Syrian Refugee Earns Black Belt in Azraq Refugee Camp

First dan promotion is a milestone for Azraq Humanitarian Taekwondo Center

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Federation (THF) Azraq Taekwondo Academy, which teaches Taekwondo and related educational progrms to Syrian refugees in Azraq Refugee Camp, graduated its first-ever black belt in 2017.

Wael Fawaz Al-Farraj was born in August 2002 in Syria, and currently resides at Azraq Camp in Jordan. Although he was only 15 years old, Al-Farraj had been practicing Taekwondo since the THF Azraq Academy first started classes in the camp in April 2016. At that time he was 13, but had an obvious talent for the sport. One and a half years later he become perhaps the THF’s most accomplished student.

Al-Farraj said that he had been strongly impacted by Taekwondo and become passionate about the martial art. His coaches noted that he was extremely determined and practiced every day – not just during the organized training sessions, but also on his own. Due to his natural ability and motivation, the young boy developed strong bonds with both instructors teaching at the academy, who were both surprised and enthusiastic about his progress.

On Nov. 30, 2017, the Syrian teenager took part in a belt test with a large number of local Taekwondo students from Jordan. Of all the many students testing for black belt that day, Al-Farraj finished at the head of the class, making him the first THF student to achieve the double feat: dan grade and best student at the dan grading.

Earning the iconic belt after only one and a half years of practice was no easy task, which was why the THF was so proud. The news was well received at the WT headquarters in Seoul, Korea.

“I was delighted to hear the news that Azraq’s first-ever black belt has been earned - this shows real progress,” said WT President and THF Chairman Chungwon Choue. “I offer my congratulations to Wael Fawaz Al-Farraj, and thank his coaches for producing such a fine student in such a short time.”

Noting that “sustainability” is one of the key watchwords of the THF, Choue added, “I hope that, as he matures, Wael will pass on the sport to those younger and less experienced then himself, so that, in the fullness of time, the student becomes the teacher.”

In fact, that process was already underway: During his free hours, Al-Farraj began to teach Taekwondo to other children living in the camp.

Al-Ayoub of Azraq Refugee Camp is Youngest Refugee to Tie on a Black Belt

A 6-year-old girl named Doaa Al-Ayoub became the youngest refugee in the world to be awarded a black belt in Taekwondo in 2021.

The tiny athlete was tested by the Jordan Taekwondo Federation and everyone watching was impressed by her performance and self-confidence.

After testing, she asked her father if she could go to a children’s theme park as a reward for her performance.

Al-Ayoub was among the 16 students to have been awarded black belts at the Azraq Taekwondo Academy in the Azraq Refugee Camp. The academy is managed by the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) as part of its commitment to empower refugees through Taekwondo.

Al-Ayoub continued her rapid development in the sport and was awarded a 2nd Dan in December 2022. She received the honor just over a year after first being awarded the 1st Dan black belt. She was once again tested by the Jordan Taekwondo Federation and impressed with her skill and discipline. Speaking about Al-Ayoub, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said, “we are very proud of Doaa and her incredible achievements at such a young age. With so much talent and determination there is no limit to what she can achieve in our sport.” “She is an example to all of us that no matter our circumstances, if we work hard, we can excel and pursue our dreams. We wish her all the best for the future and pursue our dreams.

Taekwondo, Wrestling ‘Aspire 2gether for Peace’ at Azraq Refugee Camp

Taekwondo and wrestling are two very different combat sports, but that did not stop them joining forces to empower refugees

World Taekwondo (WT), the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) and United World Wrestling (UWW) hosted their first-ever joint training event, named “Aspire 2gether for Peace,” at the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan on July 19, 2019.

The joint event was a tangible outcome of the landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between WT, the THF and UWW on Oct. 22, 2018. The Aspire 2gether for Peace event saw UWW unite with WT and the THF to deliver wrestling training to refugees at the existing Humanitarian Taekwondo Center.

The event was attended by a senior delegation from all three organizations including WT President and THF Chairman Chungwon Choue, Olympic gold medalists and THF/WT Ambassadors Jingyu Wu and Ahmed Abughaush, and Olympic medalists and UWW Ambassadors Arsen Julfalakyan and Clarissa Chun. IOC Executive Board member HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein attended on behalf of the IOC. UNHCR delegates also attended the event. Taekwondo players from Azraq Camp performed a Taekwondo demonstration which was followed by a wrestling demonstration by the UWW Ambassadors and four local athletes. Wu and Abughaush, and Julfalakyan and Chun, respectively, delivered Taekwondo lessons and wrestling lessons to refugee children.

“We are delighted to have joined forces with United World Wrestling to show that our MOU was not just words, but the start of a real and tangible partnership which will benefit refugee children around the world,” Choue said.

He added that the partnership would be sustainable.

“This is not just a one-off event but the start of a long-term commitment,” he said. “By offering Taekwondo and wrestling lessons at our Humanitarian Taekwondo Center here in Azraq, we are able to reach even more young people and provide even greater support.”

Arsen Julfalakyan, UWW ambassador and Athletes Commission member, also spoke. “It is great to contribute to the lives of the refugees through sport and thanks to the opportunity given by WT and the THF, wrestling is in the Azraq sporting program.” “The refugees need sport in their lives which will enhance their current difficult situation. UWW is very proud to inspire future generations.”