINA’S LEI XU AND KEFEN HUANG

Talk about a good day on the podium for Team China.

On Day 2 of the Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge, two gold medals were up for grabs. Chinese players walked away with both of them.

Lei Xu secured victory in the W+67kg, while Kefen Huang captured the M-58kg title.

With Paris 2024 done, and LA 2028 looming, old stars are fading as new players arise. Xu and Huang represent China’s new breed. They both have the height common to Chinese fighters. They are both headhunters. But neither had an easy path to their win in their respective finals.

Xu defeated Belgium’s towering Sarah Chaari in a messy but explosive match on superiority. “Finally!

I got gold after a lot of difficulties!” said the 24-yearold. “I was really moved.”

Her 19-year-old team mate was inspired. “Her success in winning the gold medal brought me a lot of confidence,” he said.

Like his teammate, he fought a three-round fight to the finish won via superiority. “It was a dream come true as I have not had the chance to compete

in many international games,” he said. “Now, I feel that the distance between me and the top-tier players has decreased.”

For Team China, the back-to-back wins reverse a gold drought. One of Taekwondo’s powerhouse teams, China did not strike gold at either the Paris 2024 Olympics, or the Wuxi 2025 World Championships.

In Bangkok, the results – on Day 1, teammate Xiaolu Fu had won silver – inject new conviction.

“These three medals really bring a lot of confidence to all our other players,” said Huang.

“I don’t want to talk about past history, as now we have a new team,” said Team China Head Coach Jingyu Wu. “We are all very happy – more points! More confidence!”

Wu - a legendary player with two Olympic gold to her name - reckons good times lie ahead.

“We’re starting to see the potential of our new team,” Wu said. “And they have not reached their peak.”

Xu agrees. “I think we are really fabulous!” she said.

WORLD TAEKWONDO

CHUNCHEON 2025 WORLD CUP TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

China Grabs Gold in Male Team Event

CHUNCHEON, Korea (July 7, 2025)

China’s men won the first gold medal of the World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships in Chuncheon, Korea, via victory over the host nation.

In the contest for bronze on the opening day of competition, Kazakhstan overcame the challenge of Morocco to seal the third place on the podium.

Seven teams participated in the Male Team event, with Denmark, France and India also featuring.

Matches are played under a tag match format and use the best-of-three-rounds system.

First place in each of the competitions during the World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships wins prize money of USD 10,000, with second-place teams receiving USD 7,000 and third placers, USD 5,000.

DAY 1

Hosts Korea Clinch Female Team Crown

CHUNCHEON, Korea (July 8, 2025)

Host nation Korea won the Female Team gold on the second day of the World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships in Chuncheon.

Korea reclaimed the title they last won in 2023 after overcoming China in the final at the Chuncheon Song-Am Sports Town Air Dome.

Morocco completed the podium with the bronze medal. The rest of the field in the Female Team comprised France, India and Kazakhstan.

The opening ceremony was held today, attended by distinguished guests including World Taekwondo

President Chungwon Choue, Mayor of Chuncheon Donghan Yook, Asia Taekwondo Union President Kyuseok Lee, World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, World Taekwondo Council Member and Korea Taekwondo Association President Jinbang Yang, and World Taekwondo Council Member Kookhyun Jung.

In addition to the World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships, Chuncheon will also host the World

Taekwondo Demonstration and Breaking Championships on July 10 and the World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge on July 11, as part of the World Taekwondo Cultural Festival.

Uzbekistan Strike Gold in Mixed Team Event

DAY 2 DAY 3

The Korea Open will additionally be held in Chuncheon from July 15-17.

President Choue welcomed all participants to the events and praised Chuncheon’s commitment to promoting Taekwondo.

“We are delighted to be back in Chuncheon for the 2025 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival and the Korea Open, and we are grateful to our partners for their support on delivering these events,” Choue said. “Chuncheon is the future home of World Taekwondo, and the successful bid to host the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships reflects the city’s passion and dedication to Taekwondo.”

CHUNCHEON, Korea (July 9, 2025)

Uzbekistan won the final gold medal on offer at the 2025 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships in Chuncheon, Korea, with victory in the Mixed Team event.

They overcame Morocco in the final at the Chuncheon Song-Am Sports Town Air Dome to seal gold.

Host nation Korea earned bronze, and China, France, India and Kazakhstan rounded out the field in the Mixed Team event.

Uzbekistan’s success ensured three different countries triumphed at the event, following on from golds for China in the Male Team and Korea in the Female Team events.

The World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships is one of three competitions being held in Chuncheon as part of the World Taekwondo Cultural Festival.

DEMO & BREAKING CHUNCHEON 2025

Korea Comes out Top after Smashing Day in Chuncheon

The Gangwon Chuncheon 2025 World Taekwondo Demonstration & Breaking Championships took place in Chuncheon, Korea, showcasing the breathtaking skills of athletes from around the world.

A total of 50 athletes participated in the event, which followed on from the World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships.

Both are part of Chuncheon’s 2025 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival.

Representatives from Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan and Vietnam competed in the Individual Breaking and Demonstration Performance categories at

the Chuncheon Song-Am Sports Town Air Dome.

The Demonstration Performance event featured teams of seven members, with at least two male and two female athletes. Teams deliver presentations that last up to five minutes.

Korea won gold, with Italy taking silver and Vietnam bronze.

In the Individual Breaking competitions, held using a cut-off system, Korea won a further six gold medals in the Men’s and Women’s Jumping Multiple Kick, Vertical Spinning Kick and Freestyle Breaking events.

Korea and Morocco Share Diamond Games Glory in Paired

Duels in Muju

The first day of competition at the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Diamond Game saw Korea and Morocco win two gold medals, while France and Uzbekistan each earned one victory as Pairs matches were contested

Siwoo Lee and Nahyeon Kim triumphed for Korea in the Junior Female Pair -125kg event, with silver going to Mongolia’s Munkhjin Battseren and Tsengelbayar Battogtokh.

Bronzes went to Jeanny Chaniarti and Aspasya Silalahi of Indonesia, and to Kyoko Kayama and Lila Ardian Murata of Japan.

The host nation’s other gold medal came in the Junior Male Pair -150kg courtesy of Junseo Han and Seung Min An, who overcame Japan’s Sosuke Ono and Kai Okamoto in the final. Indonesia’s Ardiansyah Ardiansyah and Afif Sarjono clinched the bronze medals, as did Mongolia’s Anand Enkhtaivan and Belgutei Bat-Eredene.

Morocco’s success came in the Senior Female Pair -135kg and Senior Male Pair -160kg categories.

In the former, Khoulal Merieme and Ennams Fatima-Zahra won gold at the expense of Kazakhstan’s Kamila Aimukasheva and Aida Taukenova in the final. Bronze medals were won by Lyhana Langouste-Assoumaya and Cloe Blitek of France and Indonesia’s Indah Permata Sari and Ni Made Permata.

In the latter, Ahmed Ben Elbacaria and Ayoub El Yaqini won Morocco’s gold against Oswin Agbogbe Salanon and Uggo Barruol of France in the final. Mergen Ganiyev and Yergesh Bekassyl of Kazakhstan and Bayanbat Tsagaantsooj and Gan-Erdene Sainbileg of Mongolia earned bronzes. Gold for France came in the Senior Male Pair -130kg category through Matar Sarr and Lorenzo Capuano, who beat Rwanda’s Ivan Iradukunda Mucyo and Emmanuel Nzaramba in the final. Bronze medals went to Indonesia’s Sumaker Efgar Galili and Neville Piet Arend Taroreh, and Singapore’s Keston Pang and Regan Guan Cong Chin.

Madina Shoniyozova and Ozoda Sobirjonova of Uzbekistan were the day’s other gold medalists in the Senior Female Pair -110kg, defeating Mihyeon Jeon and Yujin Kim of Korea. Mongolia’s Angela Ulziisaikhan Davaadorj and Uchral Bat-Erdene, along with Singapore’s Cezann Teng and Nichelle Tan, completed the podium.

1 DAY 1 DAY 1

DAY

Muju Mixed Team Events

End with Korea and Uzbekistan Victorious

MUJU, Korea (July 12, 2025)

Senior and Junior Mixed Team events took place on Day 2 of the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Diamond Game, with gold medals going to Uzbekistan B and host nation Korea.

In the Senior Mixed Team -295kg, Paris 2024 Olympics Silver Medalist Svetlana Osipova helped Uzbekistan B to triumph, competing alongside her teammates Shabona Abduvalieva, Diyorbek Tukhliboev and Shukhrat Salaev. Uzbekistan B overcame Kazakhstan in the final, with Kamila Aimukasheva, Aida Taukenova, Abdurakhmon Maripov and Mergen Ganiyev earning silver medals.

Bronze went to Uzbekistan A, whose team comprised of Ozoda Sobirjonova, Sevinch Khayitova, Ozodbek Mamadaliev and Yodgorbek Zhuraboev.

Korea earned the Junior Mixed Team -275kg gold courtesy of the efforts of Siwoo Lee, Seungmin An, Junseo Han and Nahyeon Kim.

They defeated Mongolia’s Belgutei BatErdene, Anand Enkhtaivan, Tsengelbaya Battogtokh and Munkhjin Battseren in the final.

Japan, represented by Lila Ardian Murata, Sosuke Ono, Kyoko Kayama and Kai Okamoto, took bronze.

Clean Sweep for Uzbeks in Individuals as Diamond Game Concludes in Muju

MUJU, Korea (July 13, 2025)

The third and final day of the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Diamond Game saw athletes compete in Individual events across eight categories, with Uzbekistan enjoying a remarkably fruitful day, winning every gold medal on offer.

The Individual matches brought the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Diamond Game to a conclusion.

Madina Shoniyozova took W-49kg gold at the expense of Mongolia’s Uchral BatErdene, while semi-finalists Cezann Teng of Singapore and Naiara Linan Pardo of Andorra took the bronze medals.

Olympic Silver Medalist Svetlana Osipova was the other winner in the Women’s category, overcoming Indah Permata Sari of Indonesia in the W+67kg final.

Jakhongir Khudayberdiev led a clean sweep of medals for Uzbekistan in the M-58kg, with Omonjon Otajonov finishing second, and joint-third going to Kamronbek Mansurov and Mirdiyorbek Mirayimov.

Diyorbek Tukhliboev took M -68kg gold in the final against France’s Lorenzo Capuano, with Nurbek Gazez of Kazakhstan and Singapore’s Regan Guan Cong Chin completing the podium.

DAY 2 DAY 2 DAY 2

In the W-57kg, Shabbona Abduvalieva overcame Singapore’s Nichelle Tan in the final, with Almira Kanat of Kazakhstan and Madeenah Boubacir of France clinching bronzes.

Ozoda Sobirjonova triumphed in the W-67kg event, beating Ayaulym Askar of Kazakhstan in the final. France’s Cloé Blitek and Uzbekistan’s Sevinch Khayitova placed joint-third.

Ozodbek Mamadaliev won the M-80kg final against Kazakhstan’s Yergesh Bekassyl. Bronze medals went to Bayanbat Tsagaantsooj of Mongolia and France’s Oswin Agbogbe Salanon.

Yodgorbek Zhuraboev was the other gold medalist in individual competition through victory over compatriot Azizbek Abdukodirov. Another athlete representing Uzbekistan, Shujrat Salaev earned bronze.

FISU WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES

Sandersen Opens Games with Gold in Women’s Individual Poomsae

Eva Eun-kyung Sandersen of Denmark

wrote her name into FISU Games history by claiming the first gold medal of the RhineRuhr 2025 FISU World University Games in a drama-filled afternoon of Taekwondo at Messe Essen.

The Dane arrived in Germany as a fivetime world championships medalist in poomsae but said she had felt under pressure to add to her glittering medal collection in a tense final against Jung Haeun of Korea, who took the silver.

“We have trained so much and Taekwondo is my whole life,” the 24-year-old told the FISU Games News Service. “I feel it’s everything I want and it’s everything I think about and do. It’s so meaningful to me.

“I feel so overwhelmed, so relieved. And I feel really happy and really proud of my trainer and our work. I really am happy that I can tell my trainers that I won and to feel that I have made them proud.”

Sandersen was grateful for the loud sup-

port from the stands of her teammates in the Denmark team.

“We show up for each other and we’re there for each other,” she said. “And even if we don’t do the same sport or if we do the same, everyone is supporting each other. It feels great to be a part of the team also, especially because our categories are individuals.

“A lot of the work I do is just alone. It’s myself, me and my trainers. So it’s great to have that extra support when here at the University Games, where all kinds of different sports come together.”

Sandersen said she hoped her discipline could still find a way onto the Olympic Games programme before she completes her already distinguished career.

“I really want poomsae to become part of the Olympic disciplines,” she said. “I think that if poomsae got to become an Olympic sport, I would be able to bring a medal home to Denmark.”

Team Poomsae Thrills on Day 2 of Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games

ESSEN, Germany (July 18, 2025)

The energy soared on the second day of Taekwondo at the RhineRuhr 2025 FISU World University Games, as the world’s most promising university athletes showcased their precision and spirit in the Women’s and Men’s Team Poomsae at Messe Essen. In a powerful display of synchronization and technical skill, Chinese Taipei captured gold in the Women’s Team Poomsae event. Korea followed closely to earn silver, while the USA and Germany, the host nation, shared the bronze podium.

Later in the day, the Men’s Team Poomsae Final brought a surge of national pride as Korea secured the top spot with an outstanding performance. China took silver, while Chinese Taipei and Canada delivered compelling routines to each earn bronze. With the poomsae competitions concluded, all eyes now turn to kyorugi which begins on July 19.

DAY 1

The Daegu 2025 World University Taekwondo Festival officially began with an energetic opening ceremony at Keimyung University’s Seongseo Campus.

The day’s events launched with the M-87kg Final, culminating in a medal ceremony that honored the top-performing athletes in the division.

The opening ceremony welcomed 246 university athletes from 25 countries, who have gathered in Daegu for this three-day celebration of Taekwondo, sportsmanship, and cultural exchange. The formal proceedings unfolded in an atmosphere rich with international flair and youthful energy, as athletes, coaches, and guests filled the venue with anticipation.

In his welcoming remarks, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue highlighted the global significance of the festival. He described it as a unique platform for building international friendships and reinforcing the core values of Taekwondo among youth.

Following speeches, selected representatives of the athletes, coaches, and referees took the official oath of integrity, pledging to uphold fairness, discipline, and the true spirit of Taekwondo throughout the competitions.

The Daegu 2025 World University Taekwondo Festival continues through July 8, featuring both kyorugi and poomsae competitions. Over the two-day event, university-level athletes from across the globe demonstrate their skill, dedication, and the unifying power of Taekwondo on this international stage.

Brazil, Canada, Korea and Thailand Strike Gold on Day 3 at Rhine-Ruhr 2025

ESSEN, Germany (July 19, 2025)

Brazil, Canada, Korea and Thailand each captured gold on the third day at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, held at Messe Essen.

Yunseo Kim of Korea delivered a commanding 2:0 victory over Ying-hsuan Huang of Chinese Taipei to take gold in the W-46kg. Bronzes went to Miaoyi Luo of China and Elisa Bertagnin of Italy.

Nithan Brindamohan of Canada clinched a thrilling 2:1 win against USA’s Ethan Gun in the M-54kg final. Nurkhan Samidinov of Kazakhstan and Matheus Gilliard Gonçalves Silva of Brazil earned bronzes.

Brazil’s Maria Clara Lima Pacheco reaffirmed her dominance in the W-57kg category by capturing the gold medal, building on her previous triumph at the Charlotte 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge. She delivered a commanding 2:0 victory over Chaima Toumi of Tunisia in the final, while Nikol Lisowska of Poland and Madina Mirabzalova of Uzbekistan secured bronze medals.

Bunlung Tubtimdang of Thailand emerged victorious 2:1 over China’s Yushual Liang in the action-packed M-68kg final. Bronze medals went to Damir Shulenov of Kazakhstan and Matthew Timothy Howell of Great Britain.

China, Ukraine, and Korea

Shine on Day 4 at Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games

ESSEN, Germany (July 20, 2025)

Day 4 of Taekwondo at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games saw China, Korea and Ukraine mount the podiums at Messe Essen.

In the W-49kg category, Jingyue Ma of China delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over Supharada Kisskalt of Germany in the final. The bronze medals went to Nodira Akhmedova of Kazakhstan and Kamonchanok Seeken of Thailand.

The M-58kg division saw Maksym Manenkov of Ukraine edge past Sirawit Mahamad of Thailand in a close 2-1 final. Tamirlan Tleules of Kazakhstan and Shamsiddin Kurbonov of Uzbekistan claimed bronze.

In the W-67kg final, Jiani Xing of China secured a 2-0 win over Lena Moreno Reyes of Spain. Minju Kwak of Korea and Leonarda Andric of Canada took home the bronze medals.

Korea’s Geonwoo Seo claimed the gold medal in the M-80kg category after defeating Jiunyi Hung of Chinese Taipei in a 2-1 final. The bronze went to Kyrylo Hurnov of Ukraine and Batyrkhan Toleugali of Kazakhstan.

Korea, Georgia and Turkiye

Take Top Honors on Day 5 at 2025 FISU World University Games

ESSEN, Germany (July 21, 2025)

W+73kg:

Korea’s Song Dominates

In the women’s heavyweight division, Dabin Song of Korea showcased her skill with a 2-0 victory over Ichun Chin of Chinese Taipei. Dagmara Haremza of Poland and Hannah Rebecca Erika Keck of the United States earned bronze.

M+87kg:

Another Gold for Korea

Sanghyun Kang of Korea edged past Marat Mavlonov of Uzbeki stan in a close 2-1 final to earn his nation’s second gold of the day. Andrii Harbar of Ukraine and Beibarys Kablan of Kazakhstan shared bronze.

On Day 5 of Taekwondo at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, Georgia, Korea and Turkiye delivered standout performances, each securing gold medals in their respective weight divisions at Messe Essen.

Women’s -62kg: Turkiye’s Golden Moment

Sevval Cakal of Turkiye claimed a well-deserved gold medal with a strong 2-0 performance over Petra Stolbova of Czechia. Bronze medals were awarded to Ivana Arelic of Croatia and Sasikarn Tongchan of Thailand.

Men’s -74kg: Georgia Strikes Gold

Zurab Kintsurashvili of Georgia overpowered Vinicius Assis Matos of Brazil with a commanding 2-0 win. The bronze medals went to Yi-jui Chiu of Chinese Taipei and Najmiddin Kosimkhojiev of Uzbekistan.

China, Kazakhstan, Turkiye, and Ukraine Shine on Day 6 of Taekwondo at Rhine-Ruhr 2025

ESSEN, Germany (July 22, 2025)

Day 6 of Taekwondo competition at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games delivered a thrilling display of athletic excellence, as athletes from China, Kazakhstan, Turkiye, and Ukraine each captured gold medals at Messe Essen.

W-53kg:

China’s Qing Guo Triumphs Qing Guo of China secured gold with a narrow 2-1 victory over Thailand’s Chutikan Jongkolrattanawattana. The bronze medals were awarded to Tunisia’s Ouhoud Ben Aoun and Korea’s Yeowon Seo.

M-63kg:

Kazakhstan Stamps Authority

Samirkhon Ababakirov of Kazakhstan delivered a decisive 2-0 performance against Turkiye’s Omer Faruk Dayioglu to claim gold. Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi of Tunisia and Kristian Storsu Borgen of Norway shared bronze.

W-73kg:

Turkiye Strikes Again

Turkiye added another gold as Sude Yaren Uzuncavdar outperformed Belgium’s Sarah Chaari in a 2-0 final. Brazil’s Mikaela Oliveira dos Santos and Korea’s Seungju Oh earned bronze.

M-87kg:

Ukraine Closes Day with Win Artem Harbar of Ukraine delivered a dominant 2-0 victory over Poland’s Szymon Piatkowski. The bronze medals went to Croatia’s Vito Krpan and Michael Christopher Rodriguez of the United States.

Uzbekistan Writes History in 1st FISU Mixed Team Event, China and Korea Strike Gold in Women’s and Men’s Team Events

ESSEN, Germany (July 23, 2025)

Taekwondo concluded its final day at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games with thrilling team matches.

In addition to the pre-existing men’s and women’s team events, this year’s event marked the official debut of the Kyorugi Mixed Team competition in the medal program — and Uzbekistan made history by capturing the inaugural gold.

The team events were held at Messe Essen and featured electrifying performances in women’s, men’s and mixed events.

Women’s Team China defeated Korea in the final Kazakhstan and Thailand earned bronze

Men’s Team Korea overcame Chinese Taipei Uzbekistan and France shared bronze

Mixed Team Uzbekistan triumphed over Egypt Kazakhstan and Germany took bronze

Looking ahead, the next FISU World University Games will take place in Chungcheong, Korea, in 2027. There, another milestone is on the horizon: Para Taekwondo has been officially added as a medal event. Para Taekwondo athletes will compete to win 14 gold medals, across four poomsae divisions and 10 kyorugi divisions.

With the addition of Para Taekwondo, the total number of Taekwondo medal events at the 2027 Games will increase from 24 to 38. This expanding medal count further solidifies Taekwondo’s standing as the third-largest sport in the FISU programme.

World Taekwondo and FISU Strengthen Humanitarian and Sport Cooperation at Rhine-Ruhr 2025

RHINE-RUHR, Germany (July 16, 2025)

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue visited the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, taking place from July 16-27.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, Choue met with FISU President Leonz Eder to reaffirm the long-standing and close partnership between the two organizations. During the meeting, they explored new avenues of collaboration, including joint humanitarian initiatives through sport.

World Taekwondo Council Member Metin Sahin, Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, and European Taekwondo Union Secretary General Antonio Barbarino were also in attendance.

Choue reflected on his joint visit with Eder to the Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps in Jordan during the 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival.

“WT, the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation and FISU discussed ways to support refugee youth together, and FISU proposed providing support through e-learning programs,” he said.

Eder highlighted the depth of the partnership between FISU and World Taekwondo, which extends beyond the field of play to humanitarian efforts.

He announced the formation of a dedicated working group within FISU to support the THF ahead of its 10th anniversary. He also praised World Taekwondo as a shining example of international collaboration.

“We are proud to be part of the World Taekwondo family and look forward to developing future projects together,” he added.

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Games mark a significant milestone for Taekwondo with the official inclusion of a Kyorugi Mixed Team competition, further raising the sport’s profile.

With this addition, Taekwondo now features 24 medal events, making it the third-largest sport on the programme.

Malabo 2025

WOMEN’S

OPEN

CHAMPIONSHIPS

World Taekwondo Women’s

Open

Championships Kick off in Malabo with Spectacular Opening Day

The Malabo 2025 World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships got underway with thrilling action across three weight categories, marking a historic milestone as Equatorial Guinea welcomed its first-ever World Taekwondo-promoted event.

This second edition of the championships brought together 188 female athletes from 35 countries plus the Refugee Team, Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) and World Taekwondo all competing for glory on African soil.

In the W-53kg category, China’s Xiaolu Wang delivered a commanding performance to claim the gold medal, defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Mckew 2:1 in the final. The bronze medals were secured by AIN Aziza Guseinova and Hyeyoung Ahn of Korea.

The W-67kg division saw Hungary’s Wuxi 2025 World Champion Luana Marton rise to the top of the podium once again with a gold medal victory over China’s Jiani Xing, who took home the silver. The bronze medals went to Spain’s World Championship Bronze Medalist Lena Moreno Reyes and Cote d’Ivoire’s Olympic bronze medalist Ruth Gbagbi, highlighting the depth of talent in this competitive weight class.

The day’s final category, the W-73kg division, produced a thrilling gold medal match as AIN Anastasiia Kosmycheva claimed a 2:1 victory against Spain’s Helena Garcia Suarez who claimed the silver medal. Spain celebrated another podium finish as Belen Moran Romero earned bronze, while Croatia’s Doris Pole also secured bronze.

Double Win for China on Day 2 of Malabo 2025 World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships

DAY 2

China celebrated winning both gold medals on offer on Day 2 of the Malabo 2025 World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships, with Jingyue Ma victorious in the W-49kg category and Qingmei Yang in the W-57kg.

FISU World University Games Gold Medalist Ma triumphed in two rounds in the W-49kg final against Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Viktoriya Eremina to clinch gold, following on from her impressive three-round win against her compatriot and World Taekwondo Championship Bronze Medalist Xiaolu Fu in the semi-final. Fu and AIN Irina Rogozina took the bronze medals.

The W-57kg final saw Yang prevail against AIN Kseniia Zdor to take China’s gold medal tally in Malabo up to three, following Xiaolu Wang’s success at W-53kg yesterday. Yang earlier won the deciding round in her semi-final against AIN Kseniia Smirnova, who was joined in third place on the podium by AIN Polina Dzaragazova.

The opening ceremony of the championships took place at Polideportivo de Malabo, attended by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue, African Taekwondo Union President Issaka Ide and World Taekwondo Vice-President Fardouza Egueh.

It featured a spectacular performance from the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team.

During the ceremony, Choue presented a 9th dan honorary black belt to President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Appreciation plaques were awarded to the First Lady of Equatorial Guinea Madame

and

DAY 3

The final day of the Malabo 2025 World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships produced more exciting competition between some of the world’s best female athletes, with China, Hungary and an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) winning golds. China won its fourth gold medal of the event through Xiaoting Ye, who overcame her compatriot and World Taekwondo Championships Bronze Medalist Shiyi Wang in the W-46kg final. Bronzes in Malabo went to AIN Alisa Angelova and AIN Milana Bekulova, the World Taekwondo Championships silver medalist in Wuxi last month.

Olympic Gold Medalist Viviana Marton of Hungary was forced to settle for silver in the W-62kg event at the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi. However, she returned to the top of the podium at the World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships with victory in the final against AIN Liliia Khuzina, the former world champion from 2023.

The bronze medals in the hotly contested W-62kg weight category went to the World Taekwondo Championships Bronze Medalist Ximin Chen of China and the newly crowned World Champion Masghouni Wafa of Tunisia.

AIN Polina Shvedkova clinched the final gold medal in the W+73kg category, with Poland’s Dagmara Haremza taking silver. Great Britain’s Lauren Williams matched her bronze from the World Taekwondo Championships, and was joined on the podium by China’s Lei Xu.

The next edition of the World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships will be held in Taiyuan, China, in 2026.

Saudi’s DUNYA ALI

his gratitude to the IOC for honoring her remarkable achievements.

ABUTALEB VIVIANA MARTON

Ali Abutaleb made history as the first Saudi woman to qualify for the Olympic Games on her own merit. She overcame numerous challenges to compete in her first Olympic Games at Paris 2024 in the W-49kg category. A resilient and dedicated athlete, she defied societal expectations by pursuing a sport from which women were previously barred in Saudi Arabia. Her journey to the Olympics was marked by determination and perseverance, culminating in her entry via the gruelling Asian qualifiers.

Ali Abutaleb is also the first female athlete from Saudi Arabia to medal at the World Taekwondo Championships: She won bronze at the 2022 edition in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Dunya began practicing Taekwondo at the age of eight, during a time when opportunities for girls in sports were limited in Saudi Arabia. Despite societal barriers, she proved that obstacles to participation in sports can be overcome with persistence. Through her journey, she has become a high-visibility role model, inspiring many young Saudi women and girls to engage in physical activity and pursue their athletic dreams.

The Piotr Nurowski Prize

The Piotr Nurowski Prize was established by the European Olympic Committee in 2010 to honor the legacy of Piotr Nurowski, the former president of the Polish Olympic Committee. Through his example, the award encourages young athletes to pursue excellence in sports while inspiring future generations to embrace a healthy lifestyle based on Olympic values and principles.

Wins IOC’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Award for Asia Wins 13th Summer Piotr Nurowski Prize

The award considers an athlete’s performance at major events, including the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), as well as their sportsmanship, engagement with Olympic culture, and commitment to friendship and values.

The International Olympic Committee announced the recipients of the IOC’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Award on March 7, recognizing outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting these values in sports. In the Asia region, Saudi Arabia’s Dunya Ali Abutaleb was honored with the prestigious award.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue congratulated Dunya Ali Abutaleb on her well-deserved recognition and expressed

Passionate about gender equality in sports, Ali Abutaleb believes that women and girls should have increased opportunities and greater visibility across various media platforms. Her presence in the media has played a crucial role in raising awareness of the inequalities women face in sports. By presenting herself as a strong and capable athlete, she has challenged stereotypes and empowered women and girls to see themselves as equally deserving of representation in competitive sports.

Beyond her personal achievements, she dedicates her time to mentoring young athletes, including coaching aspiring female Taekwondo fighters. She remains committed to advancing gender equality and inclusion in sports, serving as an inspiration for a new generation of female athletes in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Hungarian Viviana Marton received the 13th Summer Piotr Nurowski Prize at a gala sinner during the 54th EOC General Assembly in Frankfurt, Germany.

Marton won the award with 57.14% of the votes from the European National Olympic Committees (NOCs), following her remarkable gold medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She was presented with the award by IOC President Thomas Bach. At just 18 years old, she secured the W-67kg gold medal at Paris 2024, marking Hungary’s first-ever Olympic Taekwondo gold medal.

“I am so happy to win this award,” she said. “When I was just 15 years old, I was inspired by my teammate Adriana Cerezo and her performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.” She added, “I hope that my performance in Paris will inspire the next generation of young athletes.” In addition to this prestigious honor, Marton was also named Female Athlete of the Year at the World Taekwondo 2024 Gala Awards in Hong Kong last year.

According to the EOC, Márton will receive a €15,000 training scholarship to support her continued development.

Nairobi Hosts Inaugural World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships

Kenya welcomed the world’s best young Taekwondo athletes as the inaugural World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships got underway at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.

The landmark event, which runs from Dec. 3-6, featured four weight categories in action on the opening day, providing a vital new competitive platform for athletes transitioning from junior- to senior-level competition.

In the M-58kg category, Iran’s recently-crowned World Champion Abolfazl Zandi claimed the gold medal with victory over Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Magomedgadzhi Magomedov in the final. The bronze medals were secured by Brazil’s Gabriel Fonseca and Greece’s Konstantinos Dimitropoulos.

The W-49kg division produced a standout performance from AIN Milana Bekulova, the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships silver medalist who also won bronze at the Malabo 2025 World

gold medal victory over Korea’s Hyanggi Kim. Morocco’s Nezha Elaasal and Serbia’s Andrea Bokan claimed the bronze medals.

Kazakhstan’s Beibarys Kablan dominated the M+87kg category to take the gold medal, defeating Korea’s Junyoung Yang, who earned silver. Tunisia’s Motaz Ifaoui and Iran’s Amirmohammad Ashrafi, crowned world junior champion in Chuncheon last year, both stepped onto the podium with bronze medals.

The day’s final category, the W+73kg division, saw Turkiye’s Zehra Begum Kavukcuoglu triumph over Greece’s Agoritsa Artemia Kitsiou in the final. Ukraine’s Mariia Kuts and Morocco’s Imane Khayari secured the bronze medals.

Day 2

Turkiye Claims Double Gold as Nairobi 2025 World

Taekwondo

Under-21 Championships Storm Onward

Turkiye won two more gold medals at the Nairobi 2025 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships to take the country’s total to three in just two days of competition in Kenya.

Sude Yaren Uzuncavdar was victorious in the W-73kg category and Hamza Osman Aydogan in the M -63kg division, adding to Zehra Begum Kavukcuoglu’s victory in the W+73kg category one day prior.

Uzuncavdar, a former world junior champion and bronze medalist at the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships, defeated Haiti’s Ava Soon Lee in the W-73kg final for the latest major success of her career. Lee’s silver medal marked a historic achievement as Haiti’s first-ever female medal at World Taekwondo Championships level.

Lee, who finished fifth at the recent World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, delivered an impressive performance throughout the competition. Egypt’s Malak Samy and Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Polina Shvedkova claimed the bronze medals.

Turkiye’s other gold of the day came in the M-63kg category, where Aydogan triumphed in the final against Stanislav Mitkov from Bulgaria, with the bronze medals going to Tamirlan Tleules of Kazakhstan and Nitesh Singh of India.

Nairobi 2025 WORLD

Morocco’s Amina Dehhaoui claimed gold in the W-57kg cate -

gory with victory over Spain’s Carla Sesar in the final. Jordan’s Fadia Kh irfan and Iran’s Hasti Mohammadi secured the bronze medals.

The M-80kg division saw Iran’s Amirreza Gholami prevail in the final against Spain’s Mikel Fernandez to take the gold medal, his country’s second gold and fourth medal in total of the championships. AIN Ra man Turavinau and Isaiah Young of USA stepped onto the podium to take the bronze medals.

Under-21 Championships

OPENING CEREMONY

KICKS OFF

The opening ceremony of the inaugural World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships took place today in Nairobi, bringing together the best young athletes from around the world for four days of competition.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue was joined by the Principal Secretary at the State Department for Sports of the Republic of Kenya Elijah Mwangi.

World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, World Taekwondo Vice-Presidents Driss El Hilali and Jinbang Yang, World Taekwondo Council Members Slavi Binev and Maher Magableh, and African Taekwondo Union President Issaka Ide also attended.

Choue thanked the Kenyan government, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya and the Kenya Taekwondo Federation for organising the event, and underlined the importance of the Under-21 Championships.

“Your commitment has allowed us to begin this new chapter for our sport here in the vibrant heart of Nairobi,” Choue said. “The Under-21 Championships serve as an important bridge between junior and senior levels, helping young athletes prepare for future world events and the Olympic Games. Over the coming days, we will witness excellence, determination and the power of sport to bring people together.”

Principal Secretary Mwangi highlighted the power of Taekwondo to shape the lives of young people.

“Kenya’s successful bid to host these world championships, led by the Kenya Taekwondo Federation under President Major (Ret) Suleiman Sumba, underscores our growing global stature as a sporting giant,” he said.

“This martial art is more than competition; it is a pathway for creating discipline, perseverance, leadership and emotional resilience through its belt system, curbing issues like bullying while fostering physical and social growth among youth –as seen in breakthroughs like Namibia’s continental medals.”

A total of 452 athletes from 75 countries, the World Taekwondo Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) competed in Nairobi.

Iran expanded its impressive medal haul at the Nairobi 2025 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships, claiming two more golds on the third day of competition at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.

Paris 2024 Olympic Bronze Medalist Mobina Nematzadeh led Iran’s charge in the W-53kg category, defeating Turkiye’s Sila Irmak Uzuncavdar in the final. Nematzadeh, who won gold at the Sofia 2022 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, returned to championship-winning form in Kenya.

Uzuncavdar’s silver medal follows her sister Sude Yaren’s gold medal triumph in the W-73kg yesterday. Bosnia and

sion, where Radin Zeinali overcame Turkiye’s Omer Furkan Korpe in the final, bringing Iran’s total medal count to six. The United States’ Victor Rodrigues and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Benjamin Husic both earned bronze medals.

Egypt’s Moataz Bellah Asem claimed gold in the highly competitive M-54kg category with victory over India’s Ankit Mer in the final. Mer delivered an exceptional tournament performance, notably defeating the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships Gold Medalist and MVP Eunsu Seo of Korea en route to the final, showcasing the depth of talent at this inaugural championships. Jordan’s Ja’afar Aldaoud and Bulgaria’s Hristiyan Georgiev claimed the bronze medals.

The W-67kg division saw Korea’s Minju Kwak, fresh from her gold medal triumph at the Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge, continue her winning streak with victory over Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Valeriia Skaprovska in the final. Greece’s Styliani Marentaki and Montenegro’s Andrea Berisaj, who won bronze at the Sofia 2022 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, secured the bronze medals.

Day 4

Gold Medals Shared on Final Day of Nairobi 2025 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships

The Nairobi 2025 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships concluded with gold medals for Turkiye, Kazakhstan, an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) and Tunisia in another exhilarating day of competition.

Berkay Erer of Turkiye took the first gold of the day in the M-68kg category, overcoming Korea’s Jinho Mun in the final. Bronze medals went to Iran’s Matin Rezaei, the former world junior champion, and Egypt’s Omar Muhammad Fathy.

AIN Alisa Angelova clinched W-46kg gold with victory against the reigning world junior champion Yu Min Lee of Korea. Vasiliki Papadopoulou of Greece and Julia Silva Nazario of Brazil took the bronze medals.

The M-87kg event was won by Kazakhstan’s Batyrkhan Toleugali, who added to the World Taekwondo Junior Championships gold he won at Sofia 2022. He defeated Iran’s Mohammad Alizadeh in the final to triumph in Kenya’s capital. Recently-crowned World Champion Henrique Marques Rodrigues Fernandes of Brazil had to settle for bronze, and was joined on the podium by AIN Vladislav Budin. Masghouni Wafa of Tunisia earned the final gold medal in Nairobi, completing a sweep of junior, senior and under-21 world titles by winning the W-62kg final against Spain’s Elsa Secanell Charles. AIN Anastasiia Bannova placed joint-third, with Canada’s Ella Brewster matching the bronze she won at the Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships.

The inaugural edition of the World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships provided a new platform for the world’s best young athletes to showcase

Inaugural World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships Concludes in

Nairobi

Closing Ceremony Awardees

Abolfazl Zandi (Iran, M-58kg Champion)

Most Valuable Player Women Milana Bekulova (AIN, W-49kg Champion)

Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Korea

Women Team Standing (1st-5th) Turkiye, Korea, Morocco, Iran, Greece

Men Team Standings (1st-5th) Iran, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Korea

Kenya

India

Majid Aflaki (Iran)

Suat Hasturk (Turkiye)

Yohannes Bogale Sima (Ethiopia)

Dania Gonzalez Cancino (Chile)

The inaugural Nairobi 2025 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships officially concluded with a closing ceremony at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, where awards were presented to recognise outstanding achievements throughout the competition.

The landmark event provided a vital new competitive platform for athletes transitioning from junior to senior level competition, with medals awarded across 16 weight categories over four days. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue was joined at the ceremony by officials including World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, World Taekwondo Vice-President Driss El Hilali, World Taekwondo Council Members Maher Magableh and Jay Warwick, World Taekwondo Athletes’ Commission

Co-Chair and IOC Athletes’ Commission

Member Cheick Sallah Cisse, and African Taekwondo Union President Issaka Ide.

The second edition of the World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships is set to take place in Samokov, Bulgaria, in 2027.

Ciao Team Captivates IOC President

President of the International Olympic Committee Kirsty Coventry attended a performance by the Ciao Team at the Multifunctional Arena of the “Giulio Onesti” Olympic Training Center. It was a moment of great prestige as the Italian Taekwondo Demonstration Team showcased its energy, technical excellence and enthusiasm to the IOC president.

Also in attendance were President of the Italian Taek-

wondo Federation Angelo Cito and Secretary General of the Italian National Olympic Committee Carlo Mornati.

After attending the lighting of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch Relay celebration cauldron at Piazza del Quirinale in Rome and receiving the Giulio Onesti Award, Coventry expressed her desire to personally observe a team that promotes the values of peace, cooperation and solidarity, which lie at the core of the Ciao Team project.

At the end of the performance, Coventry congratulated the Ciao Team athletes, describing their display as fantastic. It was an important acknowledgment for the Ciao Team and for the Italian Taekwondo Federation, reaffirming the role of Italian Taekwondo on the international stage.

Shortly afterwards, the Ciao Team delivered a second performance

in Olympic Studies / Sport Organisations Management,” an advanced training programme for professionals working within sports organisations of the Olympic Movement. In this context as well, the freestyle Taekwondo team received considerable appreciation for its technical quality and for its ability to embody the values of collaboration and dialog

VTKD

PARA TEST DAY

Highlights New Opportunities for Inclusive Sports Through VR

MILAN, Italy (Nov. 23, 2025)

The Virtual Taekwondo (VTKD) Para Test Day, held on Nov. 23 at the CUS Milano Sports Center, showcased how virtual reality (VR) can open new participation pathways for athletes across diverse Para Taekwondo classifications. The initiative demonstrated the potential of immersive technology to support athletes whose divisions traditionally do not include combat-based competition.

The session was supervised by certified international operators Matteo Cito and Cristina Pescante, ensuring safe and professional technical guidance.

Participants with mild cognitive challenges showed strong engagement with both the technology and the interactive format, benefiting from the mixed-reality environment that encouraged quick decision-making and

tactical thinking. Athletes with various motor impairments also responded positively, requiring only minimal equipment adjustments to fully take part.

The event generated several ideas to further enhance accessibility, including alternative movement options, improved audio and tactile feedback for visually impaired athletes, and light equipment adaptations. Notably, athletes with lower-limb amputations were able to participate at levels similar to non-impaired users.

The Test Day underscored the value of VTKD Para as an innovative platform to broaden access to sport through technology, offering promising potential for future development. The event was organized by the Italian Taekwondo Federation, in collaboration with ATP Ikigai Taekwondo Association.

Expanding the Frontiers of Taekwondo:

Breakthrough Year for Virtual Taekwondo

In 2025, World Taekwondo accelerated its digital transformation journey, positioning Virtual Taekwondo (VTKD) as a dynamic and inclusive innovation in the global sports landscape. With the launch of the WT VTKD Match Operator Certification Program - certifying 67 operators across Rome (June), Muju (July), and Singapore (December) - WT strengthened the technical foundation required to support this rapidly expanding discipline. Match Operators now play a pivotal role in ensuring safe, standardized world- class competitions, enabling VTKD’s growing presence across continents.

WT also marked major milestones in international engagement. At the Empower Esports Worldwide Series in Shenzhen in February, WT presented VTKD alongside major industry leaders, highlighting opportunities in Esports integration and AI-driven training.

Shortly after, in May, at the 80th CISM General Assembly in Colombo, WT introduced VTKD to delegates from 76 nations, generating strong interest for inclusion as a Demonstration Sport at the 2027 CISM World Military Games. Grassroots popularity continued to rise. Japan’s Virtual Taekwondo Japan (VTJ) Series drew significant participation across schools and universities throughout the year, while high-profile demonstrations in France showcased VTKD as “The Martial Art of TVomorrow” at VivaTech 2025. In Thailand, the Demonstration Championship in Hua Hin attracted both youth and elite competitors, reinforcing VTKD’s appeal across cultures.

WT and Refract’s innovation ecosystem also reached the global stage at the MVEX 2025 Metaverse Expo in Seoul. During Session 4, leaders discussed how immersive technologies, mixed-reality sports, and next- generation motion are reshaping engagement in sport and education. VTKD was highlighted as a leading example of how real-sport integrity can merge with metaverse - driven experiences, reinforcing WT’s role at the forefront of digital sport evolution.

The year also saw meaningful progress in Virtual Para Taekwondo. A dedicated Test Day in Milan demonstrated how VR can open new pathways for athletes with diverse impairments. Participants responded enthusiastically, offering insights for enhanced tactile and audio accessibility - an important step toward a more inclusive digital future.

WT’s partnership with Refract Technologies, led by Chong Geng Ng, continued to strengthen. Refract’s AXIS motion-tracking system and VR-enabled gameplay drive VTKD’s realism and accessibility, extending Taekwondo into new gaming, fitness, and entertainment spaces. Combined with WT’s push for AI-enhanced tools and safety innovation, VTKD stands as a model for meaningful evolution of traditional sport. Looking ahead, VTKD is poised for its most transformative leap yet - with growing IOC recognition, expansion into multi-sport events such as the South East Asian Games and the International School Sport Federation’s Gymnasiade, and global adoption driven by the dedication of VTKD Match Operators. Their leadership has brought VTKD from concept to global movement, redefining how the next generation will play, compete, and belong.

2025 African Junior Championships

AUG

M -45kg GOLD ISSAKA Mahamadou Guero NIG

SILVER AFHEEJ Hammam A LBA

M -48kg GOLD ABDOUL Issifi Mamoudou NIG

SILVER LADIMAT Abdellatif MAR

BRONZE DIA Serigne Fallou SEN

BRONZE FACI Moussa-mouatz-billa ALG

M -51kg GOLD AHMED Alieldin EGY

SILVER MORJAN Ali MAR

BRONZE ELUSOJI Akorede NGR

M -55kg GOLD KONATE Morikounadi Abdoul Hakim CIV

SILVER OUINATE Mohammed MAR

BRONZE ALRIJAL Ahmad F LBA

BRONZE ZANIR Chiheb ALG

M -59kg GOLD OUATTARA Baba Assad CIV

SILVER ADEMONLA Frejus TOG

BRONZE TOURE Hamma MLI

BRONZE SAMER Maged EGY

M -63kg GOLD SAEED Mohamed Wesam EGY

SILVER THIAM Bassirou SEN

BRONZE TOURE Mahamoud Cheick CIV

BRONZE ISHIMWE Diciel BDI

M -68kg GOLD KHOMANI Reda MAR

SILVER SIDIBE Djeby CIV

BRONZE ABOUEL MAATI Yassen Bahaeldin Salah EGY

BRONZE ATEWA Mohamed Waleed Moftah LBA

M -73kg GOLD AMAN Omar Mohamed Elsayed EGY

SILVER EBEM Aristide Bertin CMR

BRONZE ALHABISHI Yousuf Adel LBA

BRONZE ADJITCHE Olushegun Idohou Saintio BEN

M -78kg GOLD TOUMI Abderrahmane ALG

SILVER ELBORKI Mahmud M LBA

-42kg

SADOU Chamsiya NIG

NDIAYE Gomelle

SOUMANA Samira NIG

NOUHAILA Achehboun MAR BRONZE DIALLO Mariam

2025 Asian Cadet-Junior Championships

July 27-28 • Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

M -45kg GOLD BAKHRAMKULOV Bunyad KAZ

SILVER LEE Youngjoo KOR

BRONZE SHAHEEN Abdullah JOR

BRONZE ALSHAHRANI Khalid Abdullah M KSA

M -48kg GOLD HAN Hanjunho KOR

SILVER SHARKAOE Saeed JOR

BRONZE KASEMSIN Panuwat THA

BRONZE SAMATULY Nurperzent KAZ

M -63kg GOLD FUANGNOI Thanapoom THA

SILVER SAADATI Mohammad Mehdi IRI

BRONZE DEWALI Nihal IND

BRONZE ALARIAO Chuck Aeron PHI

M -73kg GOLD MUN Seunghun KOR

SILVER MUKHTOROV Akhadjon UZB

BRONZE RAKHIMOLLIYEV Daulet KAZ

BRONZE MEESUK Natthaphat THA

M +78kg GOLD EOM Simok KOR

SILVER SHAHBAZI Ilya IRI

BRONZE SHAPTEFRATS Yegor KAZ

BRONZE SINGH Akhilesh IND

W -42kg GOLD SERIKBAYEVA Aiym KAZ

SILVER MOZAFARI Negar IRI

BRONZE PATNANTHAHIRUN Phetchadaporn THA

BRONZE CADILENA Ryzza Anne Shyreen PHI

W -52kg GOLD KIM Siwoo KOR

SILVER WANG Shiyue CHN

BRONZE MORAMAT Panbua THA

BRONZEGODARZI Rozhan IRI

W -59kg GOLD KHANALI Sayna IRI

SILVER KAZNABEK Togzhan KAZ

BRONZE GUO Ruyue CHN

BRONZE WU Yi-jie TPE

W -63kg GOLD LEE Gaeun KOR

SILVER CHEN Yuge CHN

BRONZE YUN Lyubov KAZ

BRONZE CHOU Ko-yi-chun TPE

W +68kg GOLD ALIPOOR Elina IRI

SILVER KIM Borim KOR

BRONZE AMIROVA Gulzora UZB

BRONZE ZHANG Qing CHN

Date Event Medal Name NOC Code

SAT 26 July (Day 2)

M -51kg GOLD RAZMIAN Mehdi IRI

SILVER CAO Xiaohuan CHN

BRONZE AL Qaboos OMA

BRONZE YELIBAI Rinat KAZ

M -55kg GOLD NASIRAHMADI Amirmohammad IRI

SILVER PHALAK Pongsakon THA

BRONZE BAHODUR Abdujafari TJK

BRONZE CHEN Changyou CHN

M -59kg GOLD OTABEKOV Omadbek UZB

SILVER ALIPOUR MobinIRI

BRONZE LEE Eunseok KOR

BRONZE EM Pavel KAZ

M -68kg GOLD LEE Jun Hyuk KOR

SILVER KAJAROEN Anantasin THA

BRONZE NOVLIS Muhammad Asyraff Haiqal MAS

BRONZE HOSSEINI Seyed Ali IRI

M -78kg GOLD RAHMANIZADEH Amir Reza IRI

SILVER SAWAN Kevin LBN

BRONZE NAFEA Osaid JOR

BRONZE KIM Kyu Hyun KOR

W -44kg GOLD FALLAH Zahra IRI

SILVER HUANG Yiting TPE

BRONZE HOANG Thi Thu Huyen VIE

BRONZE RAMADHANI Salsabilla INA

W -46kg GOLD LEE Yumin KOR

SILVER ZHENG Zhihan CHN

BRONZE CADILENA Rhiyanne Agatha Shay PHI

BRONZE ZHELEU Akbota KAZ

W -49kg GOLD KIM Hyang-gi KOR

SILVER YEH Yu Chi TPE

BRONZE OSHINDEN Sakura JPN

BRONZE ALIPOUR Saina IRI

W -55kg GOLD XU Yinuo CHN

SILVER TAMANIT Nattamonkarn THA

BRONZE THAKUR Aranaya IND

BRONZE CHOI Kunyoung KOR

W -68kg GOLD NAIMANBAYEVA Aruzhan KAZ

SILVER ESKANDARNIA Fatemeh IRI

BRONZE LIN Yu Hsuan TPE

BRONZE LI Yishan CHN

M -37kg GOLD SANTILLAN, Dondy PHI

SILVER TALGATOV Azim KAZ

BRONZE ZAMRI Adid Aeril Iman MAS

BRONZE KEMELOV Erzhan KGZ

M -41kg GOLD PARK Haebin KOR

SILVER PROMCHANA Anawin THA

BRONZE AMANKELDI Bagdat KAZ

BRONZE SALIEV Amir UZB

M -45kg GOLD AL-YUSUFI Dawood Fahad OMA

SILVER CHANG Chun-hsiang TPE

BRONZE JEON Yonghyeon KOR

BRONZE PETER Eyrfan Naufal Ryan MAS

M -65kg GOLD BIBIKOV Nikita UZB

SILVER ROMASHKIN Khamzaalper KAZ

BRONZE KIM Gyubeom KOR

BRONZE HUANG Tsung-huan TPE

M +65kg GOLD HWANG Woonhyuk KOR

SILVER SAGYNGALI Zhantore KAZ

BRONZE LIN Sheng-che TPE

BRONZE SUPRAPTO Arjuna Putra Danendra INA

W -33kg GOLD IEMSA-ARD Thipanan THA

SILVER CHEN Yi-jhen TPE

BRONZE CHOI So Yun KOR

BRONZE AZ Alissa MAS

W -37kg GOLD MOON Seonmi KOR

SILVER PORNCHAITHAMMAKHUN Chatpavee THA

BRONZE ZHUANG Zi-ying TPE

BRONZE MURADOVA Oliya TJK

W -41kg GOLD ASANBAEVA Raykhona UZB

SILVER PETCHANA Nalada THA

BRONZE MEDELBEKOVA Aiaru KAZ

BRONZE IBRAHIM Karel LBN

W -59kg GOLD NGUYEN Ngoc Lan Phuong VIE

SILVER KIM Jiu KOR

BRONZE JHUANG Yi-syuan TPE

BRONZE AMIR Aisha KAZ

W +59kg GOLD RADIK Aima KAZ

SILVER LEE Siyeon KOR

BRONZE KAMALOVA Shakhzodabonu UZB

BRONZE LOPEZ Relysa Nair Mary MAS

MAKSADOV Alyhan TKM

BRONZE AL-KINANI Mahdi Ali Salah IRQ

BRONZE SAIFUL Muhammad Izz Khalish MAS

M -49kg GOLD THAIUDOM Posawat THA

SILVER CHOI Junyeong KOR

BRONZE VO Viet Anh VIE

BRONZE SINGH Vinit IND

M -53kg GOLD NITHITBOWORNPHAK Tanaphat THA

SILVER LIYAD Jian Axl KhloePHI

BRONZE . Aryaveer IND

BRONZE NGUYEN Minh Quang VIE

M -57kg GOLD JEON Yeongha KOR

SILVER LE Quang Huy VIE

BRONZE WATANABE Koga JPN

BRONZE LIN Xing You TPE

M -61kg GOLDSHAROFIDDINOV Bilolliddin UZB

SILVER OMAYAN

2025 European Junior Championships

Nov. 19-21 • Vaud, Switzerland

Medalists by Weight Category

WED 19 NOV

M -45kg GOLD GOLUBEV Ilia AIN

SILVER AULAQI Yosef Darid DEN

BRONZE BUDAGLI Mehdi AZE

BRONZE TAYLOR Sam GBR

W -42kg GOLD TKHAMOKOVA Elina AIN

SILVER KALOGIROU Paraskevi GRE

BRONZE KINGSLEY Poppy GBR

BRONZE ZANDER Johanna Carlotta GER

M -48kg GOLD HATAMLI Ilyas AZE

SILVER MAGOMEDOV Kurbanmagomed AIN

BRONZEAIDONIDIS Charalampos GRE

BRONZE GESGE Altug TUR

W -44kg GOLD UGLESIC Petra CRO

SILVER SALIM Kamilah HUN

BRONZE GEVORGIAN Alina AIN

BRONZE KAMIS Azra Naz TUR

M -51kg GOLD AGENJO Jairo ESP

SILVER ROSCA Artiom MDA

BRONZE ALIYEV Novruz AZE

BRONZE LEPAPE Andreas FRA

W -46kg GOLD DIAZ Violeta ESP

SILVER HINIC Sofija CRO

BRONZE PEEVA Deya BUL

BRONZE TATARINTSEVA Viktoriia AIN

M +78kg GOLD PUSHKIN Kirill AIN

SILVER LYSENKO Ivan ESP

BRONZE HANUSOVSKY Richard SVK

BRONZE MIZRAK Yusuf Efe TUR

THU 20 NOV M -55kg GOLD PSARROS Aristeidis Nikolaos GRE

SILVER TOUIAR Abderrahman ITA

BRONZE EVIN Emre Talha TUR

BRONZE MAJCZYNA Karol POL

W -49kg GOLD NINIC Tina SRB

SILVER ASIMAKI Lamprini Anna GRE

BRONZEVOLOSENKO Zlatoslava UKR

BRONZESOKOLOVA Nika AIN

M -59kg GOLD SHERRATT Alexander GBR

SILVER KLJAJIC Nikola SRB

BRONZE POBLADOR Enrique ESP

BRONZE IAKEL Sergei AIN

RADIC Ozana CRO

SILVER KLAKALA Magdalini GRE

BRONZE UZUNCAVDAR Sila Irmak TUR

BRONZE SUSILUOTO Inari FIN

-63kg GOLD MITKOV Stanislav BUL

SILVER IVANOVIC Sergej SRB

BRONZE FERNANDEZ Nicolas ESP

BRONZE KUZNIETSOV Artom UKR

W -55kg GOLD LUKIC Jana SRB

SILVER LAKEHAL-ROLLINGS Manissa FRA

BRONZE GOZ Mumune Nur TUR

BRONZE FRASSICA Anna ITA

21 NOV M -68kg GOLD KAZANCHEV Kazbulat AIN

SILVER SALIMOV Vasif AZE

BRONZE CAVUSMAN Aslan Eymen GER

BRONZE PANAGOPOULOS Apostolos GRE

W -59kg GOLD ZECIROVIC Nina SRB

SILVER HOFFMANN Emilia POL

BRONZE HADZIC Damija GER

BRONZE UGLESIC Klara CRO

M -73kg GOLD CHEKALIN Aleksandr AIN

SILVER HAKOBYAN Alexander ESP

BRONZENIKOLAOU Nikolas CYP

BRONZE GOGOBERIDZE Nika GEO W -63kg GOLD RANKOV Vanja SRB

SILVER BROMBERGER Lamprini GRE

BRONZE HRGIC Anja BIH

BRONZE ABRAHAMY Roni ISR M -78kg GOLD ALIYEV Eljan AZE

SILVER ZAPPONE Andrea ITA

BRONZE VITKOVIC Nikola SRB

BRONZE ZMPITAS Georgios GRE W -68kg GOLD SRHOJ Maja CRO

SILVER ZECIROVIC Ema SRB

BRONZE JASARAGIC Dania AUT

BRONZE VINCENT Paige GBR

W +68kg GOLD KOSEOGLU Elifnaz TUR

SILVER SEVIC Andjela SRB

BRONZE MIKHALCHUK Palina AIN

BRONZE KUCHYNA Viktoriia UKR

Cadet-Junior Pan American Championship 2025 National Teams

by Weight Category - Cadets

-49kg

ASTORGA Christopher Andre ESA

SILVER VELAZQUEZ Eros PUR

BRONZE BARBER Jacques USA

BRONZE PALMIER DannyUSA W -44kg GOLD JOTIE Leela USA

SILVER SUH Skye USA

BRONZE SIERRA Hailenid De La Caridad CUB

BRONZE VEGA-GARCIA Allyah USA

BRONZE CHERNOLUTSKIY Maya USA

M -57kg GOLD DABLA Alexander USA

SILVER TORRES Makio USA

BRONZE DE Gabriel Vitor BRA

BRONZE SANTARRIAGA Ian Carlos MEX

W -51kg GOLD HIDALGO Miriam .WT

SILVER CORTES Grecia Elena MEX

BRONZE MADERA Leeana PUR

BRONZE ELIAS Luisa Mariela ESA

M -61kg GOLD SAMARDZIC Nikola CAN

SILVER SANCHEZ Emilio MEX

BRONZE LUBECKI Alan USA

BRONZE ALVAREZ Julio Andres ECU

W -55kg GOLD HERNANDEZ Renata MEX

SILVER ALLENDE Zoe USA

BRONZE CARVER Adele CAN

BRONZE BREWSTER Hannah CAN

M -65kg GOLD CARMENATY Hector Eduardo MEX

SILVER CROCKER Kaiden CAN

W -59kg GOLD HERNANDEZ Crismel NCA

SILVER VAZQUEZ Yazid Sayumi MEX

BRONZE ANGLADA Addison USA

BRONZE MARTINEZ Miriam .WT

M +65kg GOLD SALAZAR Landon USA

SILVER MONARREZ Abraham Heriberto MEX

BRONZE LENCO Hanan CAN

BRONZE OBEID Ali CAN

W +59kg GOLD BARRIOS Valentina MEX

SILVER STOREY Hailey CAN

BRONZE OLIVEIRA Isadora Gabriela BRA

Medalists by Weight Category - Juniors

GUZMAN Cedric

HON

MEDINA Alberto Alexander MEX

W -42kg GOLD VENKATARAMAN Sruthi USA

SILVER BERMUDEZ AliaPUR

BRONZE PADUA Ivanna Gabrielle CAN

BRONZE CYSNE Valentina BRA

M -48kg GOLD GILLIS Zach CAN

SILVER RODRIGUEZ Gabriel Matias COL

BRONZE PORTILLO Diego Ivan MEX

BRONZE MCCALPIN Marcus USA

W -44kg GOLD CANEZO Halo USA

SILVER KIM Kaylee USA

BRONZE MONTERO Natalia MEX

BRONZE DE Marina Gomes V BRA

M -51kg GOLD TORRES Daniel Estiven COL

SILVER PRAGANO Lorenzo USA

BRONZE BENITEZ Alan PUR

BRONZE S. Rafael CAN

W -46kg GOLD MAGALHAES Ana Clara BRA

SILVER GOEBEL Crosby USA

BRONZE BORDOKINA Maria CAN

BRONZE ALERS Alannis Michelle PUR

M -55kg GOLD VAZQUEZ Axel Daniel MEX

SILVER FLORES Christopher USA

BRONZE VELASQUEZ Felipe CHI

BRONZE FELIX Adrian J. PUR

W -49kg GOLD ROMERO Jazleen USA

SILVER GUTIERREZ Amparo MEX

BRONZE ESTEPA Isla CAN

BRONZE QUESADA Jordan USA

M -59kg GOLD FONSECA Gabriel BRA

SILVER MONDACA-WANG Ian USA

BRONZE PEREZ Zaid Yael MEX

BRONZE LASSO Sebastian PAN

W -52kg GOLD HERRERA Aline Sarai MEX

CHERNOLUTSKIY Viktoria USA

BRONZE LOPES Giovanna Vitoria BRA BRONZE VAN Steffanie

World Taekwondo honours world’s best at

2025 Gala Awards in Fujairah

The global Taekwondo family gathered in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, to celebrate another outstanding year of sporting excellence at the World Taekwondo 2025 Gala Awards, held at the Al Bahar Hotel. Recognising achievements from the 2025 season, the prestigious Gala Awards brought together the world’s leading figures in Taekwondo to honour the athletes, coaches, referees and Member National Associations (MNAs) who left a lasting mark on the sport over the past year. The ceremony was attended by World Taekwondo President Dr. Chungwon Choue, vice presidents and members of the Council, officials from the Continental Unions and Member National Associations, as well as Crown Prince of Fujairah H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.

In his opening address, President Choue expressed his sincere gratitude to the Crown Prince of Fujairah and reflected on a memorable year for Taekwondo, highlighting the sport’s continued global development, competitive excellence, and the emergence of new talents across both Olympic and Para Taekwondo.

Belgium’s Sarah Chaâri was crowned Female Athlete of the Year after another standout year on the international stage. Her results included gold at the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships along with silvers at the Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge and the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, further cementing her status among the sport’s elite.

The Male Athlete of the Year award was presented to Henrique Marques Rodrigues Fernandes of Brazil following an exceptional season that included a memorable gold medal at the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships. He also triumphed at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge events in Bangkok and Muju Taekwondowon, and won a bronze medal at the first-ever World Taekwondo Under 21 Championships in Nairobi.

MaleAthleteoftheYear

Henrique Marques

Rodrigues Fernandes Brazil

FemaleAthleteoftheYear

Sarah Chaâri Belgium

KickoftheYear

CJ Nickolas USA

FemaleAthleteoftheYear

Yujie Li China

ParaTaekwondo

MaleAthleteoftheYear

Ayoub Adouich Morocco

The world’s leading athletes in Para Taekwondo were also recognised during the evening.

China’s Yujie Li was named Para Taekwondo Female Athlete of the Year, following an outstanding season that saw her claim gold medals at the President’s Cup Asia and the Asian Championships.

Ayoub Adouich of Morocco received the Para Taekwondo Male Athlete of the Year award after securing gold at the 2025 Open Challenge.

In recognition of their contribution to the sport, Ivan Penava of Croatia was named Male Referee of the Year, while Ji Hyun Yeom of Korea received the Female Referee of the Year award.

The Coach of the Year honour went to Hechmi Jendoubi of Tunisia, who helped his athletes to win the country’s first two gold medals in the history of the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi.

Meanwhile, Kabiraj Negi Lama of Nepal was presented with the Para Taekwondo Coach of the Year award, after playing a key role in the country’s historic first-ever Paralympic medal in 2024, as well as their bronze medal at the Asian Youth Para Games Dubai 2025. The Kick of the Year Award was presented to CJ Nickolas of the USA, whose dynamic techniques and explosive power consistently electrify the arena and captivate fans around the world.

In the institutional categories, the Chinese Taekwondo Association received the MNA of the Year (Contribution) award in recognition of the successful organisation of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships, while USA Taekwondo was presented with the MNA of the Year (MNA Ranking) award, based on the latest World Taekwondo MNA rankings.

At the Gala Awards, President Choue presented an appreciation plaque to Council Member and UAE Taekwondo Federation President Dr. Ahmed Alzeyoudi, in recognition of his efforts to promote Taekwondo in the region through the Fujairah Open and the hosting of the Gala Awards 2025.

FemaleRefereeoftheYear Ji Hyun Yeom Korea

The World Taekwondo 2025 Gala Awards once again provided a fitting celebration of excellence, dedication and progress across the global Taekwondo community, bringing an outstanding year for the sport to a close.

The 2026 World Taekwondo Gala Awards will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on November 29, in conjunction with the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final scheduled on November 27-29.

PART 2

AROUND WT

World Taekwondo Council Elects Hosts for Upcoming Events through 2027

The World Taekwondo Council convened prior to the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah, UAE, where it confirmed the cities, worldwide, that will host the extensive series of competitions through to end-2027.

Notably, thee World Taekwondo Grand Prix series host cities were decided for 2026 and 2027. The Grand Prix series is an important pathway for athletes seeking to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix series will feature events in Rome, Italy (Grand Prix 1); Muju, Korea (Grand Prix 2); and Paris, France (Grand Prix 3) before the Grand Prix Final and World Taekwondo Gala Awards in Astana, Kazakhstan.

In 2027, Rome (Grand Prix 1), Paris (Grand Prix 2) and Manchester, Great Britain (Grand Prix 3) have been confirmed to host the year’s Grand Prix. The events will be followed by the Grand Prix Final and Gala Awards in Taian, China.

In 2027, Muju will also host World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge 3, which offers a pathway to Grand Prix qualification and is open to a wider pool of athletes under the fairer and more dynamic Olympic ranking points system introduced by

World Taekwondo ahead of LA28.

The chosen cities are all proven hosts of outstanding Taekwondo events. Each presented their plans to the World Taekwondo Council before receiving approval.

Among other events allocated were the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships to Chuncheon, Korea, which faced competition from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships was awarded to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, overcoming a rival bid from Chongqing, China. Athens, Greece, was elected as host of the 2027 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships ahead of Pune, India.

The 2025 World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships were granted to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, and the 2026 edition to Taiyuan, China.

Nairobi, Kenya will host the 2025 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships.

“Today’s event allocations by the World Taekwondo Council demonstrate the global strength of Taekwondo and secure world-class hosts for our athletes,” World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said. “Congratulations to all bidding MNAs. We look forward to attending the wonderful events in your countries.”

At the beginning of the meeting, World Taekwondo Council members observed a moment of silence in memory of His Holiness Pope Francis and Grandmaster Youngghil Park, former

chair of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Committee.

World Taekwondo Vice-President Kyuseok Lee was also appointed as World Taekwondo honorary vice-president, effective from when he retires as Asian Taekwondo Union President on July 24. Choue presented Lee with a plaque of appreciation for his lifelong dedication to the sport.

During his report, Choue welcomed the newest members of the World Taekwondo Council: IOC Member in Rwanda and Olympic Refuge Foundation Board Member Felicite Rwemarika, and Shaddad Alamri of Saudi Arabia.

The World Taekwondo Council additionally approved the updated World Taekwondo Election Bylaws, amendments to the World Taekwondo Disciplinary Actions and Appeals Code, and recommendations from an Ad-Hoc Committee on amendments to Competition Rules & Interpretation.

Amendments to the World Taekwondo Event Operation Rules and Virtual Taekwondo Rules and Regulations were approved, along with the Regulations on the Virtual Taekwondo Match Operator.

The World Taekwondo Council also approved the recommendations of the Member Relations and Development (MRD) Commission to suspend the Member National Association (MNA) of Costa Rica and to establish interim management boards for both the Costa Rica and Mexico MNAs, in consultation and cooperation with the respective local sports authorities.

The action concerning the Mexico MNA follows statutory and governance concerns related to its election process last year, while the Costa Rica MNA was suspended in light of serious safeguarding concerns.

World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo delivered an operational report on WT’s financial statements of the year 2024; development programs for stakeholders whch amounted to USD 2 million; and the results of e-votes.

ASTANA

Astana, Kazakhstan, was approved as host of the 2027 World Taekwondo Championships by the World Taekwondo Council at its meeting ahead of the elective World Taekwondo General Assembly.

It marks the first time ever that a World Taekwondo Championships will be held in Kazakhstan. It will bring together the world’s best athletes to compete in outstanding facilities in the landmark year before the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The World Taekwondo Council also awarded the 2027 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships to Samokov, Bulgaria.

Host city contracts were signed following the World Taekwondo Council meeting.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “Congratulations to Astana and Samokov on being awarded the 2027 World Taekwondo Championships and World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships, respectively.”

“We are pleased to have two excellent hosts for our events, and look forward to seeing the sport’s biggest stars competing in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympics.”

During the meeting, Choue gratefully received the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch, kindly donated by IOC Culture and Heritage Commission Member and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Board Member Justin Hou. This adds to World Taekwondo’s collection of Olympic Torches from Games where Taekwondo has featured as a medal sport.

President Choue appointed Aïcha Garad Ali as Honorary Vice President in recognition of her service as Vice President. He also presented her with a plaque of appreciation.

A plaque of appreciation was also presented by Choue to African Taekwondo Union President Issaka Ide, who is not standing for re-election on the World Taekwondo Council.

Choue updated the World Taekwondo Council on his recent meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, and confirmed that the 2025 Gala Awards and a World Taekwondo Extraordinary Council Meeting will be held in Fujairah, UAE on Jan. 31, 2026.

The World Taekwondo Council met prior to a record-breaking World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi from Oct. 24-30, which will feature 991 athletes from 180 Member National Associations, Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), athletes competing under the World Taekwondo flag and the World Taekwondo Refugee Team.

The World Taekwondo Championships was last held in China in Beijing in 2007. President Choue reflected on World Taekwondo’s development since then, and

invited the room to observe a moment of silence in memory of Council members who have passed away since then.

Reports were also heard from World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Membership and Integrity Department Corbin Min, and World Taekwondo Technical Commission Chair Philippe Bouedo and Sports Director Kisam Kim on proposed rule amendments, which were approved by the Council to be presented to the World Taekwondo General Assembly.

This was the final meeting of the World Taekwondo Council’s mandate, with elections to be held during tomorrow’s World Taekwondo General Assembly.

“I wish to thank every one of you for your friendship and commitment all these years,” said Choue.

Reunion and Saint Pierre & Miquelon

Increase World Taekwondo Membership to 215 Plus Refugee Team

Reunion and Saint Pierre & Miquelon were approved as Associate Members in the morning session of the World Taekwondo General Assembly, increasing World Taekwondo’s membership to 215, inclusive of the World Taekwondo Refugee Team membership.

The addition of the two underlines the universality of Taekwondo, and puts World Taekwondo among the top three Olympic International Federations in terms of membership numbers.

The World Taekwondo General Assembly additionally approved a membership status change of Belize, recognizing it as a new Member National Association (MNA).

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue opened the World Taekwondo General Assembly by thanking the hosts for preparing the upcoming World Taekwondo Championships, running from Oct. 24-30 in Wuxi, the biggest edition of the event ever, in terms of registered athletes.

He invited the World Taekwondo General Assembly to congratulate MNA and Continental Union presidents who have been elected or re-elected since the 2024 World Taekwondo General Assembly in Chuncheon, Korea, and expressed his appreciation to World Taekwondo vice-presidents and Council members who are not standing for re-election.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry addressed the assembly via video message, praising World Taekwondo’s development under the leadership of Choue and offering best wishes to all participants in the upcoming championships.

“With an unprecedented number of athletes from around the world, these World Championships are sure to be a wonderful celebration of Taekwondo and its universal appeal as a truly global sport,” Coventry said. “On behalf of the International Olympic Committee, I extend my appreciation to the wonderful Chinese hosts who have prepared the stage for the athletes in such an excellent way.

“My heartfelt congratulations also go to everyone at World Taekwondo and its president, Dr. Choue, for taking the sport to new heights. By driving Taekwondo forward in inspiring ways, you are showing that sport is more than competition. It is about friendship, respect and solidarity.”

The World Taekwondo General Assembly approved the Operation and Finance Reports 2024-2025 delivered by Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, along with amendments to the World Taekwondo Statutes that clarify the process for recognising Associate Members and introduce a clearer pathway for Provisional Members.

The ad-hoc Competition Rules Review Committee that was formed following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games presented its proposals to the World Taekwondo General Assembly for amendments to the Competition Rules & Interpretation.

These were approved by the assembled MNAs. Amendments to the Para Taekwondo Competition Rules and Para Taekwondo Athlete Classification Rules were also approved.

Chungwon Choue Re-Elected as WT President

Jingbang Yang, Sakis Pragalos, Dris El Hilali Elected as Vice-Presidents

Since first being elected in 2004, Choue has overseen the modernisation and transformation of Taekwondo, firmly establishing the sport’s presence on the Olympic programme. He has additionally helped World Taekwondo to develop a strong reputation for its humanitarian work with refugee athletes and displaced people through the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation.

“I am incredibly honoured to be re-elected by you for this final term,” he said. “I promise you that, together with the new Council, we will do even more for the betterment of our beloved Taekwondo community.

“It has been a blessing to be part of this incredible journey, and along the way, I have met wonderful people who enriched my life. Together, we were able to achieve many outstanding results to not only retain Taekwondo’s Olympic status, but to become a globally recognised leader in sports.

“The mandate that you have given me today will serve as my aspiration to deliver a marketable and reborn sport, Taekwondo, to elevate all of us to become one of the most respected International Federations in the world.”

Six candidates stood for the four vice-president slots. Jinbang Yang (Korea, 98 votes), Athanasios Pragalos (Greece, 96 votes) and Driss El Hilali (Morocco, 81 votes) were elected.

In total, 33 candidates stood for the 14 elected positions on the World Taekwondo Council, with minimum quota requirements of one male and one female from each continent to ensure balance. The four remaining candidates with the highest number of votes were also elected.

Fardouza Egueh (Djibouti, 83 votes) will serve as World Taekwondo vice-president as the highest-voted female Council member.

The following candidates were elected to the World Taekwondo Council through continent and gender quotas:

AFRICA ASIA

Fardouza Egueh (Djibouti, 83 votes)

Mohamed (Meedo) Shaaban (Egypt, 65 votes)

EUROPE

Slavtcho (Slavi) Binev (Bulgaria, 90 votes)

Anna Vassallo (Malta, 65 votes)

PAN AMERICA

Inseon Kim (USA, 90 votes)

Maria Rosario Borello Castillo (Guatemala, 46 votes)

Ahmed Hamdan Alzeyoudi (UAE, 93 votes)

Hadwah Moawad (Saudi Arabia, 80 votes)

Maher Magableh (Australia, 81 votes)

Lauren Burns (Australia, 46 votes)

The remaining four seats were allocated to:

Angelo Cito (Italy, 87 votes)

Metin Sahin (Turkiye, 84 votes)

Richard Jay Warwick (USA, 78 votes) Kookhyun Jung (Korea, 74 votes)

The 2025-2029 electoral cycle was the first held under the governance reforms approved at the 2024 World Taekwondo General Assembly in Chuncheon, Korea. They ensure a more streamlined and efficient World Taekwondo Council.

During the World Taekwondo General Assembly, Choue additionally presented batons as symbols of harmony and cooperation to the five Continental Union Presidents, as well as appreciation certificates to all outgoing World Taekwondo Council members.

World Taekwondo Council

“Reborn Together”

at first meeting of new mandate

World Taekwondo permitted Russian and Belarusian junior and senior athletes to compete under their respective national flags with immediate effect

The World Taekwondo Council held the first meeting of its mandate in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, united by the “Reborn Together” motto which will guide the organisation through the forthcoming year.

At the Extraordinary Council meeting, Mr. Tomas Sithole (Zimbabwe) and Mrs. Dagmawit Girmay Berhane (Ethiopia) to the World Taekwondo Council were among the key appointments made.

Mr. Sithole had served as World Taekwondo Vice President before, and is also the Vice-President of the Global Esports Federation, and a former IOC Member and IOC Director of International Cooperation and Development. He was appointed as World Taekwondo Vice-President for the term until 2027.

Mrs. Berhane is an IOC Member from Ethiopia, with experience as a passionate Taekwondo practitioner. She is a member of the IOC’s Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032, the IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission, the IOC Advisory Committee on Human Rights, the IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission, the ANOC Executive Council, the WADA Executive Committee and the ITA Foundation Board. The appointment of Prof. Shinja Lim, a two-time World Champion, as Kukkiwon’s representative on the World Taekwondo Council was approved.

Following the IOC’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian youth athletes to participate in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games under their national flags, the Council decided on January 31 to permit Russian and Belarusian junior and senior athletes to compete under their respective national flags. Existing restrictions remain unchanged, however, meaning international sports events may not be organized in Russia, and accreditation will not be issued to government officials from Russia and Belarus.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, an important milestone for World Taekwondo. Dr. Chungwon Choue, World Taekwondo President also shared that the Olympic Refuge Foundation will join the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in April.

The President also announced the chairs of World Taekwondo’s Standing Committees, with terms running through the 2027 World Taekwondo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, except for the Committees under the Technical Commission, whose terms will end at the conclusion of the Tashkent 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships. These Committee appointments will be made after Tashkent. Four new Committees were created – Culture and Heritage, Disciplinary Tribunal, Institutional Relations, and Membership.

• Coaches’ Committee - Robert Taaffe

• Culture and Heritage Committee - Justin Hou

• Development Committee - Maria Rosario Borello

• Disciplinary Tribunal - Lorenza Mel

• Education Committee - Songchul Kim

• Ethics Committee - Gabor Kristof Szucs

• Finance Committee - Pimol Srivikorn (Kazakhstan MNA President Kudret Shamiyev was appointed as Vice-Chair)

• Institutional Relations Committee - Jinbang Yang

• Juridical Committee - Stephen Hess

• Membership Committee - Hassane Sadok

• Para Taekwondo Classification CommitteeHadwah Moawad

• Poomsae Committee - Jungheon Kim

• Sustainability Committee - Nellys Rios

• Taekwondo for All Committee – Sister Linda Sim

World Taekwondo’s Standing Committees have been updated to reflect the key priorities of the organisation, and more than 210 applications were received as part of the open process for the 18 Committees.

An Ad-Hoc Nominations Committee, chaired by World Taekwondo Treasurer Pimol Srivikorn, reviewed the applications and submitted their recommendations for approval.

The appointments reflect World Taekwondo’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and ensuring balanced continental representation. The appointments also reflect World Taekwondo’s unwavering commitment to achieving gender parity, with 44 percent female representation, out of which 36 percent are serving as chairpersons.

The World Taekwondo Council held a moment of silence in tribute to Grandmaster Miroslav Brezan, who competed in the second World Taekwondo Championships in 1975, served in the Croatian Taekwondo Federation and European Taekwondo Union, and founded one of the largest clubs in Croatia.

Members heard an interim report on the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships, while each Continental Union shared plans to build the capacities of their Member National Associations.

The World Taekwondo Council additionally approved amendments to the World Taekwondo Statutes, the World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Ranking Bylaw, the World Para Taekwondo Paralympic Standing Procedures, Regulations on Administration of International Classifiers, the Global Integrity Unit Terms of Reference and the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions Code.

The next Ordinary Council Meeting will be held on April 10 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, followed by the World Taekwondo General Assembly on April 11, prior to the World Taekwondo Junior Championships from April 12 to 17.

World Taekwondo holds historic Council Workshop in Fujairah

World Taekwondo successfully held the first Council Workshop in its history on February 1-2 in Fujairah, marking a significant milestone for the Federation under its new mandate.

Following the inaugural meeting of World Taekwondo’s new Council on January 31, where Continental Unions presented their regional plans to strengthen and develop Member National Associations (MNAs), the workshop enabled detailed and productive discussions on World Taekwondo’s vision, governance, and operations, under the theme “Reborn Together”.

In his opening remarks, World Taekwondo President Dr. Chungwon Choue reflected on the Federation’s key achievements over the past 20 years, highlighting its transformation through reform, unity, and teamwork. He emphasized that World Taekwondo’s success has been built on harmony, shared sacrifices, and strong family ties among its members, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s most respected

international sports federations.

The first morning session featured an in-depth overview delivered by Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, who outlined World Taekwondo’s history and growth – from 17 MNAs in 1973 to 215 MNAs plus one Refugee Team in 2026, making it the third-largest International Federation globally. He also presented key developments in governance, including the restructuring of the World Taekwondo Council from 37 to 25 members and progress in gender equality with 32% female representation on the Council, reflecting World Taekwondo’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and good governance.

The session further covered World Taekwondo’s global operations, including development funding for Continental Unions and MNAs, equipment and participation support programs, scholarships, and its extensive Sport for Social Development initiatives. These include close partnerships with the UNHCR and the

Olympic Refugee Foundation, as well as humanitarian programs such as Taekwondo Cares alongside the work of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, environmental sustainability initiatives recognized by the IOC, and athlete health and well-being programs, including mental health support at major events.

Additional presentations were delivered by Deputy Secretary General of Planning and Finance and the President’s Office, Jerry Ling, who presented the 2026 budget, financial regulations, and governance frameworks aligned with the IOC’s Fit for the Future and ASOIF governance reviews, and by Head of the Global Integrity Unit, Corbin Min, who outlined the roles and responsibilities of Council Members.

In the afternoon on February 1, the workshop continued with strategic presentations from three Vice Presidents:

Fardouza Moussa Egueh outlined World Taekwondo’s long-term vision through five key pillars focused on strengthening gender equality in governance, developing women officials, supporting athletes’ career transitions, expanding youth participation - particularly among girls - and maximizing social impact through Taekwondo Cares initiatives.

Driss El-Hilali highlighted how sport development can be enhanced through inclusive and balanced competition structures, encouraging greater participation from emerging nations.

Jinbang Yang presented World Taekwondo’s digital transformation strategy, highlighting AI as a key driver of the sport’s future, with a particular focus on the

unification of AI-based Smart PSS to enhance fairness, accuracy, and spectator engagement.

These sessions focused on priority areas expected to have a profound impact on the future of World Taekwondo.

World Taekwondo Council Members then engaged in active discussions, contributing ideas and perspectives for the Federation’s next four-year cycle.

The workshop concluded with strong engagement from the World Taekwondo Council Members, who proposed a wide range of forward-looking ideas aimed at strengthening World Taekwondo’s leadership, advance gender equality, sustainability, and global impact. Building on this momentum, the Council also agreed to hold a dedicated brainstorming session during the upcoming Council meeting in April in Tashkent.

President Choue reflected on the success of the Council Workshop.

“It has been an eventful two days of meetings,” he said.

“I feel confident that this Council is ready to contribute and deliver good results.

“The Technical Commission is looking into enhancing our competitions. One of the instructions that I have given to them is to look into increasing the number of Olympic weight categories to six, and also to promote mixed team events.”

With the successful staging of this historic Council Workshop, World Taekwondo took a decisive step toward shaping its future, moving forward together, united in purpose, and truly “Reborn Together”.

Choue Attends LA28 IOC-IF Transition Seminar in Lausanne

Having celebrated an immensely successful Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue and Secretary General Jeongkang Seo were in attendance at the LA28 Transition Seminar organized by the International Olympic Committee, for International Federations, and held on Jan. 20-21, 2025.

The seminar focused mainly on building on the success and learnings from Paris 2024. The seminar was also an opportunity for World Taekwondo to discuss the operational planning for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.

During the seminar, a commemorative Paris 2024 Torch Handover Ceremony was held. IOC President Thomas Bach presented an Olympic Torch from the Paris Games to each International Federation in recognition of their contributions to the success of the Games and to the Olympic Movement.

Choue also had a private meeting with Bach during

his visit to Lausanne.

During that, he thanked the IOC president for his leadership and support for Taekwondo throughout his term at the helm of the Olympic Movement.

“President Bach has been a great friend of Taekwondo throughout his presidency, not only in terms of the development of the sport at the Olympic Games, but also in inspiring the hopes and dreams of refugee athletes through the IOC Refugee Olympic Team,” Choue said He acknowledged Bach’s influence on his own leadership.

“‘Change or be changed,’ as President Bach had said,” Choue continued. “This was what World Taekwondo has done numerous times over the past decade with our innovations and with becoming the leading IF in humanitarian activities.”

Bach thanked Choue for its efficient organization of the Taekwondo competitions in Paris.

WT President Meets

New IOC President

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue met with IOC President Kirsty Coventry at Olympic House to strengthen cooperation between both organisations under her leadership.

Meeting officially for the first time, the two presidents were joined by WT Secretary General Jeongkang Seo and new IOC Sport Director Pierre Ducrey.

President Choue explained WT’s commitment to gender equality and inclusion, highlighting the gender balance of referee representation at the Olympic Games, WT’s focus on health and well-being, and its activities empowering refugees and displaced persons through ongoing humanitarian activities.

The WT president also shared the popularity of Taekwondo in Africa, with two WT-promoted championships to take place in November and December this year.

He emphasised WT’s focus on enhancing the ca-

pacities of national associations in Africa, which has been consistently developed over the years through the continued efforts of WT.

“President Coventry was impressed by what World Taekwondo has done so far and by the exciting prospects for future cooperation,” said Choue.

He extended an invitation to the IOC president to attend one of the major WT-promoted World Championships in 2026.

During his visit to Lausanne, the WT president also met with IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach at the Olympic Museum.

Choue thanked him for his firm support for WT and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation in engaging with refugees and displaced persons through the sport.

Choue invited Bach to visit the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan in 2026.

World Taekwondo Symposium Focuses on Taekwondo and Artificial Intelligence

A World Taekwondo Symposium held on the sidelines of the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships explored how artificial intelligence can shape the future of Taekwondo.

The International Olympic Committee’s Head of AI Alejandro Merino-Madrid was among the high-profile speakers, providing an overview of AI in the Olympic Movement and how it is shaping the future of sport.

First held on the sidelines of the Beijing 2007 World Taekwondo Championships, the World Taekwondo Symposium serves as an educational platform for the global Taekwondo family to learn about and discuss topics impacting the sport.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue emphasised the significance of the symposium, and thanked World Taekwondo Education Committee Chair Hassane Sadok for moderating the event.

“Today in Wuxi, I believe that the theme of the symposium is very relevant to all of us – AI,” he said. “The future is now! AI is everywhere and China is one of the leading nations in the world.”

“I hope that the knowledge shared today will be another platform for World Taekwondo to emerge as a leader in how AI shapes the sport,” he continued. “The potential is immense and limitless.”

Sadok began the symposium with an introductory overview of AI, showing how it can be used to support athletes, coaches and referees in Taekwondo. He also touched on associated ethical questions and challenges.

Merino-Madrid delivered the first session on how the IOC is applying AI to benefit sport and the wider Olympic Movement, in line with five focus areas outlined in the Olympic AI Agenda.

These are: supporting athletes, clean competition and safe sport; ensuring equal access to the benefits of AI; optimising Olympic and Paralympic Games operations with a focus on sustainability; growing engagement with people; and driving efficiency across the management of IOC and sport.

“We are focusing on five focus areas. The first one is about athletes. When the fans come to Wuxi to watch the World Taekwondo Championships or to LA to watch the Olympic Games, they come to see athletes competing, so we have to keep this in mind. Athletes, and organising clean competitions and safe sport, is our first focus area,” Merino-Madrid explained.

“The second one is about making AI available everywhere. AI has the power to divide, but also the power to unite. It will have the power to divide if only the most privileged athletes or nations have access to it. However, if we are able to make it available to everyone, it will level the playing field.”

“The third focus area is how to organise in a more efficient and sustainable way our Olympic Games or your championships.”

“The fourth focus area is about growing engage-

ment with people, especially with younger generations who consume sport in a different way.”

“The fifth focus area is, after looking everywhere in the Olympic Movement, we have to look at ourselves and make our organisation more efficient.”

He offered practical examples of how the IOC is implementing AI, including the successful athlete cyber abuse protection initiative which flags comments as abusive, and reports them to social media platforms.

The initiative protected 353 athletes and officials from cyber abuse at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Other examples included improving refereeing and judging, the Senegal Talent ID programme which provided unique information to identify and nurture future Olympians, digital twinning of venues for faster planning, optimising Games operations to focus on sustainability, and colourisation of archive footage.

The symposium featured a range of expert guest speakers.

They included Saarland University Lecturer and Fraunhofer IZFP Research Manager Keivan Shariatmadar, who explored explainable AI for Olympic and Paralympic Taekwondo.

Fudan University Associate Professor at the College of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Hui Xu discussed system software technologies for data-driven sports training.

Beijing Sport University Vice-President Ping Hong outlined the application and exploration of AI in sports.

The final session of the World Taekwondo Symposium was a presentation on the future of World Taekwondo Education through the AX Platform.

AI Meets Taekwondo:

Shaping the Future of the Sport at the 2025 Jeonbuk Sports Taekwondo International Convergence Conference

MUJU, Korea (July 5, 2025)

The 2025 Jeonbuk Sports Taekwondo International Convergence Conference, hosted and organized by World Taekwondo in partnership with the Korea Society of Sports, AI and Big Data, took place at Taekwondowon in Muju, Korea under the theme: “AI and Sports Taekwondo.”

Supported by Jeonbuk Province, Muju County, and the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, it included sessions on “AI Integration and Value Innovation in Sports Taekwondo,” and “Real-World AI Applications in Taekwondo and Future Pathways.”

Global experts and academics spoke.

Chief Scientist at Stats Perform Patrick Lucey, co-author of the International Olympic Committee’s AI Agenda presented a pre-recorded keynote on the use of AI and data to generate advanced sports statistics and insights.

Inigo Cristobal, AI Lead at olympics.com, introduced “Best Practice Using AI for Tools.” He showcased real-world applications of AI in digital fan engagement and content curation on the Olympic platform, highlighting potential adaptations for Taekwondo.

WT Director of TV John Cullen presented on “Embracing AI in Taekwondo,” outlining how AI is revolutionizing sports broadcasting, enhancing storytelling, and personalizing content delivery to

Professor at UC Berkeley Russell Ahn delivered a presentation that emphasized the importance of embracing new technologies while also safeguarding the core values and human-centered philosophies that define

Choue Honors President of Kazakhstan with World Taekwondo Black Belt

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue paid a courtesy visit to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and presented him with an honorary 9th dan black belt in recognition of his steadfast support for the development of the sport in the country.

Choue was in Astana for the Kazakhstan Open and was received at the Akorda Presidential Palace.

Joining the meeting were President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin; Minister of Tourism and Sport Yerbol Kuantaevich Myrzabossynov; and

President of the Kazakhstan Taekwondo Federation Kudrat Shamiyev.

H.E. President Tokayev welcomed the visit as a significant event for Kazakhstan’s sporting community, underscoring that it demonstrates World Taekwondo’s readiness to provide comprehensive support for the sport’s continued growth in the country. He described Taekwondo not only as an Olympic discipline but also as a philosophy founded on harmony, discipline, and mutual respect — values that unite millions around the world.

The head of state also noted that hosting the G1-ranked Kazakhstan

Open 2025 in the capital would present valuable opportunities for Kazakh athletes to refine their skills, exchange experience, and strengthen the competitiveness of the national program.

He expressed confidence that, through joint efforts, Taekwondo’s popularity in Kazakhstan will continue to flourish, fostering deeper bonds between communities.

In return, Choue expressed his gratitude to H.E. President Tokayev for his hospitality and unwavering commitment to Taekwondo’s development.

He also praised the high level of organization of the forthcoming tournament and commended the outstanding achievements of Kazakh athletes on the international stage.

In recognition of his contributions, H.E. President Tokayev presented Choue with the Order of Friendship of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan was recently selected as the host for the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final and Gala Awards in 2026, a decision confirmed at the World Taekwondo Council meeting in May in Fujairah, UAE.

The Kazakhstan Open 2025 took place from Aug. 14–16 at the Martial Arts Palace in Astana, bringing together more than 750 athletes from 23 countries.

World Taekwondo, Integra Construction KZ LLP

Sign 3-Year Sponsorship Agreement

Wuxi, China (Oct. 26, 2025)

World Taekwondo has signed a significant three-year sponsorship agreement with Integra Construction KZ LLP, one of Kazakhstan’s leading construction and infrastructure development companies, marking a strong commitment to supporting the sport’s global development and social impact initiatives.

The agreement, finalized during the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships, secures a total sponsorship of USD 1,500,000 over three years, inclusive, through to 2027, and underscores Integra’s commitment to advancing the shared values of excellence, peace, and inclusivity that define World Taekwondo.

It also demonstrates Kazakhstan’s outstanding contribution to the global development of Taekwondo. Astana was awarded the 2027 World Taekwondo Championships during the World Taekwondo Council meeting in Wuxi. It will also host the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final and Gala Awards.

The signing ceremony was attended by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue and President of the Kazakhstan Taekwondo Federation and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Integra Construction KZ LLP Kudrat Shamiyev.

“This partnership marks an important milestone in advancing Taekwondo’s global growth and its role as a force for social good,” Choue said. “Integra Construction KZ LLP’s support will further strengthen our shared vision of promoting peace, solidarity, and inclusivity through Taekwondo.

“Together, we will continue to build a better world through our sport,” he added.

“World Taekwondo has achieved remarkable progress in strengthening the Olympic values, expanding the sport’s global reach, and enhancing its role as a bridge for peace, unity, and cultural exchange,” Shamiyev said. “In line with our commitment to contribute to this shared mission, we will continue to work closely and cooperate with World Taekwondo to advance these common goals.”

Through the partnership, Integra Construction KZ LLP will receive extensive brand exposure across all World Taekwondo-promoted championships during 2026–2027, including:

• Prominent logo placement on event venues, digital broadcasts, and official materials.

• Integration into World Taekwondo’s so-

cial media and campaign content, including collaborations with the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team.

• VIP access and activation opportunities at World Taekwondo-promoted and recognized events.

This new partnership marks an important step forward in World Taekwondo’s ongoing mission to build strategic alliances that reinforce the sport’s role as a global force for peace, education, and unity.

(Note: Benefits will exclude the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Series, World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge, and World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships Final.)

About Integra Construction KZ LLP

Integra Construction KZ LLP is a leading construction and engineering company in Kazakhstan with a diversified portfolio encompassing infrastructure development, industrial facilities, and housing projects. The company’s forward-looking management places strong emphasis on innovation, corporate responsibility, and community development.

Through this sponsorship, Integra reaffirms its commitment to supporting global sport, education, and peace through Taekwondo.

Choue Meets Brussels Mayor, Discusses the Future of Taekwondo in Belgium

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Mar. 14, 2025)

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue, currently visiting Belgium for the Belgium Open Taekwondo Championships, met with Brussels Mayor Philippe Close at Brussels City Hall on March 14. Also present were WT Council Member Driss El Hilali and representatives from the Belgian Taekwondo Federation.

Choue and Close discussed the development of Taekwondo in Belgium. Close expressed his interest in hosting a major World Taekwondo Championships in Belgium in 2030 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Belgium’s independence.

The Belgium Open Taekwondo Championships is an annual international competition that attracts elite athletes from around the world.

This year’s event took place from March 15-16 at the beautiful Soeverein Arena in Lommel, featuring competitions in both kyorugi and poomsae.

World Taekwondo, Kyung Hee University, to Jointly Develop Taekwondo Educational Programs, Empower Future Global Leaders

SEOUL, Korea (Apr. 15, 2025)

World Taekwondo and the Kyung Hee University Grad uate School of Pan-Pacific International Studies (KHU GSP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop Taekwondo-related educational programs and strengthen the capacity of students aspiring to work in in ternational sports organizations.

Pimol Srivikorn

Elected President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand

World Taekwondo congratulated Pimol Srivikorn on his election as president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand.

As a World Taekwondo treasurer and president of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, Srivikorn has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of sport. Under his strong leadership and support, Thai athlete Panipak Wongpattanakit achieved back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the W-49kg category at the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games — a historic achievement for Thailand.

Taekwondo Olympic Champion Cisse appointed to IOC Athletes’ Commission

He won Olympic gold for Cote d’Ivoire in the M-80kg category at Rio 2016 and bronze in the M+80kg at Paris 2024. He also competed at Tokyo 2020.

The 2023 World Taekwondo champion currently serves in the Ministry of Sport in Cote d’Ivoire and co-chairs the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Commission. He is also a WT Council member, bringing extensive experience as both an elite athlete and advocate for athletes’ voices within the Olympic Movement. He joins four other Olympians appointed to the commission: Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha (Iran, badminton); Husein Alireza (Saudi Arabia, rowing); Olufunke Oshonaike (Nigeria, table tennis); and Mariana Pajón (Colombia, cycling).

The IOC Athletes’ Commission is composed of 23 members, 12 of whom are directly elected by athletes during the Olympic Games, with 11 additional members appointed by the IOC president to ensure balanced representation across genders, regions and sports.

The signing ceremony took place at the WT Headquarters in Seoul and was attended by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue, Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, KHU GSP Dean Hahnkyu Park, Vice Dean Taehwan Yoo, and other key representatives from both organizations.

Under this strategic agreement, World Taekwondo and KHU GSP will collaborate in the following core areas:

1. Development of practical training programs and capacity-building opportunities for KHU GSP students pursuing careers in international sport;

2. Joint creation and global promotion of Taekwondo educational programs that reflect global agendas;

3. Planning of cooperative initiatives linking Taekwondo with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

4. Exploration of additional collaborative opportunities to expand global engagement through Taekwondo.

“This agreement with KHU GSP is fully aligned with World Taekwondo’s commitment to promoting education through Taekwondo and integrating the values of our sport with global agendas such as sustainable development,” said Choue. “It will also allow us to benefit from the contributions of students who are aspiring to work in international sport organizations while providing them with a new opportunity for hands-on experience.”

WT and KHU GSP are committed to working closely together to implement impactful joint initiatives that empower future global leaders and expand the reach of Taekwondo through education.

Sakis Pragalos

Re-Elected President of the European Taekwondo Union

Sakis Pragalos was unanimously re-elected as president of the European Taekwondo Union (ETU) during the body’s General Assembly held on Apr. 12, 2025, at the Le Meridien Grand Hotel in Nuremberg, Germany.

The Assembly also oversaw elections for the renewal of the ETU Council. In addition to Pragalos’ re-election, four vice presidents, 14 Council members, and one auditor were elected.

Issaka Ide

Re-Elected President of the African Taekwondo Union

Juan Manuel Lopez Delgado

Re-Elected President of the Pan American Taekwondo Union

Issaka Ide was re-elected as president of the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) for a second term, covering the period from 2025 to 2029. His re-election took place during the Elective General Assembly of the AFTU on Apr. 24, 2025, at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AFTU reappointed Balla Dieye as secretary general.

The Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) held its elections on June 19, 2025, in a hybrid format that included both an in-person event at the Peruvian Olympic Committee auditorium in Lima, Peru, and online participation.

Juan Manuel Lopez Delgado was re-elected unopposed for a second term as president of PATU. Lopez Delgado emphasized his unwavering commitment to sound governance and the continued growth of Taekwondo throughout the continent, stating, “While a new period begins, our vision remains the same.”

World Taekwondo Continental Union Election

Sangjin Kim

Elected President of the Asian Taekwondo Union

Maher Magableh

Elected President of the Oceania Taekwondo Union (Sept. 29, 2025)

Sangjin Kim has been elected president of the Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU) during the ATU General Assembly held in Kuching, Malaysia. His term will run from 2025 to 2029. The election also included the selection of new ATU Council Members.

The Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) held its presidential election on Sep. 29, 2025, with representatives from 15 member nations participating through the Lumi Global electronic voting system. Following the official count, Maher Magableh was elected as the new president of the OTU, defeating John Kotsifas by a vote of 11 to 3.

WT Continental Union Presidents’ Messages

AFRICAN TAEKWONDO UNION

Issaka Ide

The year 2025, for the African Taekwondo Union, was marked by significant progress, strengthened unity, and the growing visibility of Africa within the global Taekwondo community.

Our elections in Ethiopia were conducted peacefully, transparently, and respectfully at the United Nations Headquarters, with the participation of all AFTU members. This reflects the institutional maturity of our union. I extend my deep gratitude to the government of Ethiopia and congratulate the newly elected members.

During the World Taekwondo elections in Wuxi, Africa played a strategic role thanks to the new electoral system. We witnessed the growing influence of Africa during the voting process—a direct result of the commitment and mobilization of our national federations.

The year 2025 was also marked by a significant increase in competition across the continent. The Taekwondo Series project, implemented in all African regions, concluded with a splendid final in Abidjan, excellently hosted by the Ivorian Taekwondo Federation. I would like to give special recognition to countries such as Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, and Morocco, whose commitment, organization, and spirit of cooperation greatly contributed to the success of the series.

We also experienced the organization of two major championships in Africa. One was held in Equatorial Guinea and was attended by the World Taekwondo president.

Kenya meanwhile organized its first Under-21 World Championships in Nairobi, confirming that Africa is advancing alongside World Taekwondo toward a brighter future for our sport.

Our athletes delivered excellent performances at the cadet, junior, and senior world championships.

We also organized an online Virtual Taekwondo seminar, which brought together more than 600 participants in three languages. Moreover, our Para Taekwondo athletes took part for the first time in a training camp in Korea.

As we move toward the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic Games ever held on African soil, the World Taekwondo continues to play an essential role in preparing our young athletes.

We conclude the year 2025 with great satisfaction and deep gratitude.

ASIAN TAEKWONDO UNION

Sangjin Kim

As we welcome the New Year 2026, I extend my heartfelt wishes for health, happiness, and fresh inspiration to every member of our global Taekwondo community.

In July, at the General Assembly held in Kuching, Malaysia, I had the great honor of being elected president of the Asian Taekwondo Union. I am deeply grateful for the trust and support extended to me by our 44 Member National Associations and Council members. With humility and a strong sense of responsibility, I have taken my first steps toward serving the development of Taekwondo in Asia and supporting the broader World Taekwondo family. Asia is home to more than 4.7 billion people and represents the largest and most dynamic Taekwondo community in the world. As the new president, I will do my utmost to ensure that the Asian Taekwondo Union not only advances the sport across our continent but also stands as a pillar of cooperation and harmony within the global Taekwondo family. With the arrival of this New Year, I embrace 2026 as the beginning of a new journey we will take together. This year, guided by openness, trust, and shared purpose, we will pursue greater growth and work to ensure that Taekwondo continues to bring positivity and inspiration to people everywhere.

In the year ahead, we will strengthen communication among our MNAs and foster an inclusive, harmonious environment in which every member feels respected and able to participate. We will also reaffirm Taekwondo’s noble essence, etiquette, respect, and mental resilience, so that these values permeate education, training, and fair competition. In addition, we will expand international programs for youth and developing nations, supporting future generations to dream bigger, grow stronger, and contribute to peace and unity through Taekwondo.

Dear Taekwondo family,

The path before us is one we must build together as a united global community. With your passion, dedication, and unwavering cooperation, I believe Taekwondo will continue to flourish and stand ever more proudly as a cultural heritage for all humanity.

May 2026 bring you joy, achievement, and warm hope.

To the entire World Taekwondo family, Happy New Year.

EUROPEAN TAEKWONDO UNION

Sakis Pragalos

As we step into 2026, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all athletes, coaches, referees, officials, national federations, and friends of European Taekwondo. I hope this year brings you health, strength, and great success — both on and off the mats.

We look forward to a truly exciting year for our continent.

Our flagship event, the G4 European Taekwondo Championships 2026, will be a historic edition — with the Para European Championships proudly integrated into the event. This united celebration will showcase that Taekwondo is one family, with one passion and equal opportunities for all.

In 2026, the ETU calendar is stronger than ever, with more than 30 G1 events taking place across Europe. These events create valuable chances for athletes to gain experience, ranking points, and international recognition, strengthening the pathway to Los Angeles 2028.

We are also placing special attention on the development of cadets and juniors, ensuring that our European Ranking system continues to grow and provide the next generation with a clear and motivating road to the top.

In addition, we will continue to invest in our coaching community. New coach education programs and license seminars will be delivered to support coaches in their continuous professional development. Strong athletes need strong coaches behind them.

Today, Europe remains the strongest continent in World Taekwondo — a position we have earned through teamwork, dedication, and unity. But to keep this leading role, we must continue to work together, support each other, and push to raise our standards even higher. Thank you all for the trust, passion, and commitment you bring to our beautiful sport.

Maher Magableh

As we step into 2026, I am filled with a great sense of responsibility and optimism as I assume the role of president of the Oceania Taekwondo Union. The region is embracing a new chapter, defined by renewal, inclusion, and regional development. This is not a slogan, but a blueprint for action. My vision is for every nation in Oceania to have an equal voice. We are moving forward on the principle that merit lies in the quality of an idea, not the title of the person, nor the country’s influence.

To turn this vision into reality, 2026 will be a year of focused activity and collaboration:

- A busy continental calendar: We are excited to host events, creating a high-value circuit for our athletes. This includes the Oceania Championships (G4) cadets, juniors, seniors, and a mixed gender team in March, followed by the Oceania President’s Cup (G3), Australia Open (G2), New Zealand Open (G2), Oceania Club Championships, and the Tahiti Open.

- Investment in our people: We will complement our competitions with development opportunities. We plan to hold a high-performance training camp in Sydney for athletes, International Referee Refresher Courses, as well as online governance seminars for all MNAs.

- A structure of true inclusion: I will immediately establish new, active technical and sub-committees, with members appointed from every MNA.

My goal is to involve every nation in Oceania in all our activities.

Central to our strategy is the pathway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. With Australia the host nation, we have a historic opportunity. We will work intensively with our MNAs to enhance high-performance systems and strengthen relationships with respective National Olympic Committees.

My message to the athletes, coaches, and officials of Oceania is that your dedication is the heart of our sport. Let us channel our passion into a future where Oceania Taekwondo is thriving, inclusive, and truly global.

As the last days of the year draw to a close, we are ending a new cycle, not only in regard to the Olympic cycle but also in our administration. We are concluding one period and beginning a new one, with renewed energy and hopes for change, but with the same commitments to making this world a better place.

From our place as part of the global Taekwondo family, we strive to be a community that sets an example for society, contributing values and principles and bringing courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and the indomitable spirit that shines within all of us who are part of this great family.

We take these values to our homes, our jobs, our friendships, and every person who crosses our path.

During this holiday season, I hope you find a moment to give thanks for all that life has brought you this past year. May you find peace, harmony, happiness, and be surrounded by all your loved ones. May the new beginning of the year be filled with light, which will accompany you with all the challenges that the new year may bring.

During this holiday season, let’s take a moment to congratulate ourselves on all we have achieved, to thank all those who have accompanied us, and to remember that there are no limits to our dreams; we just have to believe.

Happy holidays!

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PART 3

Choue Meets Key Leaders ahead of Hope and Dreams Sports Festival

World Taekwondo President and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Chairman Chungwon Choue met with leaders of the organizations participating in the largest Hope and Dreams Sports Festival to date. The refugee-centered event ran in Jordan from April 30-May 3.

Meetings were held at the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) headquarters in Amman, with Choue meeting JOC President and IOC Executive Board member HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, International University Sports Federation (FISU) President Leonz Eder, World Baseball Softball Confederation President Riccardo Fraccari and Chief Operating Officer Marco Ienna, and UNHCR representative Claude Marshall, who is also a board member of the THF.

Choue was joined by World Taekwondo Council Members Driss El-Hilali, Jinbang Yang, Maher Magableh and Shaddad Alamri.

The 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival featured six sports - Badminton, Baseball5, Basketball 3x3, Handball and Taekwondo, with Weightlifting equipment donated to the refugee camps.

Choue pledged that next year’s edition will be even bigger to commemorate the THF’s 10th anniversary, while Eder offered FISU’s support, encouraging more International Federations to participate.

WT and the THF are committed to working with

partners from International Federations and other sports organisations to empower refugees and promote the Olympic Values.

HRH Prince Feisal praised the initiatives of the THF aimed at empowering young people living in refugee camps, and highlighted the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival’s role in promoting the transformative power of sport.

All participants agreed on the importance of sport for refugees, particularly young people, and emphasised the benefits of having more sports join the program.

“The Hope and Dreams Festival has become a cornerstone event for World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation,” Choue said. “We are proud to see it grow into a multi-sport platform that continues to inspire refugees and young people around the world.”

He praised Jordan as a wonderful host and thanked all partners for delivering another successful edition of the festival.

3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival Begins with Inspiring Visit to Refugee Camps in Jordan

The biggest Hope and Dreams Festival to date began with inspiring sport demonstrations at the Azraq and Za’atari Refugee Camps in Jordan.

From its origins as the Hope and Dreams Taekwondo Championships in 2022, the annual event has evolved into a multi-sport festival and empowered hundreds of refugee athletes.

Now in its third edition, this year’s festival features more sports and more refugee athletes than ever before.

World Taekwondo President and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Chairman Chungwon Choue was joined by World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari, International University Sports Federation (FISU) President Leonz Eder, Gonzalo Barrio of the Olympic Refuge Foundation, and Maria Stavropoulou, UNHCR Representative to Jordan, among the VIP guests.

THF Board Member Claude Marshall (UNHCR Refugee Sport Coordinator), WT Taekwondo for All Committee Member Richard Barnor, Justin Hou of the IOC Commission for Culture & Olympic Heritage and THF Operations Director and WT Council Member Maher Magableh were also in attendance on Day 1.

They were joined by World Taekwondo Council Members:

Driss El-Hilali, President of the Moroccan Royal Taekwondo Federation

Jinbang Yang, President of the Korea Taekwondo Association

HH Sheikha Jameela Al Qasimi (UAE)

Shaddad Alamri, President of the Saudi Taekwondo Federation

All were warmly welcomed to Azraq Camp.

Among other distinguished guests were Ambassador of Korea to Jordan Pilwoo Kim, President of the Azerbaijan Taekwondo Federation and Minister of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan Kamaladdin Heydarov, Badminton World Federation Jaffer Ebrahim and WBSC Chief Operating Officer Marco Ienna.

The group received a warm welcome at the start of the day at Azraq Camp, and witnessed spectacular demonstrations of Badminton, Baseball5, Basketball 3x3 and Taekwondo from young athletes. The children were then presented with confectionary items by Ma Hongfan, the founder and chairman of Amos Food. The guests then took photos and time spent in groups with the refugee athletes.

The guests then visited the Za’atari Camp for a demonstration of Taekwondo on the artificial grass donated by TaiShan Group.

The Za’atari activities also featured a Para Taekwondo poomsae demonstration from refugee athletes.

Choue reflected on the achievements of the THF since its foundation in September 2015.

“Whenever I come back to the refugee camps in Azraq and Za’atari, I feel like I have come home,” he said. “We started from a simple dream to where we are now,” he said.

“Next year, we will celebrate 10 years of this dream, which is now a reality, of giving hope and dreams through sports,” he continued. “We are not only bringing sports to the camps but also building life values through participation in sports.”

He advised, “Life is good when you are happy, but better if others have happiness because of you.”

“I was very happy to witness once again the beautiful atmosphere generated by this annual festival,” said WBSC President Fraccari. “The vibe has been incredible and I was also pleased

to see that the Baseball5 team has grown not only in terms of participation, but also in terms of skills. I look forward to seeing an even bigger impact in the coming years.”

“It is a great honour to be here on behalf of the International University Sports Federation,” said FISU President Eder. “It is an obligation for FISU to contribute in the future to this development, because the children are the future of all of us, and we have to do everything we can to make their lives easier.”

“ I am totally impressed by these wonderful young people around me,” said UNHCR Representative and THF Board Member Claude Marshall. “They are living in not what you would call the ideal conditions, and to be a refugee young person is not ideal, but they make the most of it. I hope for you a wonderful future.”

2025 Hope and Dreams Sports Festival Gets Underway with Special Opening Ceremony

Day 1 of the 2025 Hope and Dreams Sports Festival concluded with a special opening ceremony featuring an inspiring joint Taekwondo demonstration by children from the Azraq and Za’atari Refugee Camp, before an audience of VIPs.

This year’s festival is the third. It featured more attendees than ever before as it aimed to empower refugees through sport.

“To all our young athletes: Enjoy this moment and enjoy yourselves!” said Chungwon Choue, who leads both World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, which has pioneered the federation’s refugee outreach. “This is what sport is all about.”

“It is fantastic to see young athletes competing across five sports here at the third edition of this Hope and Dreams Sports Festival,” he continued.

He noted that the festival has grown a lot since it was first launched, “and we are grateful for our strong partnership with our friends at Badminton, Baseball5, Basketball 3x3, Handball, and Weightlifting.”

Next year’s festival will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation.

To celebrate that landmark in appropriate style, Choue expressed hope that 10 sports would be on offer in 2026.

“Harmony brings glory, so I hope the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival can inspire you to become future champions,” he said.

HRH Prince Rashid bin Hassan of Jordan extended a warm welcome to all participating athletes and distinguished guests, expressing his sincere wishes for a successful and inspiring festival.

Special Hope and Dreams plaques were also presented during the day to distinguished guests, in

recognition of their valuable support and continued commitment to empowering refugee youth through sport.

Earlier in the day, the refugee athletes engaged in competitions in Taekwondo and Badminton.

Around 300 athletes across four age categories – children, cadet, junior and senior – took part in the Taekwondo.

Meanwhile, around 80 young athletes took part in Badminton, a significant increase from last year when only 10 took part.

This growth reflects the dedicated coaching and development efforts that have taken place in the refugee camp over the past 12 months.

Badminton athletes have also received training in umpiring since October 2024. That step is designed to empower the refugees to run the competition by themselves.

As part of today’s program, they also

had the opportunity to compete against Jordan’s Under-15 National Badminton Team.

One of the young female badminton athletes shared her feelings.

“Badminton is my life,” she said. “I can’t imagine my life without Badminton now.”

That was a powerful testimony that captures just how much sport has come to mean to her — and to so many other children in the refugee camps — in just one year.

Hope and Dreams Sports Festival Reaches New Heights as 3rd Edition Ends

The 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan concluded with another spectacular day of competition, having enabled refugee athletes to showcase their talents and inspiring stories during the biggest edition to date.

There were nearly 1,250 participants throughout the festival, with more sports involved and more refugee athletes than ever before. 2025’s event fulfilled the aims of World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) to unite the global sporting community behind empowering refugees.

Today’s sport competition in Amman was dedicated to Baseball5, Basketball 3x3 and Handball – the latter making its debut at the festival. Weightlifting was the other sport involved in the festival for the first time through the donation of equipment. Taekwondo and Badminton featured in activities throughout the week.

VIPs from the participating organisations each hailed the success of the two-day event.

“ This has been the biggest and best edition of the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival so far, and we are deeply grateful for the support of our partners in delivering this event,” said WT and THF head Chungwon Choue.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said: “I was really excited to watch the Baseball5 games today! The joy of the team was certainly the highlight. I felt that the Azraq Refugee Team has become very close with the kids of the other teams from neighbouring villages, and this means a lot to me since one of the main goals of this project is to create integration and harmony between refugees and local communities. This is an incredible achievement!”

FISU President Leonz Eder stated: “I was very grateful to receive an invitation from WT President Dr. Choue to attend the 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival and visit the refugee camps. I am deeply impressed by the humanitarian idea that Dr. Choue brought into action and what I have seen. This is a concrete help to the kids living in the camps, as they get an opportunity for hope and dreams. This initiative is worthy of being supported by many organisations.”

BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund commented: “The Badminton World Federation is deeply committed to supporting humanitarian efforts, and our partnership with the THF at the 3rd Hope and

Dreams Festival 2025 is truly special.”

He continued: “Since our involvement in the 2nd festival, we’ve worked to grow the Badminton program to include 80 players who are not only improving their badminton skills but also gaining essential life skills. Witnessing young refugees embrace badminton, with sport transforming their lives and igniting hope, is incredibly rewarding and we will continue to support such initiatives.”

Gonzalo Barrio, project manager of the Refugee Olympic Team, praised the work of World Taekwondo and the THF in uniting sports organisations behind humanitarian initiatives.

“More than anything, it’s how World Taekwondo and the THF brought together other International Federations to work together,” he said. “It’s always been seen as a partnership that benefits everyone - the athletes, and the IFs,” he explained - courtesy of bringing sport to places where it did not exist before.

“Inclusion within the local society is one of the key goals of the Refugee Olympic Team as a whole,” he continued. “The more they compete, it breaks the stigma and helps create relationships which will be important for those athletes in the future.”

Following the success of the 3rd edition, World Taekwondo aims to integrate even more International Federations and refugee athletes into next year’s Hope and Dreams Sports Festival.

With next year’s event coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the founding of the THF, Choue has expressed hopes that 10 Olympic sports will be featured in 2026.

WT President Choue, IOC Member Rwemarika Reaffirm Taekwondo Support During Visit to Mahama Refugee Camp

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue, accompanied by IOC Member Felicite Rwemarika and WT Council Member Maher Magableh, visited the Mahama Refugee Camp in Rwanda to support and encourage the development of Taekwondo.

Choue reaffirmed WT’s commitment by pledging to provide Taekwondo equipment, including mats, uniforms and Virtual Taekwondo gear. He praised the young athletes’ demonstration and expressed confidence in their potential to compete in Virtual Taekwondo Championships.

Citing a Rwandan athlete’s silver medal at last year’s Muju Virtual Taekwondo Championships, Choue announced plans to invite one outstanding athlete from the camp to a future Virtual Taekwondo Championships.

Choue and Rwemarika delivered a message of hope, encouraging the youth to pursue their dreams through Taekwondo. He announced that the famed WT Demonstration Team will visit Rwanda next year, and will include a stop at Mahama Camp.

Choue also met Para Taekwondo star Parfait Hakizimana, a Burundian refugee who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and now lives and coaches at Mahama. Having fled Burundi’s civil unrest in 2015, Hakizimana has since trained over 1,000 refugee children in Taekwondo through a school he founded in the camp, with support from the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF).

Earlier, on May 5, Choue, Magableh and Rwemarika and Mbonigaba Boniface, a representative of the Rwanda Taekwondo Federation, had met in Kigali. Choue introduced the 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, recently held in Amman, Jordan, and presented a video recap. Inspired by the initiative, Rwemarika expressed interest in joining next year’s edition.

The Rwanda Taekwondo Federation reported that five refugee camps currently operate in the country, with Mahama and Kiziba each hosting around 300 Taekwondoin. Choue proposed an inter-camp Taekwondo tournament modeled after the Jordan experience.

Highlighting Rwanda’s recent achievements - including a silver medal at the Diamond Game and Virtual Taekwondo Championships in Korea - Choue expressed optimism about the country’s future in Virtual Taekwondo competitions.

Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation’s Pioneering Efforts

Recognized at Olympic Refuge Foundation Board Meeting

The Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) Board convened at the Olympic House in Lausanne for its annual meeting. Hosted by IOC President and ORF Chairman Thomas Bach, the meeting marked a pivotal moment for the foundation as it evaluated past achievements and shaped its strategic vision for 2025–2030. Bach opened the session by welcoming board members, including IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry, UN High Commissioner for Refugees and ORF Vice Chairman Filippo Grandi, Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, and Chungwon Choue, president of World Taekwondo (WT) and chairman of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF).

Bach emphasized the importance of the ORF’s mission in an era of increasing displacement, while the IOC president-elect expressed her gratitude for his leadership and reiterated her commitment to sustaining the IOC’s engagement with refugees in her future role.

A special segment of the meeting was dedicated to the THF. Choue was recognized for his long-standing commitment to supporting refugees and displaced persons through Taekwondo and engaging with the broader Olympic sports family.

Citing the success of the 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan, the board watched a highlights video and expressed their collective appreciation of the THF’s initiatives.

Choue expressed his vision to expand next year’s festival to at least 10 sports, to coincide with the THF’s 10th founding anniversary. He emphasized the power of multi-sport engagement in transforming the lives of displaced youth. He also reported on his recent visit to Rwanda, sharing

his impressions of the Mahama Refugee Camp, where the THF has supported Taekwondo activities since 2018.

Bach thanked Choue for his pioneering initiatives and commended his continued leadership in leveraging sport to bring hope and empowerment to displaced youth.

The UN High Commissioner addressed the board, underscoring both the growing pressure on refugee support systems due to ongoing crises in Ukraine, Sudan, and the Middle East, and the funding cuts faced by the UN Refugee Agency.

Despite these challenges, he noted emerging signs of hope in regions like Syria and thanked ach for ORF’s approaches in addressing displacement through sport.

Spotlight on ORF Programs

The Board reviewed key ORF initiatives that are currently impacting displaced youth:

• Game Connect (Uganda): Aimed at improving mental health and psychosocial well-being through sport, this program has impacted over 10,000 young people aged 15–24. Implemented by a consortium including AVSI Foundation, Right to Play, Youth Sport Uganda, and others. Game Connect was recently visited by Bach, who praised its measurable impact.

• Play 2 Protect (Kenya): Operating in the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement, this initiative promotes social cohesion and provides safe spaces for refugee youth through sports.

• SPiRiT (Bangladesh): Targeting climate-vulnerable communities in Kurigram and Dhaka, the program uses sport to foster resilience among youth displaced by environmental challenges.

Since its founding in 2017, the ORF has empowered over 950,000 refugees globally through sport, as highlighted in a compelling video shared with the board.

The ORF 2025–2030 strategic plan reaffirms its role as a critical vehicle for delivering hope and opportunity to the world’s most vulnerable populations through sport. The upcoming strategy will be based on the ORF pillars, shaping the future of its action, adapting and implementing through partnerships in regions most affected by conflict, displacement, and climate change.

The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose.

On World Refugee Day, WT President Reflects on Humanitarian Commitments

SEOUL,

To mark World Refugee Day on June 20, World Taekwondo President and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Chairman Chungwon Choue, reflected on a decade-long journey to create an inclusive, healthy and responsible society through Taekwondo. That journey was recently exemplified through the 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan.

Beginning of the Journey

Choue: “On the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21 2015, I announced at the headquarters of the United Nations that World Taekwondo would be creating the THF to use Taekwondo as an enabler for empowering refugees and displaced persons worldwide.”

The following year in 2016, World Taekwondo launched two defining programs – the THF, and Taekwondo Cares for underprivileged communities. Both programs serve different stakeholders but the vision was aligned: to use Taekwondo as a sport for all.

Flagship Project

The Humanitarian Sports Centre, initially opened as the Taekwondo Humanitarian Centre in the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan, is the THF’s flagship project. In 2017, 14-year-old Syrian refugee Wael Fawaz Al-Farraj was the first in the camp to earn a Taekwondo black belt. He would go on to become a Refugee Athlete Scholarship holder for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, funded by Olympic Solidarity.

Following in his footsteps was Yahya Al Ghotany, who became the first refugee from the Azraq Camp to par-

ticipate in Taekwondo at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Yahya achieved another milestone when he was appointed as the male flagbearer for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Opening Ceremony of the Games.

Historic Medal at Paralympic Games

The inclusive nature of Taekwondo and World Taekwondo’s partnership with the Olympic Refuge Foundation and Terrains d’Avenir in Paris produced another momentous milestone in Paris – the first medal for the Refugee Paralympic Team through Zakia Khudadadi, an Afghan refugee who escaped from the Taliban to participate at Tokyo 2020 and then earned a historic bronze medal at Paris 2024.

Choue: “Zakia’s story is truly inspirational as WT and the THF had worked in the background with the International Paralympic Committee and governments to help her escape from Afghanistan after the Taliban took over, in time for her to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. In fact, we helped scores of Taekwondo athletes successfully seek asylum during that difficult period.”

Sports Offer Hope and Dreams

Choue: “The THF has grown even bigger than I could have hoped. Since my call for action to the Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations at the SportAccord Convention in 2018, we now have more than 10 sports partnering with the THF.”

From the first initiation with Wrestling in 2019 to the creation of the Hope and Dreams Refugee Taekwondo

Championships in 2022, the Humanitarian Sports Centre in Azraq has been home to the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival. To date, Badminton, Baseball5, Basketball 3x3, and Handball have all been involved alongside Taekwondo. There are commitments from the Weightlifting and Rowing federations to donate equipment to the refugee camps.

Choue: “At the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival this May, I had young refugees coming to me to tell me that they cannot live without sports. This is the power of sport and the sense of hope and purpose it brings to people’s, particularly young people’s lives.”

New Beginnings

In 2026, the THF will commemorate 10 years since its founding with a new vision: rebranding the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival from a Taekwondo initiative to a joint sports enterprise under a united brand.

Choue: “I think it is time to look at rebranding the THF Hope and Dreams Sports Festival to the SHF Hope and Dreams Sports Festival. ‘SHF’ stands for Sports Humanitarian Foundation and I hope to see the other International Federations take a more leading role in promoting

their respective sports to the refugees and displaced persons under a unified brand. Harmony brings glory.”

The THF founder also had special messages for IOC President Thomas Bach and IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry.

Choue: “I learned a lot from IOC President Thomas Bach. ‘Change or be changed’ may be his words but they have also become a maxim for me over the past decade. President Bach was a true champion of promoting Olympism through sport. In IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry, we have another Olympic and World champion who has Olympism at heart. I hope that Taekwondo and our humanitarian initiatives can continue to thrive in the years to come.”

WT President Encourages Refugee Junior Athletes in

Malta

World Taekwondo (WT) President and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Chairman Chungwon Choue visited Malta and met with refugee junior athletes to offer his encouragement and support.

Ukrainian refugee youth aged 12 to 16 are training at the Iron Taekwondo Club in Santa Venera under the guidance of Coach Gianluca Barbara, with the support of the THF and the Malta Taekwondo Association.

During his visit, Choue encouraged the young athletes, urging them to develop their full potential through Taekwondo and continue pursuing their dreams. He

emphasized that Taekwondo is more than just a sport - it is a powerful tool for empowerment, resilience, and hope, especially for those facing adversity. In 2023, Choue and WT Council Member and Malta Taekwondo Association President Anna Vassallo signed an agreement to work together in support of refugee athletes. Their collaboration aims to promote Taekwondo as a vehicle for peace, social development, and the integration of vulnerable populations, particularly refugees, by providing training and competition opportunities for those living in Malta.

In the heart of adversity, where dreams often seem out of reach, one young girl defied all odds. Ilham Al-Sheikh, an 11-year-old Syrian refugee, rose from the confines of Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan to stand victorious on an international stage. Her gold medal at the 2025 Fujairah Open was not just a win; it was a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the unyielding power of hope.

A Journey Fraught with Challenges

The road to Fujairah was anything but smooth. The Jordan Refugee Team, composed of four young athletes from THF academies in the Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps, faced a series of daunting obstacles from the very beginning. With the support of Maher Magableh a WT Council member, and THF Trustee and Hazem Al-Naimat, they managed to overcome every challenge and finally arrived at the competition venue. However, by the time they got there, little training time remained.

Turning Obstacles into Strength

With relentless determination, Ilham fought through the rounds. In the semi-finals, she won two consecutive rounds against a formidable opponent from Fujairah Club, UAE. In the finals, she secured her place in history with another victory, defeating a competitor from Sharjah Club, UAE, and claiming the gold medal.

Fujairah Open: A Prestigious Stage

The Fujairah Open is one of the most anticipated international Taekwondo events, drawing elite competitors from across the globe. The 2025 edition was a melting pot of talent, featuring world-class competitors alongside rising stars, all vying for the top spot. For Ilham, it was more than just a tournament - it was the opportunity to prove that resilience and determination can break barriers.

Ahmad Okidat, technical director of the Jordan Refugee Team, highlighted the significance of the event for Ilham and her fellow refugee athletes. He noted that their participation was not merely about competition but about

Refugee to Champion: A Journey of Sport and Hope

Ilham Al-Sheikh’s Triumph at the 2025 Fujairah Open

representing their journey and the struggle of thousands of young refugees who aspire to achieve greatness despite their circumstances.

More Than a Medal

As Ilham stood on the podium, the gold medal shimmering in her hands, it symbolized far more than a championship victory. It was proof that no obstacle is too great for those who refuse to give up. It was a message to every child facing hardship, every refugee daring to dream, and everyone who believes in the power of perseverance.

Her triumph was also a testament to the dedication of her coach, Ahmad Okidat, and the support of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF). Under structured training programs, Ilham and her teammates transformed from aspiring athletes into fierce competitors ready to take on the world.

World Taekwondo President and THF Chairman Chungwon Choue, commented on Ilham’s achievement, stating: “Ilham’s victory is a remarkable example of the power of perseverance and the unbreakable spirit of young athletes. Despite facing numerous challenges, she never gave up on her dream, and today, she stands as a champion. I sincerely hope that she continues to pursue her dreams with the same passion and determination, inspiring many others along the way.”

Dreaming Beyond

Fujairah

With a gold medal around her neck, Ilham’s dreams have only grown. Now, she sets her sights on global championships, with the ultimate goal of reaching the Olympics and raising the Syrian flag high.

“I want to prove that refugees are capable of achieving their dreams despite everything,” she said. “This is just the beginning.”

Her story is more than a victory. It is a beacon of hope, a reminder that ambition knows no limits, and that with perseverance, even the most impossible journeys can lead to triumph.

THF-Supported Athletes Star at Multi-Sport Event in Jordan

ROME, Italy

Refugee athletes supported by the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) participated in a multi-sport event held in the Mafreq Governorate of Jordan.

The Sports Day was held at the Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein Complex under the supervision of the Jordan Olympic Committee, and followed on from the success of the biggest-ever Hope and Dreams Sports Festival earlier this month.

It is part of the National Program for the Development of Community Sports, which aims to promote awareness of the importance of sport in everyday life and to encourage a culture of physical activity across the kingdom’s governorates.

A mixed-gender team of 20 young athletes from the Za’atari Camp in Jordan performed a poomsae demonstration and wood-breaking showcase during the day’s vibrant activities.

It was well received by the other participants.

The Taekwondo athletes also fully engaged with the local community in the Mafreq Governorate throughout the day, and experienced the positive emotional, social and physical benefits of sport.

“I would like to thank the THF for giving us the opportunity to participate in such activities. Friday was one of the best days of my life!” said Roua Al Mubarak, one of the participants. “My friends and I took part in Sports Day and performed a Taekwondo demonstration that was very well received. The atmosphere was incredible.”

Iranian refugee and Taekwondo athlete Hadi Tiranvalipour, who was welcomed by the Italian Taekwondo Federation (FITA) in 2023, is set to graduate with a degree in Sports Science - a remarkable milestone symbolizing resilience and integration through sport.

Upon arriving in Italy, Hadi quickly received support from FITA to obtain refugee status, thanks to the efforts of FITA President Angelo Cito and Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi. Since then, he has been training alongside the Italian National Team at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Center, joining other refugee athletes from Ukraine and Afghanistan, and embracing FITA’s vision of sport as a vehicle for inclusion.

Hadi represented the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024, carrying with him a powerful story of courage and new beginnings.

“His journey shows that sport can change lives,” said Cito. “We believed in him from the start, and his success reflects the true spirit of the Olympic values.”

In a touching gesture of solidarity, members of the Italian National Taekwondo Team, including Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Vito Dell’Aquila, attended Hadi’s thesis defense, celebrating not only his academic achievement but also his personal journey.

Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Board Gathers in Lausanne to Reinforce Commitment to Refugees through Sport

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (June 3, 2025)

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) convened a Board of Trustees meeting on June 3 at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland. The meeting served as a reaffirmation of the THF’s deep commitment to supporting refugees and displaced youth through the values and practice of Taekwondo.

In his opening remarks, THF Chairman Chungwon Choue, reflected on a number of key milestones and ongoing partnerships, including his recent meetings with IOC President Thomas Bach and President-elect Kirsty Coventry. Choue highlighted the continued alignment between the IOC, Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF), and the THF. He reiterated to the board the foundation’s vision of continuing strong collaboration with the Olympic Movement, in particular with International Federations for the THF’s 10th founding anniversary in 2026.

The THF chairman also expressed his belief that winning a medal at the highest level will truly inspire refugee youths and give them hope and dreams, just as Zakia Khudadadi did at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The THF will offer possibilities to young, talented refugee athletes from the THF academies in refugee camps and other institutions, to raise their skills through the implementation of the THF Solidarity Program, giving able-bodied and refugee athletes with disabilities the opportunity to gain experience through training camps and international Taekwondo championships. Last month, seven refugee athletes participated in the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah, UAE, including five Syrian refugee athletes from THF academies in the Azraq and Za’atari camps. A Ukrainian athlete was also among the participants.

Choue also celebrated THF’s growing visibility, citing the success of the 3rd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan – the most inclusive edition yet, featuring not just Taekwondo, but also Badminton, Baseball5, Basketball 3x3 and Handball. Weightlifting equipment was also promised to be donated.

Looking ahead, the board discussed the THF’s 10th Anniversary in 2026, and the expansion of the festival

to feature at least 10 sports. Events will celebrate a decade of dedication to refugee communities and the global Taekwondo family’s efforts in using sport to build resilience and unity.

“We can do more, but to do it well and sustainably, we must secure broader support and plan our action. This is the moment to strengthen our foundation for the future,” said Choue as the THF board welcomed a proposal to improve fundraising. The board also voted in two new board members. All were also updated on the ongoing THF Strategy review.

A documentary project was proposed to capture the impact of THF’s work in Azraq Refugee Camp, where more than 500 youth have participated in Taekwondo programs since 2016. “With nearly a decade of progress behind us, it’s time to tell our story — not just in numbers, but through the voices and journeys of those whose lives have been touched by Taekwondo,” Choue said.

The meeting concluded

with a shared vision of further empowering young refugees through sport, expanding THF’s outreach, and ensuring sustainable support for all programs.

The global Taekwondo family remains at the heart of this mission. The THF chairman extended his deep gratitude for the continued support, dedication, and unity shown by all involved.

THF Board Sets Future Priorities, Funding Pathways, to Deliver Hope and Dreams to Refugee Youth, Globally

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Board of Trustees held its final meeting of the year at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne and online. Trustees voted on key priorities for the foundation’s future development. The discussions focused on expanding Hope and Dreams activities to the African continent, strengthening partnerships with the Olympic Movement, and introducing new funding approaches to ensure long-term sustainability and impact for refugee youth.

The board approved the expansion of Hope and Dreams Taekwondo events to Rwanda and Eswatini, following the successful model of this year’s festival in Jordan. The 4th edition of the event will take place next year. Looking ahead, the THF will celebrate its 10th founding anniversary in 2026, since its creation in Lausanne, in April 2016.

THF Chairman and World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue shared updates from recent meetings with IOC President Kirsty Coventry and IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach, both of whom praised the THF’s contributions to the Olympic Movement. The board expressed its commitment to strengthen relations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF).

The ORF has already committed over USD 500,000 to support 15 senior and junior Taekwondo refugee athletes on their path to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and LA28 Olympic Games, with additional athletes under consideration.

The board also reviewed progress on its strategic review, presented by Sustainability Consultant Daniel Cade. THF members have been invited to vote on THF priorities, reflecting the needs for storytelling and extended reach in terms of communication, diversity on funding sources, education and pathways for THF beneficiaries as well as development of a toolkit to enhance mental health and well-being.

UNHCR Sport Representative and Board Member Claude Marshall, whose term was renewed, introduced an innovative fundraising model. He also raised the idea of having refugee youth living in camps being elevated to “Ambassadors of Sports” and members of the Olympic Committees in their countries of residence.

Choue expressed his gratitude to every member of the board for their unwavering commitment to im-

proving the livelihoods of refugee and displaced persons through sport. “It is very inspiring to meet with individuals and organisations that are continually engaging with other sports to bring health, well-being and fun to their daily lives.”

THF Operations Director and THF Board Member Maher Magableh reported on recent achievements, including the first-ever THF black belt promotions for 49 refugee THF participants in Azraq and Za’atari camps (Jordan), which all successfully met their objectives. As part of a long-term strategy to build skills and gain experience and with the hope of seeing more refugee Taekwondo Para athletes reaching the podium at major events within the next four years, two refugee Para athletes from Za’atari Camp participated in two training camps in Korea. They also accessed their first international competitions: The Chuncheon World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge, in Korea, and the 10th Asian Para Taekwondo Championships in Kuching, Malaysia.

The board also approved the 2026 operational budget. It increases allocations for grassroots projects in Jordan (Azraq and Za’atari Refugee Camps), Rwanda (Mahama and Kiziba Refugee Camps), and Eswatini (Malindza Refugee Camp), reflecting the growing scope of the THF’s mission in empowering youth via Taekwondo. The mission goes beyond sport.

It is about bringing joy, well-being, and a sense of belonging to displaced youth. With strengthened partnerships, innovative funding, and the dedication of the global Taekwondo community, the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation is now preparing to deliver ever-brighter futures.

THF, WT Cares Programme

Appreciate Donor Support Throughout 2025

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) and the World Taekwondo Cares Program continue to empower refugees and displaced persons through sport around the world, and throughout 2025 the global Taekwondo community has once again demonstrated its commitment to this vital work.

More than USD 340,000 has been received in 2025 to support the THF and the World Taekwondo Cares Program, thanks to the generosity of individuals and organisations who share a belief in the power of sport as a tool for hope and dreams.

World Taekwondo President and THF Chair Chungwon Choue, along with World Taekwondo senior executives, donated USD 267,813 to the THF.

These funds supported multiple THF projects in Jordan’s Azraq and Za’atari Refugee Camps, the Mahama and Kiziba Refugee Camps in Rwanda, and the Malindza Refugee camp in Eswatini, as well as the THF Solidarity Programme for refugee athletes.

Additionally, part of the USD 5,000 from the International Paralympic Committee’s International Federation allocation was used to support two refugee Para athletes from the THF’s project at Za’atari camp when they competed at the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai in December 2025.

Wuxi Waychamp Sports contributed USD 50,000 to the THF; to funding initiatives in France which support asylum seekers in the Île-de-France region; to Malta where five young Ukrainian refugee athletes and one senior refugee athlete from India are training with the Iron Taekwondo League in Santa Verena; and in an urban project in Tijuana, Mexico, which supports refugees in the Casa del Migrante Shelter.

Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Vice-President and THF Board of Trustees member HH Prince Fahad

Bin Jalawi donated USD 10,000 to support THF activities.

IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission member, THF Board of Trustees member and Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Justin Hou and his wife Jingyu Wu, a two-time Olympic Taekwondo champion, donated USD 5,000 to support the THF program in Azraq Refugee Camp.

The Korea Taekwondo Association donated USD 10,000 in support of the World Taekwondo Cares Programme.

The World Taekwondo Cares Programme provides Taekwondo equipment, educational materials and qualified coaches to bring Taekwondo to the people who need it most, particularly in developing countries and disadvantaged communities. This aims to ensure that everyone can experience the physical, mental and social benefits of the sport.

Both the THF - Motto: “Empowering the Powerless” - and Taekwondo Cares use Taekwondo as a tool to help improve the quality of life of target communities.

Taekwondo is an economical and easy-to-deploy sport, as its basic format requires no special gear. However, as a multi-faceted activity, it offers real impact.

Trainees can develop their physiques, learn self-defense skills, acquire Olympic values and build the inner confidence any human needs to pursue his or her dreams.

The THF will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2026 and plans to mark this milestone by rebranding the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival to a joint sports enterprise under a united brand with other Olympics sports.

This expansion continues the trajectory that began with the first edition of the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan in 2022.

With the support of its dedicated donors and the broader Taekwondo community, the THF looks forward to an even more impactful year marking its 10th anniversary.

Empowering Future Olympians

World Taekwondo’s

2025 Olympic Solidarity Camp in Senegal

World Taekwondo officially kicked off the second Olympic Solidarity Taekwondo Camp in Senegal. The April 15–23 program, funded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), aims to develop young African talent through training, with long-term objectives including potential participation in events including the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and LA 2028.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural camp, the 2025 edition brought together around 36 young athletes and nine national team coaches from Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Sudan. Participants received intensive training from the World Taekwondo instructors with a strong emphasis on the values of respect, discipline, and international friendship.

A comprehensive coach education session took place on the first day. The session covered a range of important topics including mental control, imagery training, crisis-response strategies, and effective athlete training methodologies. This initiative aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the participating coaches for the benefit of their athletes, contributing to the overall development of Taekwondo in the region.

This year’s program also included a Virtual Taekwondo Competition Day, offering participants a chance to experience the sport in an innovative format. Virtual Taekwondo is being considered for future inclusion in the Olympic Esports Games.

The camp was also supported by KPNP, which generously provided official training shirts for all participants,

contributing to a strong sense of team identity and spirit.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue shared a message of support: “We are proud to continue this initiative that not only nurtures athletic talent but also promotes the Olympic spirit and cultural understanding. Last year’s camp was a great success, and we are excited to expand our impact this year. I send my warmest regards to all the participants and organizers who are making this meaningful project a reality.”

The Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSS) Secretary General Omar Diagne delivered a welcome speech during the opening ceremony, thanking World Taekwondo and Olympic Solidarity for this event. He emphasized its role in developing young African athletes and reaffirmed CNOSS’s support, ex-

pressing hope to see many of them succeed at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The opening ceremony, held at the Senegal National Arena, was attended by distinguished guests, including Diagne and delegates from the Senegalese Taekwondo Federation. They praised World Taekwondo’s ongoing commitment to youth development and international cooperation.

The Olympic Solidarity Taekwondo Camp is organized in partnership with the African Taekwondo Union and the Senegalese Taekwondo Federation and supported by the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity program, which assists athletes and coaches - particularly in developing nations - through sport-based development.

Virtual Taekwondo Competition Day Marks New Era for African Youth Athletes

DAKAR, Senegal (Apr. 20, 2025)

A pilot Virtual Taekwondo Competition Day was held during the 2025 Senegal Olympic Solidarity Camp, offering young African Taekwondoin a unique opportunity to experience Virtual Taekwondo for the very first time.

Jointly organized by World Taekwondo and the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU), the event served as a preparatory showcase ahead of the Olympic Esports Games 2027, allowing participants to gain valuable hands-on experience with the virtual competition format.

For all athletes and coaches in attendance, this was their inaugural introduction to Virtual Taekwondo. Rather than a formal tournament, the event was designed as an educational and experiential platform to familiarize participants with the technology and rules of

the virtual system.

One of the standout features of the virtual format is its inclusive structure, enabling matches regardless of gender, weight class, or age group. This flexibility opens the door for a diverse range of athletes to participate, fostering engagement, interaction, and shared learning among youth from various backgrounds.

As part of the initiative, operators and local staff also received basic training on managing virtual competitions, laying the groundwork for future events across the continent.

Though only a trial run, the event sparked curiosity and enthusiasm. As momentum builds toward the Olympic Esports Games 2027, this first step represents a promising beginning for expanding digital Taekwondo in Africa.

Promising Refugee Taekwondoin Complete

‘We

are the One’ Training in Taekwondowon

Muju, Korea (Aug. 25, 2025)

Five refugee athletes and two refugee coaches successfully completed a training camp organized by World Taekwondo and delivered by the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation (TPF) at Muju Taekwondowon.

The “We Are The One Training Camp” was designed for outstanding athletes from refugee camp training centers managed by World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), as well as Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) scholarship holders.

Held over two weeks from Aug. 11–25, the camp provided refugee athletes with high-level training to support their athletic development while underlining World Taekwondo’s commitment to the long-term sustainability of the sport and the promotion of the Olympic spirit. It also rein-

forced Taekwondowon’s role as a premier global training centre that fosters international exchange and sustainable initiatives.

Among the participants was ORF Scholarship holder Hadi Tiranvalipour, who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as part of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. He was joined by Mohammad Yasser Alallw, Abed Almajed, and Mahmoud Aljasem Almohammad Alhussein from the Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps in Jordan, and Guy Gerlin Rukundo from the Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda.

Two refugee coaches – Philbert Hagengimana (Rwanda) and Yazan Mosleh Mohammad Makableh (Jordan) – also participated, providing guidance and expertise to support the athletes’ training journey.

2025 Olympic Solidarity Camp: World Taekwondo Opens Second Olympic Solidarity Camp of 2025 in Amman

AMMAN, Jordan (July 13, 2025)

World Taekwondo, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), officially launched the second Olympic Solidarity Taekwondo Camp of 2025 with an opening ceremony in Amman, Jordan. The camp ran from July 13-21 and focused on supporting the development of Palestinian athletes.

To ensure accessibility and smooth organization, the camp was held in Jordan, with 22 athletes and two Palestinian coaches participating. They are joined by athletes and coaches from Jordan and Iraq, creating a diverse training environment.

Thirteen refugee athletes and one coach from the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) centers in the Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps, also took part. In total, 68 individuals took part.

A message from WT President Chungwon Choue was delivered during the opening ceremony on July 13, reaffirming WT’s commitment to inclusion, resilience, and global development through sport.

Palestine Taekwondo Federation President Bashar Saleh thanked World Taekwondo, Olympic Solidarity, and the Jordan Taekwondo Federation for their support, noting the camp’s impact on athletic growth and regional cooperation.

To support technical excellence, Professor Jeongwoo Jeon and Coach Dongwan Lee joined

the camp as expert coaches, delivering specialized technical training sessions to the participants.

Many participating athletes will compete in the upcoming Asian Cadet and Junior Taekwondo Championships in Malaysia.

This camp followed the first 2025 edition held in Senegal and precedes the third, set for August in Lima, Peru.

Azraq and WT Olympic Solidarity: Smiles and Spirit, Sport and Peace

The WT Olympic Solidarity (OS) Team, currently participating in the IOC-funded Palestine Olympic Solidarity Training Camp in Amman, Jordan took time out on July 18 to visit the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Taekwondo center in Azraq Refugee Camp, Jordan.

The visit reflects the vision of World Taekwondo President and THF Chairman, Chungwon Choue, who has championed the use of Taekwondo to support vulnerable communities by providing refugee youth with life skills and values such as confidence, respect, and hope through Taekwondo.

Rather than focusing solely on their own development, the WT OS team devoted part of their day to something deeply meaningful - sharing the spirit of Taekwondo with refugee children who train in the THF’s Taekwondo educational programs within the camp.

These young refugees, many of whom have faced displacement and hardship, were met with warmth, encouragement, and a powerful message: They are not forgotten. Through engaging Taekwondo sessions, WT Olympic Solidarity Team Coaches Professor Jeongwoo Jeon and Coach Dongwan Lee shared not just physical movements, but also core values such as respect, resilience, and self-belief.

“We didn’t come here to teach kicks - we came to share hope,” Jeon said. “We wanted to show them they are seen and supported.”

The connection went beyond technique. Smiles, encouragement, and moments of shared joy created an atmosphere of belonging and empowerment. For many chil-

dren, it was an unforgettable experience that lifted spirits and sparked dreams.

The team also offered snacks and juice, sharing them with care and warmth. This thoughtful gesture not only added to the light-hearted and nurturing atmosphere of the visit, but also provided a small yet meaningful support to the refugee children.

This visit follows the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, held at the Azraq and Za’atari camps from April 30-May 3, 2025. That festival - the largest yet - featured Taekwondo alongside other sports, reinforcing an ongoing dedication to empowering refugee youth through sport.

This outreach demonstrates how World Taekwondo, under the leadership of Choue and through the THF, continues to harness the power of sport to promote peace, inclusion, and hope.

World Taekwondo Olympic Solidarity Camp Opens in Lima, Peru to Prepare Young Athletes for Dakar 2026 and LA 2028

The opening ceremony of the WT Olympic Solidarity Camp was held on Aug. 25 in Lima, Peru, officially launching a week-long programme that ran until Sept. 2.

The camp was jointly organised by World Taekwondo (WT), the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity programme, the Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU), and the Peruvian Taekwondo Federation, which serves as the local organising committee.

A total of 36 junior athletes and coaches from eight nations - Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay - were participating.

The camp was designed to support junior-level athletes as a stepping stone towards the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, while also contributing to WT’s longterm vision of preparing athletes for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Participants underwent advanced technical and tactical training combined with specialised physical conditioning.

In parallel, local referees and national coaches attended sessions on teaching methodologies to further strengthen expertise across the Pan American Taekwondo community.

The impact of the Olympic Solidarity programme is already evident.

From last year’s camp in the Dominican Republic, six athletes went on to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. These included two from the Dominican Republic, two from Cuba, one from Uruguay, and one from Costa Rica. This achievement demonstrates the direct role of the camps in preparing athletes for the highest levels of competition.

Building on this success, the Peru camp is expected to inspire the region’s next generation of champions. WT President Chungwon Choue previously highlighted during its Senegal edition that Olympic Solidarity Camps not only develop sporting skills but also promote Olympic values and cultural exchange.

World Taekwondo Launches Somalia–Ethiopia Joint Olympic Solidarity Training Camp in Addis Ababa

The launch of the Somalia 2025 WT Olympic Solidarity Training Camp (Youth) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marked an important step in regional cooperation and youth athlete development in East Africa.

The training camp ran from Dec. 22-28 at the Ethiopian Sport Academy, a national high-performance training centre that plays a key role in the development of elite athletes across multiple Olympic sports in Ethiopia. The academy provides integrated facilities for technical training, physical conditioning, and coach education, supporting both athlete and workforce development.

An official opening ceremony was held on Dec. 22

attended by representatives from World Taekwondo, the Somali Taekwondo Federation, and the Ethiopian Taekwondo Federation.

Notable attendees included the Vice President of the Ethiopian Sport Academy and the President of the Ethiopian Taekwondo Federation, reflecting strong institutional support for the joint initiative.

The ceremony highlighted the shared commitment of Somalia and Ethiopia to strengthening youth athlete pathways via bilateral cooperation under the framework of Olympic Solidarity.

Twenty-three participants from the two countries joined the camp; they comprised 19 junior athletes and four coaches. The junior athlete group comprised 11 male and eight female athletes, while the coaching staff consisted of three males and one female coach. Participants trained together in a joint environment designed to promote high-performance development, knowledge exchange, and long-term sustainability.

The structured programme combined technical training, physical conditioning, and simulated competition sessions.

The joint training format provided athletes with valuable international exposure while fostering mutual

learning and cultural exchange between the two teams. In parallel, the programme placed strong emphasis on coach education and performance methodology, contributing to local capacity-building and sustainable development.

The camp was specifically designed to support preparation towards the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, while also aligning with longer-term athlete development objectives linked to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

World Taekwondo expressed its sincere appreciation to the Ethiopian Taekwondo Federation, the local organising body, and the Ethiopian Sport Academy for their cooperation and support in hosting the camp. WT highlighted that joint training initiatives such as this play a vital role in strengthening regional networks and creating sustainable development pathways for emerging Taekwondo nations.

The Somalia 2025 WT Olympic Solidarity Training Camp (Youth) reflected World Taekwondo’s continued commitment to inclusive development, international solidarity, and youth-focused Olympic preparation, using collaborative training environments as a platform for shared growth and sporting excellence.

Opening Ceremony Held in Bishkek for 2025 WT-KCF Kyrgyzstan Cares Program

BISHKEK,

The opening ceremony of the 2025 Kyrgyzstan WT-KCF Cares Program was held in Bishkek on Sept. 20 at the Alga Sports Complex, alongside the launch of the 2nd Nomad GCS International Open Taekwondo Championship, drawing an audience of around 600.

The ceremony featured a Taekwondo demonstration by about 70 students from two Bishkek orphanages - SOS Children’s Village and Aidanek Center.

Nearly 100 orphans from the two institutions are beneficiaries of the 2025 Kyrgyzstan WT Cares Program, supported by the Korea Cultural Foundation, or KCF.

Earlier in the day, around 50 members of GCS and WT visited the Aidanek Center to deliver an electronic organ and two television sets to Director Elmira Jumaeva. The center’s 35 Taekwondo students performed a demonstration that received warm applause from the visitors.

Distinguished guests included World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue,

WT Council Members Maher Magableh and Shaddad Al Amri, Taekwondo India President Namdev Shirgaonker, and Jordan Taekwondo Federation Vice-President Hazem Naimat. Also in attendance were President of the Kyrgyz National Olympic Committee Umbetaly Toktoralievitch Kydyraliev and President of the Taekwondo Association of the Kyrgyz Republic Alexey Park.

In an address, Choue expressed his gratitude to the KCF, for providing financial support to the 2025 Kyrgyzstan WT Cares Program. From 2022 to 2024, Kyrgyzstan’s Cares Program was supported by the Asia Development Foundation. Beginning in 2025, however, the financial backing transitioned to the KCF.

With this support, World Taekwondo operated Cares Programs in Kyrgyzstan and Bhutan in 2025. Meanwhile, it continues to fund initiatives in six other countries - Burundi, Kenya, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lankathrough its own resources.

SUVI MIKKONEN

Empowering Women, Making Olympic WISHes Come True

How global can you get?

Ask Suvi Mikkonen, a Finn who operates out of a Spanish Taekwondo school, and coached a Hungarian Taekwondo athlete to victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Reflecting Taekwondo’s international nature, Mikkonen is a citizen of the world: She – with her family - left her hometown of Parikkala in Finland when she was four years-old, moving to Florida, USA. Since then she has lived in Costa Rica, Argentina and Spain.

She started Taekwondo at age six. It became her life. She moved to Madrid to join elite Spanish club Hankuk where she trained under Head Coach Jesus Ramal, and competed from age 18 to 31.

Like many pro athletes, she suffered for her passion.

“Years of competing at the highest level had taken a toll on my body, and I was dealing with persistent pain from injuries,” she said. Even so, “I knew I wanted to stay in the sport.”

Coaching was the obvious vehicle for a continued presence in Taekwondo. Her pursuit of excellence compelled her to pursue a masters’ degree in mental coaching. “It gave me not only confidence, but also a unique perspective that has shaped my approach as a coach today,” she said.

She discovered her now-famed champion charges on the sunlit island of Tenerife, where Hankuk held training camps. In 2015, a local coach asked if Hankuk could run a one-day seminar for island athletes. Mikkonen’s radar blipped as she watched two little blonde girls, identical twins, just nine years old, being put through their paces.

“They had a unique spark in their eyes, that rare energy you see in future champions,” she recalled.

The girls’ parents approached the coaches and said how much the girls had loved the session. Subsequently, the twins’ father called and said that the family was relocating to Madrid. “They had decided to chase the Olympic dream,” Mikkonen said.

The girls were Luana and Viviana Marton. Mikkonen was “incredibly lucky” to be chosen to coach them. Her luck continued. In 2023, she was selected to join the IOC’s Women in Sport High-Performance Pathway (WISH) program, a global initiative designed to support and develop female coaches at the highest level.

“Being selected as the only Taekwondo representative worldwide, and the only Finnish coach in the program, was a huge honor,” Mikkonen said.

WISH proved to be “a journey of learning, networking, and self-development,” and put her on track to achieve her personal ambition: To not only coach champions, but also to help shape the next generation of female coaches and

leaders in Taekwondo.

Under Mikkonen, the Hungarian twins rose up the rankings. Among many notable achievements, Viviana seized gold at the 2019 European Cadet Championships, Luana took gold at the Baku 2023 World Championships. Then came Paris 2024 and Viviana’s Olympic arrival among the elite.

A medal looked unlikely. Just 18, she had yet to record a major senior-level win.

The key issue in Olympic preparation “was ensuring that the athletes not only trained hard but also enjoyed the journey,” Mikkonen said.

Alongside intense sessions were breaks in the pool and visits to the beach. “These moments helped to keep them mentally fresh and reminded them that the Olympics should be an amazing experience,” the coach stated.

August 9: Fight day for the W-67kg Olympic weight category at the Grand Palais. The category’s favorites were falling. “Unexpected things began to happen,” she recalled. “I looked at Viviana and said, ‘Vivi, anything can happen today!’”

The young fighter showed no nerves: She walked out confidently, saluting the crowd, loving the moment. Long story short: Viviana Marton struck gold. “She wasn’t just an 18-year-old underdog anymore!” Mikkonen said. “She was an Olympic champion!”

Reflecting on her life in Taekwondo, the WISH experience and the triumph of Paris 2024, she hopes for the game to continue its tradition of gender empowerment.

“We need more women in leadership roles in high-performance sport,” Mikkonen insisted. “I want to help empower other women in coaching and to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Taekwondo.”

Taekwondo is gender-equal: It offers four male and four female Olympic weight categories, and at top-level events, strives for a 50:50 gender split in its referees. Mikkonen acknowledged these efforts, but said, “There is always more that can be done. While gender equality exists in competition, there is still a clear gap in leadership and coaching roles at the highest levels.”

Looking forward, she wants to see more female coaches leading teams at major tournaments; more women in technical and decision-making positions in the game; and more women involved in the sport’s governance.

“World Taekwondo can play a key role in this by creating more initiatives like the WISH program, offering mentorship opportunities, and actively encouraging national federations to develop female coaches and leaders,” Mikkonen said. “When young female athletes see women in

positions of leadership, they begin to believe that those roles are attainable for them too.”

She continued, “It is a discipline where your background, ethnicity, or nationality does not matter, - you can become a champion regardless.”

She noted the many Olympic firsts won by Taekwondo athletes from countries like Afghanistan, Gabon and Jordan; Iran’s first female Olympic medalist also came from the sport. “Taekwondo is truly universal,” she said.

Her own hopes, accelerated by WISH, are stellar.

“I want to inspire the next generation of female coaches and leaders,” she said. “The more we push forward, the more the future of Taekwondo will be shaped by diverse voices, perspectives, and opportunities for all.”

World Taekwondo Welcomes 3 New Ambassadors to Champion Sustainability

(July 16, 2025)

World Taekwondo is proud to announce the appointment of three new Sustainability Ambassadors. These inspiring figures will each serve as champions for one of WT’s three core focus areas – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) & Community; Environmental Sustainability; and Health & Well-being – helping to raise awareness, inspire action, and support young people across the global Taekwondo community.

The WT Ambassador Program reflects WT’s commitment to integrating sustainability into the heart of sport. Each ambassador brings a strong personal connection to their focus area and a proven ability to inspire others through action. Over the coming year, they will contribute to WT’s education and engagement efforts, participate in youth events, and support targeted campaigns and initiatives.

The ambassadors are:

Beth Munro (Great Britain) –Health & Well-being

A Paralympic silver medalist and European champion, Beth Munro is not only an elite athlete but also a trained Mental Health Mentor. Through her work in mental health, she can support young people navigating complex mental health needs. Beth brings lived experience, compassion, and resilience to her ambassador role, helping WT open up conversations around athlete well-being and mental health support in sport.

Faith Ogallo (Kenya) –

Environmental Sustainability

An accomplished African

Games and African Championships medalist, Faith Ogallo has also become a voice for environmental action. Moved by health risks in her community caused by unmanaged waste, she began local clean-up efforts and has since become a Young Champion of Ecosystem Restoration with the global movement, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Faith sees Taekwondo as a platform to encourage environmental awareness among youth and promote community-based solutions.

Natsiraishe Maritsa (Zimbabwe) – DEI & Community

At just 21, Natsiraishe Maritsa has already made a lasting impact through Taekwondo. She founded the Vulnerable Underaged People’s Auditorium (VUPA), using sport to empower young girls in her community to stand up against child marriage and gender inequality. Her efforts were recognised with the IOC Women and Sport Award for Africa. As a WT ambassador, Natsiraishe will bring this experience to a global stage, championing inclusive leadership and access to sport.

The WT Ambassador Program empowers champions to lead change on the mat, in their communities, and around the world. Ambassadors serve as mentors, advocates, and storytellers, using their voices and values to help build a more inclusive, sustainable, and healthy sporting future. For sustainability media or partnership inquiries, contact the WT Sustainability Team at sustainability@worldtaekwondo.org

Working Together for Sustainable Supply

World Taekwondo Marks World

Mental Health Day with New Developments Ahead of Wuxi 2025

(Oct. 10, 2025)

Alongside the global observation of World Mental Health Day, World Taekwondo reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the well-being of athletes, coaches, and all members of the Taekwondo family. Multiple initiatives are in play.

At the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, mental health and safeguarding took centre stage. A new Safeguarding & Mental Health guide was made available to all participants via QR code, providing practical tips on managing stress, recognising warning signs, and finding support during competition. The guide highlighted the importance of rest, mindfulness, and reaching out for help when needed, reinforcing that mental health is just as important as physical fitness.

In addition, outdoor wellness activities such as guided hikes in nearby wetland parks were planned. The sessions aimed to encourage rest, connection, and recovery amidst the intensity of competition

These initiatives build on World Taekwondo’s

ongoing commitment to athlete well-being through its “WT Champions Mindset: A Commitment to Mental Health in Taekwondo” campaign, which promotes awareness, openness, and support for mental health across the Taekwondo community.

At the Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, World Taekwondo implemented a mental health booth for free testing and evaluation of participants.

Importantly, World Taekwondo is exploring a rule change to include psychologists within the Member National Association (MNA) team accreditation allowances at WT-promoted and recognised championships, marking a significant step toward embedding mental health support in elite competition environments.

Together, these initiatives reflect World Taekwondo’s ongoing effort to foster a safe, supportive, and balanced sporting environment, one where athletes can thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically.

SEOUL, Korea (June 4, 2025)

As part of World Taekwondo’s commitment to the Sports for Nature Framework and the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, WT is working to embed sustainability across all areas of operations – including how the federation works with the companies that supply products and services for the sport.

In 2025, WT began a process to strengthen sustainable procurement practices by engaging suppliers around a shared checklist focused on key environmental topics. The aim was to open a constructive dialogue about where sustainability is already being implemented and where WT could work together to improve over time.

WT is pleased to share three early examples of promising practice from suppliers actively contributing to this effort.

KPNP: Advancing Circularity and Energy Efficiency

KPNP is taking a number of forward-looking steps to reduce its environmental impact, including:

Product Return and Reuse: A program is in place to collect used products for recycling and reuse, with ongoing work to improve collection logistics.

Eco-Friendly and Modular Design: Products are being developed with more durable, reusable, and recyclable components, with a modular approach that supports repair and longevity.

Use of Renewable Energy: Solar energy is integrated into facilities, supporting a transition to cleaner operations.

Sustainable Packaging: Packaging includes recycled cardboard and reusable plastic, with minimal use of individual product wrapping.

These actions reflect an organization actively embedding environmental considerations across its design and delivery, while continuing to seek practical improvements.

MJ Sports: Laying the Groundwork Through Compliance and Innovation

MJ Sports is making steady progress by combining compliance with international standards and long-term sustainability thinking:

Safety and Material Standards: Production materials meet international safety standards, including AZO-free dyes and EU chemical compliance.

Reuse Initiatives: Products returned in good condition are redistributed for use in developing countries, helping to extend product life.

R&D in Sustainable Materials: The supplier is investing in the development of alternative, more sustainable materials, recognizing the complexity and time investment required.

Responsible Packaging: A basic but functional packaging approach is in place, using poly bags and cardboard,

with scope for optimization.

MJ Sports manages production through OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) factories, meaning the manufacturing is outsourced to facilities not directly owned by the company. While this model is common across the industry, it can present challenges for oversight. Nevertheless, MJ Sports maintains regular site visits and is proactively identifying areas for future improvement.

Waychamp: Prioritising Sustainable Transport and Materials

Waychamp is implementing several practical initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, with a particular focus on transportation and packaging:

Sustainable Business Travel: Employees are required to use high-speed rail as the primary mode of travel. Air travel is permitted only when absolutely necessary, and must be booked as a direct flight.

Transition to Electric Vehicles: The company is actively working to replace diesel vehicles with electric trucks.

Packaging Innovation: Traditional wooden shipping boxes are being replaced with recyclable honeycomb cardboard.

These measures demonstrate a strong focus on reducing emissions from transport and logistics while improving the recyclability of materials used in operations.

What WT is Learning

These examples highlight how suppliers are approaching sustainability in different ways – whether through product innovation, renewable energy, improved packaging, or upstream partnerships. Importantly, all three suppliers have shown openness, initiative, and a commitment to ongoing progress.

Their input is helping to shape the next phase of procurement work, which includes:

Developing a new sustainable procurement policy and supplier charter;

Integrating sustainability into competition operational requirements and event bidding processes; and

Providing clearer expectations and guidance to both suppliers and internal teams involved in procurement.

Looking Ahead

Sustainable procurement is a long-term journey. These early examples show the value of collaboration and transparency in driving change – and the importance of recognizing and building on the good practices already in place.

WT thanks all suppliers participating in this process.

World Taekwondo Announces 2025 Sustainability Awards Winners

World Taekwondo proudly announced the recipients of its Sustainability Awards 2025, thanked all Member National Associations (MNAs) that submitted, and congratulated the winners.

The awards recognize MNAs delivering meaningful impact across three strategic Focus Areas: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Community; Health & Well-being; and Environmental Sustainability.

This cycle received 10 eligible applications spanning five Continental Unions, with the majority in DEI, alongside strong entries in Health & Well-being and Environmental Sustainability.

The awards followed a structured jury assessment, scoring, and online discussion to ensure a fair and thorough review.

Following the scoring and live discussion, the jury confirmed a clear top three in DEI, a category winner in Environmental Sustainability and joint winners in Health & Well-being.

DIVERSITY,

ra-specific coach education, creating a durable, organization-wide model for equity.

2nd

– Slovakia: Equal Preparation, Equal Opportunity

The Slovak Taekwondo Association systematically integrated Para athletes into national training camps alongside able-bodied teammates, normalizing equal access to coaching, preparation, and recognition while building an inclusive training culture.

mobilized athletes and coaches for a coastal clean-up at Gnejna Bay, pairing hands-on stewardship with youth education and setting a template for repeatable community-led environmental action.

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Joint 1st – Bhutan: Taekwondo for Sustainable Development

A 14-week, science-informed program aligned with Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness integrated somatotype-based training, health checks, and mental-well-being elements, demonstrating measurable gains in youth physical and psychological outcomes.

3rd – Tonga: Grassroots Taekwondo Development for Youth & Communities

EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI) AND COMMUNITY

1st – Australia: Para Taekwondo Enhancement

Australian Taekwondo embedded Para Taekwondo across its system, appointing a Para Technical Lead, co-funding a Para coach, refreshing its Para Committee under Paralympic medalist Janine Watson, integrating Para athletes into national pathway camps, and launching Pa-

Tonga’s federated club–school model now reaches six government primary schools and 150+ students with near-parity participation, using Taekwondo to build inclusion, life skills, and community pride across islands.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

1st – Malta: Kick for a Cleaner Coast

In partnership with Nature Trust Malta, the Malta Taekwondo Association

Joint 1st – Slovakia: Mental Coaching for Athletes and Trainers

A structured sport-psychology initiative for athletes and coaches addressed stress, communication, and leadership, embedding preventive mental skills and shifting culture toward holistic, long-term athlete development.

NEXT STEPS AND CASE STUDY SHARING

Looking ahead World Taekwondo will explore measures to raise quality and participation: introducing a minimum cut-off score, aligning more closely with the biennial MNA ranking approach, and incentivizing continued engagement.

Initiatives were profiled on the WT website so our community can adapt examples to their local context.

World Taekwondo Offsets Carbon Emissions for 2023, Strengthens Commitment to Sustainability

World Taekwondo has successfully offset its carbon emissions for 2023 as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability. The federation continues to take meaningful steps to reduce its environmental impact while working collaboratively with stakeholders to implement sustainable competition management.

2023 Carbon Footprint and Offsetting

For the year 2023, World Taekwondo’s total carbon footprint amounted to 303.26 tonnes of CO₂, with emissions distributed as follows:

Scope 1 (Direct emissions): 3.88 tCO₂ (1%)

Scope 2 (Energy-related emissions): 9.51 tCO₂ (3%)

Scope 3 (Indirect emissions, primarily travel): 289.87 tCO₂ (96%)

As in 2022, travel remained the dominant source of emissions, with 76% of total emissions coming from air travel. To address this, World Taekwondo has been prioritizing reductions in travel-related emissions while ensuring the continued growth and development of the sport.

World Taekwondo has offset its 2023 emissions through 304 Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Registry. The credits were sourced from the BRT Zhengzhou, China pro-

ject, supporting sustainable urban transport initiatives that contribute to global emissions reductions.

Progress

on Emission Reductions Since 2022

World Taekwondo’s overall emissions in 2023 were lower than in 2022, partly due to changes in the event calendar. With more WT-promoted events taking place in China and Korea, there was a natural reduction in long-haul travel compared to the previous year. While this shift contributed to lower travel-related emissions, World Taekwondo remains committed to actively identifying opportunities for further reductions in the future.

Looking Ahead: Sustainable Competition Management

Moving forward, World Taekwondo will continue to focus on reducing emissions across its operations, with a particular emphasis on sustainable competition management. This initiative will involve collaboration with competition organizers and Member National Associations (MNAs) to identify and minimize unnecessary emissions linked to World Taekwondo’s promoted international events, as a first step.

In an initial phase World Taekwondo is seeking input from competition organizers to develop a tool with guidelines and corresponding operational requirements to assist competition organizers in integrating sustainability principles into their events. The aim is not only to reduce emissions but also to promote positive social impacts within host communities.

A Collaborative Approach to Sustainability

By working closely with MNAs and competition organizers, World Taekwondo is taking a collaborative approach to sustainability, ensuring that environmental responsibility is embedded across all levels of the sport. The federation remains committed to driving innovation and best practices in sustainable event management while continuing to offset unavoidable emissions.

World Taekwondo recognizes that reducing its carbon footprint is an ongoing journey, and 2025’s focus on sustainable competition management reflects its dedication to long-term environmental responsibility.

Stay tuned for updates on the development of the sustainability tool and ongoing efforts to make World Taekwondo events more environmentally and socially sustainable.

WT Expresses Condolences on Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

(April 21, 2025)

World Taekwondo expressed its deepest sorrow on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, and extended heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community.

Pope Francis was a beacon of peace, compassion, and unity, who transcended religious and cultural boundaries with his humility and unwavering commitment to humanity.

World Taekwondo had the honor of building a meaningful relationship with His Holiness, who recognized the power of sport in promoting social harmony and hope.

In October 2016, Pope Francis hosted the 1st Global Conference on Faith & Sport at the Vatican under the theme, “Sport at the Service of Humanity.”

During the opening ceremony, the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team performed at the Paul VI Audience Hall in the presence of Pope Francis, then-UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and IOC President Thomas Bach. The performance included a heartfelt message on the humanitarian efforts of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), which resonated deeply with the audience and the Pope himself.

In May 2017, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue had the extraordinary privilege of meeting Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Square and presented His Holiness with an honorary 10th dan black belt, the highest rank in Taekwondo. The meeting highlighted the Pope’s appreciation for the values of discipline,

respect, and peace that Taekwondo embodies, as well as his support for World Taekwondo’s humanitarian programs in refugee camps and disaster-affected regions.

In May 2018, the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team once again had the honor of performing in front of Pope Francis during the General Audience at St. Peter’s Square. The demonstration concluded with a powerful message: “Peace is more precious than triumph,” echoing both the pope’s values and World Taekwondo’s mission.

Most notably, in November 2021, the Vatican officially joined the World Taekwondo family with the recognition of Athletica Vatican – Vatican Taekwondo as the federation’s 211th member. This historic inclusion reflects the deep connection forged between World Taekwondo and the Vatican, united by a shared belief in the power of sport to promote dignity, solidarity, and inclusion.

“Pope Francis was a moral compass to the world and a true friend to the World Taekwondo community,” said Choue. “We were honored by his support and inspired by his vision of peace through compassion and action. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who believe in the transformative power of sport.”

World Taekwondo mourns the loss of a global spiritual leader and extends its prayers to the Holy See and all people around the world touched by the grace of Pope Francis.

2026 Event Calendar

TAEKWONDO

2026 World University Taekwondo Festival

July 8-9 Chuncheon, KoreaGangwon-Chuncheon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge

July 13 Gangwon-Chuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo Demonstration & Breaking Championships

July 14-16 Chuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships Series

Aug. TBC 2026 World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships (2nd)

Aug. 28-30 Taiyuan, China Taiyuan 2026 World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships

Sept. 4Muju, Korea Muju Taekwondowon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Series

Sept. 5-7 Muju Taekwondowon 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series

Sept. 16-20 Chuncheon, KoreaChuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships

Oct. 8 Paris, France Paris 2026 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Series

Oct. 9-11 Paris 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series

Nov. 8-12 (TKD) Dakar, Senegal Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Nov. 20-22 Muju, Korea Muju Taekwondowon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Championships (11th)

Nov. 27 Astana, Kazakhstan Astana 2026 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Final

Nov. 28-29 Astana 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final

Dec. 9-10 Wuxi, China Wuxi 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge

Dec. 12-13 Wuxi 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series

Dec. 15 Wuxi 2026 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships Final

Publisher / Chungwon Choue

Editor-in Chief / Magazine Director / Heesoo Noh

Editors / Andrew Salmon, Yeni Lee

Contributing Photographers / Pyunggil Lee, Denis Sekretev

Designed by / DN (www.d-n.kr | d-n@daum.net)

World Taekwondo is delighted to bring you the official publication of the federation.

Taekwondo magazine epitomizes our enthusiasm and progressive mindset in leading Taekwondo and the World Taekwondo. Taekwondo magazine is published annually.

It is a summary of the previous year’s events, competition results and happenings throughout the world of Taekwondo. It provides the events of the year, interviews with Taekwondo stars and useful information on Taekwondo.

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