Biggest Ever! Goyang 2022 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships Kicks off

The biggest-ever World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships began in Goyang, Korea, today with athletes from a record 62 countries taking part.

Female athletes in the Recognized Team over 30 and Recognized Single under 65 categories kicked off the tournament in style, proving that athletes of all ages can excel in Poomsae.

In the Women’s Recognized Team over 30 category, it was Team Korea who took the gold medal, with the USA claiming silver and Brazil and Mexico sharing bronzes.

In the Women’s Under 65 event, Barbara Brand of the USA saw off a challenge from Belgium’s Vera Moens to win gold with the Belgian taking silver. Canada’s Shelley Vettese Baert and Austria’s Leni Niedermayr secured the bronze medals. Before the competitions began, a spectacular opening ceremony featured media art, a colourful LED light display and a performance from the awe-inspiring World Taekwondo Demonstration team.

And a new flag was seen at the opening ceremony after the Maldives became the 212th member of World Taekwondo, following the WT Council’s decision on its membeship the day prior.

Ukraine’s Yeva Gavrylova (Cadets) and Korea’s Min-ki No (Over 30s pair) took the athletes’ oath and Mongolia’s Erdenbaatar Naranchimeg and Korea’s Kim Gyurin took the oath of the referees.

“Taekwondo is a gift to the world and is a great unifier of society, but Poomsae in particular is truly a sport for all,” World Taekwondo President said during the ceremony. “You just have to look at the athletes who are competing in Goyang this week – we have athletes who are teenagers and we have athletes who are grandparents. Age is truly just a number in Taekwondo.”

Given that fighting is not for everyone, Choue praised the non-contact practice of Poomsae as a component in the global health and fitness movement.

Choue also delivered a plaque of appreciation to Goyang Mayor Jae-Joon Lee for the city’s organisation of the Championships and presented an honorary 7th dan black belt certificate to Raffaele Chiulli, President of the Union Internationale Motonautique.

Against the backdrop of current world events, it was notable that a duo of cadet siblings from Ukraine had made it to Goyang. The two spoke during a press conference, where the expressed their happiness at being able to arrive, and to achieve their dreams of participating in Poomsae’s biggest event.

Korea Takes Lead, Followed by Chinese Taipei, Spain, USA

The Goyang 2022 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships got into full swing today, after mainly preliminaries and the opening ceremony on Day 1.

At the end of the day, host country Korea was leading the medal tables with 11 golds, followed by Chinese Taipei with three, and Spain and USA with two each.

Multiple categories were in play – recognized and freestyle, male and female, individuals and teams, mixed and pairs.

With the creative categories offering musical accompaniment, the sound system got a workout as the huge venue echoed to the sound of rock, orchestral and electronic arrangements. And the crowd was equally audible, letting rip with chants and songs as favored athletes strutted their stuff on the mats.

The biggest applause of the day went to refugee athlete Gasto Nsazimukiza, originally from D.R. Congo, but currently resident in Kenya. Not only did he win the hearts of the crowd when he performed in a special showcase event, he was mobbed for photos afterward by spectators and staff of the UNHCR.

One of the highest profile teams at the tourney were unable to medal. However, Team Ukraine’s participation alone inspired the World Taekwondo family, who are united in their support for the country at this difficult time.