WorldTaekwondo 2024 Magazine by worldtaekwondo

Global Membership

213 World Taekwondo has 213 Member National Associations worldwide. The “+1” stands for refugees.

Members

Africa

Algeria

Ethiopia

Nigeria

Angola

Gabon

Benin

Gambia

Botswana

+1 Refugees

Europe

Pan America

Albania

Italy

Antigua & Barbuda

Honduras

Andorra

Kosovo

Australia

Argentina

Jamaica

Armenia

Latvia

Cook Islands

Aruba

Martinique

Austria

Lithuania

Fiji

Bahamas

Mexico

Azerbaijan

Luxembourg

French Polynesia

Barbados

Nicaragua

Belarus

North Macedonia

Guam

Belize

Panama

Belgium

Malta

Kiribati

Bermuda

Paraguay

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Republic of Moldova

Marshall Islands

Bolivia

Peru

Bulgaria

Monaco

Micronesia

Brazil

Puerto Rico

Croatia

Montenegro

Nauru

Canada

St. Kitts & Nevis

Cyprus

Netherlands

New Caledonia

Cayman Islands

St. Lucia

Uzbekistan

Czech Republic

Norway

New Zealand

Chile

Vietnam

Denmark

Poland

Palau

Colombia

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Yemen

Estonia

Portugal

Papua New Guinea

Costa Rica

Suriname

Faroe Islands

Romania

Samoa

Cuba

Trinidad and Tobago

Finland

Russia

Solomon Islands

Curacao

U.S.A.

France

San Marino

Tonga

Dominica

Uruguay

Georgia

Serbia

Tuvalu

Dominican Republic

Venezuela

Germany

Slovakia

Vanuatu

Ecuador

Virgin Islands, British

Great Britain

Slovenia

El Salvador

Virgin Islands, US

Greece

Spain

French Guiana

Hungary

Sweden

Grenada

Iceland

Switzerland

Guadeloupe

Ireland

Turkiye

Guatemala

Isle of Man

Ukraine

Guyana

Israel

Vatican City

Haiti

Asia

Afghanistan

Laos

Timor-Leste

Rwanda

Bahrain

Lebanon

Turkmenistan

Sao Tome & Principe

Bangladesh

Macao

Ghana

Senegal

Bhutan

Malaysia

United Arab Emirates

Burkina Faso

Guinea

Seychelles

Brunei

Maldives

Burundi

Guinea-Bissau

Sierra Leone

Cambodia

Mongolia

Cameroon

Kenya

Somalia

China

Myanmar

Cape Verde

Lesotho

South Africa

Chinese Taipei

Nepal

Central African Republic

Liberia

Sudan

Hong Kong

Oman

Libya

South Sudan

India

Pakistan

Chad

Madagascar

Tanzania

Indonesia

Palestine

Comoros

Malawi

Togo

Iran

Philippines

Congo

Mali

Tunisia

Iraq

Qatar

D.R. Congo

Mauritania

Uganda

Japan

Saudi Arabia

Cote d’Ivoire

Mauritius

Zambia

Jordan

Singapore

Djibouti

Morocco

Zimbabwe

Kazakhstan

Sri Lanka

Egypt

Mozambique

Korea

Syria

Equatorial Guinea

Namibia

Kuwait

Tajikistan

Eswatini

Niger

Kyrgyzstan

Thailand

American Samoa

Oceania

President’s Message Beloved World Taekwondo family, 2023 was a vintage year! We celebrated our Golden Jubilee, reflecting on the great strides that we have taken in the 50 years since our founding, while laying foundations for an even brighter future. It was a year of historic achievements. World Taekwondo expanded to 213 member nations and territories across the globe with the membership of Namibia, making us the fourth largest International Federation of the Olympic Movement. Our journey from 17 Member National Associations in 1973 to 213 in 2023 has been remarkable, and it is all thanks to your selfless contributions. I wish to thank every MNA for commemorating our 50th anniversary through events and activities in your respective countries. My special appreciation goes to the cities that hosted WT-recognised events in 2023, especially: Baku for hosting the World Championships and the Golden Jubilee Gala, where we recognised the best male and female athletes of each Olympic and Paralympic Games; Sarajevo as first-time host of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships; and Veracruz for hosting the World Para Taekwondo Championships. In 2023, WT forayed into a new frontier with Virtual Taekwondo. Our latest innovation was recognised by the IOC and included in the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Singapore. We also created new events. We saw the first Grand-Prix Challenge for emerging athletes outside of Korea in Dakar, as well as the inaugural editions of the Octagon Diamond Game, Demonstration Championships and Para Taekwondo Open Challenge in Chuncheon. It is not just about expansion, but also about excellence. Together with IOC President Thomas Bach and other great friends of our sport, WT installed a statue at the Olympic Museum. The artwork befits our sport – it is a symbol of the hopes and dreams that aspire to Olympism and peace. Our commitment to an inclusive world through sport for refugees and displaced persons led to the creation of the inaugural Hope and Dreams Sports Festival. The 2023 event was a meaningful endeavour with Baseball and Softball added to the program. I believe that its success will serve as a platform for collaborations with more sports in the 2024 edition. For our humanitarian efforts, WT and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation received two prestigious awards in 2023. First, the IOC president awarded us the Olympic Cup, the highest distinction for any organisation that promotes the ideals of the Olympic Movement. Second, the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival was recognised as the Combat Sport Initiative of the Year at the Peace and Sports Award. Another milestone: In 2023, we awarded the 100th black belt in our flagship THF program at Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan.

The IOC also recognised 12 refugee athletes for the Olympic Solidarity Programme for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, making Taekwondo the second-largest sport in the program. In addition, two of our refugee athletes were featured in the moving documentary, “We Dare to Dream.” I hope their determination to succeed will inspire their fellow refugee athletes on their path to Paris 2024. Just as importantly, World Taekwondo launched its Sustainability Strategy focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion and community; health and well being; and environmental sustainability. Our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Olympic Agendas remains firmer than ever. Looking ahead from commemorating 50 years since our founding, we look forward to celebrating 30 years of recognition as an Olympic Sport – a historic decision of the 103rd IOC Session in Paris on Sept. 4, 1994. Coincidentally, the upcoming Olympic Taekwondo competitions will be in Paris on Aug. 7-10, and the Paralympic Games on Aug. 29-31. Taekwondo will compete in the beautiful Grand Palais des Champs-Elysees - an iconic sport in an iconic venue. Five continental qualification tournaments in Dakar, Sofia, Tai’an, Honiara, and Santo Domingo will offer pathways to Olympic and Paralympic glory. I wish to thank the host cities and wish all athletes good luck on your path Paris 2024. This includes the second-ever group of refugee athletes for the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. Leading up to the Olympic Games, World Taekwondo will organise yet another joint training camp in Muju in May. This workup will help coaches and referees develop genuine unity and respect. There will also be a training camp for the selected referees of Paris 2024 in Monaco in June. 2024 it is not just about the Olympic Games. We look forward to the World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Chuncheon in October, the inaugural World Taekwondo Virtual Championships in Singapore in November, and the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Hong Kong, also in November. Finally, the 2024 Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in early May will be expanded to include more Olympic sports. This is going to be yet another amazing year, as we further cement our status as one of the most respected sports in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Thank you for your passionate support of our sport. Happy New Year! Chungwon Choue President, World Taekwondo

TAEKWONDO

Official Publication of World Taekwondo

111

Head of Team Meeting Held ahead of Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships Elections Held for Athletes’ Committee

Great Britain, Hungary Grab Golds on Day 1 in Baku

Double Delight for France, Gold for Korea on Baku Day 2

Golds for Italy, Korea, Turkiye on Day 3 of Worlds

2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Global Membership

President’s Message

PART 1 COMPETITIONS

Turkiye Doubles Down on Day 4

Croatia, Korea, Victorious on Day 5

Day 6 Proves Golden for Croatia, AIN

Day 7 Proves Lucky for Cote d’Ivoire, Iran, as Baku 2023 Draws to a Close

Korea Wins Men’s Title, Turkiye Tops Women’s Podium at Baku 2023 World Championships

Bach in Baku: IOC President Attends 2023 World Championships

THF Refugee Athlete Lives the Dream at World Championships

Leaving a Lasting Impression

Althea Laurin Hopes World Title will Kick off a Gold Rush

World Taekwondo Council Meets in Chuncheon

226

Agreement on Relocation of WT HQ to Chuncheon Signed

227

144

WT Appoints, Re-Appoints Commission, Committee Chairs, Raises Female Representation

228

3 Events Conclude as Fest Finishes in Chuncheon

146

WT President Holds Video Conference with Committee Chairs

229

Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge Gets Underway

148

In the Heart of the Champs Elysees: WT Gets Peak Inside Unique, Iconic and Historic Paris 2024 Olympic Taekwondo Venue

230

Up-and-Coming Taekwondo Kids Kick off Cadet Contest

150 152

Paris 2024 Technical Delegate Mohamed Shaaban Preparing ‘Spectacular’ Olympic Competition

232

Sarajevo Cadets Kick up a Storm Rich Talent Pipeline on Display as Cadets Continue to Impress

154

VIPs, Sporting Officials, Meet WT President on Sidelines of Sarajevo Cadet Championships

Inaugural Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival Kicks Off

140

Beach, Diamond, Demo Championships all in Play in Chuncheon on Day 2

Cisse, Malak, Nominated for IOC Athletes’ Commission Election

233

155

Taekwondo Fields 2nd Biggest Team of Refugee Athlete Scholarship Holders

234

Cadet Championships End with a Bang

156

WT President, Senegalese NOC, Talk Possibilities Surrounding 2026 Youth Olympic Games

234

Enter the Matrix: Virtual Taekwondo Debuts at Olympic Esports Week

160

Taekwondo Olympian Taps into Athlete Experience as Dakar 2026 Sports Director

235

Team Korea Walks off Mats with Women’s World Cup

166

Olympians, World Champs from Spain’s Hankuk International School Visit WT HQ

236

Thai Taekwondo Awarded for Decades of Achievements

237

World Taekwondo Donates to Taekwondo Community Affected by Earthquake in Turkiye

237

Choue Receives Honorary PhD from French University

238

WT Puts the Boot into Abuse and Harrasment via IOC Safeguarding Course

238

Taekwondo Day Awards Go to Azerbaijan Taekwondo Leader, WT Wuxi Center Founder

239

Iran Retains Male World Cup at 2023 Team Championships

168

Brazil Lifts Mixed Gender World Cup

169 170

Hungary’s Luana Marton is Hungry for More

Lena Stojkovic: ‘I Didn’t Give up and it Paid off’

China Wins Gold at Wuxi 2023 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships Final

Leon Sejranovic Hopes Medal will Inspire Next-Gen Aussie Warriors

Artistic Action Rocks Martial Muju

172

College Student Sang-hyun Kang Passes World Championship Test

Korea Leads Medal Table on Day 2

173

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships Gallery

WT Poomsae Open Challenge Draws to End in Muju

173

Chinese Taipei, Korea, Strike Gold 1

174

USA Joins Chinese Taipei, Korea, on Muju Gold Medal Podium

‘Team Wow:’ US Poomsae Goddesses Talk up Non-Combat Taekwondo

Golds Galore for Chinese Taipei, Korea, on Final Day in Muju

Dakar 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Challenge Offers Berths to Paris 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

Taekwondo Joins the Action as World’s Top Fighting Sports Mass in Saudi

176

Freestyle Poomsae Steals the Show on Day 2 at World Combat Games

178

Great Britain, Uzbekistan Storm Podium on Day 1

Korea, Philippines, Gain Gold on Day 3 in Riyadh

179

China Claims 2 Golds, Spain 1, on Day 2

Krakow-Malpolska 2023 European Games

180

Jordan, Thailand, Grab Last Golds in Roma

Santiago 2023 Pan American Games

182

We’re in! Para Taekwondo Confirmed for LA 2028 Paralympic Games

For Chinese Trio, Triumph is Down to Teamwork Song

100

The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou

184

Garcia Quijano, Isakova, Announce Arrival on Big Stage; Yasur Retains Title

Adrian Vicente Yunta: Progression, Hard Work Pays off for Spain’s Roma Champ

102

Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games

186

Khalilov on Dream Run; Brazil Grabs Brace of Golds

Golds for Great Britain, Iran, Turkiye on Day 1 in Paris Grand-Prix

104

Evening of the Elite: Game’s Best Honored at 2023 Gala Awards

188

GB’s Bush Back on Form with 2nd World Title; Truesdale Victorious Again

China, Iran, Uzbekistan Grab Grand-Prix Golds on Day 2 in Paris

106

Emotional Return of Para Poomsae Players to World Championships

Last Golds of Paris GP Go to Cote d’Ivoire, Hometown Heroine

108

Veracruz 2023: Closing Ceremony

Merve Dincel Pays into Turkiye’s Golden 2023

110

Paris Hosts Season Opener

Canada, Thailand, Tunisia Grab Golds on Day 1 in ‘Dragon City’

112

IPC President Joins Paris 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix

Salma Grabs Egypt’s 1st Gold in a Day of Upsets at Veracruz

Asian Stars in Focus at Taiyuan World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix

Manchester 2023 World Para Taekwondo GP Final

IPC President attends Manchester 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix Final

Rotterdam 2023 European Para Championships

Refugee Athlete Zakia Khudadadi Grabs Gold, Sends Message, in Rotterdam

The 4th Asian Para Games Hangzhou Para Taekwondo Makes High-Impact Debut

Golds for Costa Rica, Mexico and US on last day of Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games

Super Kickers Dazzle at Opening Ceremony of Baku 2023 Worlds

Day 2: Korea, Serbia, Tunisia Strike Gold

114

AIN, China Grab Last Golds in ‘Dragon City’

116

PART 2 AROUND WT Taekwondo Statue Unveiled at Olympic Museum in Lausanne

202

Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Honored with Olympic Cup

208

2024 World Juniors Head to Chuncheon; 2024 World Poomsae Goes to Hong Kong

210

Hong Kong Signs Host City Contract for 2024 World Poomsae Championships

211

Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi: Tunisian Lion Roars in Taiyuan

118

Nahid Kiyanichandeh: Now is the Moment

120

Aleksandra Perisic: Taekwondo vs ‘Tallkwondo’

122

First Golds Go to China, Hungary, Italy, Korea Thailand

124

Belgium, Cote d’Ivoire, Korea, Land Last Golds of 2023 Grand-Prix Season

130

It’s Wuxi! WT Council Votes for Chinese City to Host 2025 World Championships

212

China, Iran, Uzbekistan, Grab Golds at Wuxi 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series

133

Signing Ceremony Held for Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

214

Wuxi 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series Ends with China on Top

134

WT Symposium Focuses on Taekwondo’s Value, Future

215

China, Turkiye and AIN Win Golds at Wuxi 2023 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series

136

World Taekwondo General Assembly Gathers for WT’s 50th Anniversary

AIN, Azerbaijan and Iran Take Last Golds in Wuxi

138

WT, Italian Demo Squads Team up to Light up Live Concert

240

Jaws Drop at Rome’s Piazza di Spagna as WT, Italian Demo Teams Get their Taekwondo on

244

High-Flying Demo Team Awe AIPS Sports Media Awards

245

WT Continental Union Presidents’ Messages

246

PART 3 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 1st THF Hope and Dreams Sports Festival Brings Baseball5, Taekwondo, into Refugee Camp

250

Refugee Athletes Strike Gold at Beirut Open and 5th Asian Cadet and Junior Kyorugi and Poomsae Championships

255

Azraq Black Belt Holders Pass 100

256

WT Observes International Day of Peace

257

THF Activities Praised in Paris at Olympic Refuge Foundation Board Meeting

258

Bach Urges IOC to Support Refugees, Praises Taekwondo for ‘Leading Role’

260

WT and THF Awarded at Peace and Sport Awards 2023

262

THF Donations Flow in from around the World

264

THF, French Taekwondo, Team up, Support Refugee Athletes

266

WT and THF Re-Commit on International Women’s Day

266

THF Board of Trustees Reviews 2023 Achievements at World Baseball Softball Confederation Headquarters

267

Opening Ceremony Held in Bishkek for WT-ADF Kyrgyzstan Cares Program

268

216

‘Care for those who Dare:’ Opening Ceremony of WT-ADF Cares Program, Pakistan

269

Half Century of WT Hailed at Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner

220

World Taekwondo Mourns passing of ex-Vice President Phillip Walter Coles

269

WT Chooses City of Chuncheon as Future HQ

224

Event Clendar

270

PART 1

TIT COMPETITIONS

We’re in! Para Taekwondo Confirmed for LA 2028 Paralympic Games

(Jan. 30, 2023) -Para Taekwondo’s place on the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games Sport Programme has been confirmed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board. Para Taekwondo’s inclusion will mark the third consecutive Paralympic Games the sport has been a part of following its debut at Tokyo 2020. After Para Taekwondo’s successful debut in Tokyo, the IPC announced that the sport’s medal events would be increased from six to 10 and the athlete quota increased from 72 to 120 for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Speaking following today’s announcement, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “We are delighted that Para Taekwondo will feature at a third Paralympic Games in a row in Los Angeles. The sport has come a very long way in a short space of time and has now cemented its place as an important Paralympic sport. It had a hugely successful debut in Tokyo which was reflected in the IPC’s decision to increase the number of medal events and athlete quota for Paris.” At Paris 2024, there will be five men’s and five women’s weight categories with a quota of 12 athletes per category. The men’s categories are: K44-58kg, K44-63kg, K44-70kg, K44-80kg, K44+80kg while the women’s categories are: K44-47kg, K44-52kg, K44-57kg, K4465kg and K44+65kg.

Garcia Quijano, Isakova, Announce Arrival on Big Stage; Yasur Retains Title VERACRUZ, Mexico ( Sept., 22, 2023)

Mexican Jessica Garcia Quijano’s long wait for a major title was finally over. Garcia Quijano announced her arrival on the big stage with her first World Championships in Veracruz as the Para Kyorugi events kicked off at the World Trade Centre on Friday. Garcia Quijano defeated Egyptian Salma Ali Abd Al Moneem Hassan, 3-1, in front of a vociferous crowd. The Mexican couldn’t have chosen a better place than Veracruz to clinch her first world title as her family and friends joined her in her celebration, highlighted by emotion and team spirit. “Today all my years of hard work finally paid off. I couldn’t be happier than this. This is my biggest medal ever and winning it in Mexico with all my loved ones and fans cheering for me made it even more special,” Garcia Quijano said. There were some upsets en route to the finals. The Egyptian had earlier got the better of top-ranked Tokyo 2020 silver Medalist Meryem Betul Cavdar in an upset 8-1 win.

Veracruz 2023 10TH WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

ESPINOZA CARRANZA’S RUN HALTED In the other women’s final of the day – the K44 women’s -47kg final – Uzbekistan’s second -ranked Ziyodakhon Isakova halted Peru’s golden girl Leonor Angelica Espinoza Carranza’s winning run to take her first World Championships title. In a match which saw the fighters displaying strong defensive technique and blocking, the Uzbek won against the Tokyo 2020 champion by superiority after scores were 0-0 in the regulation time. For Isakova, this was her first title of the season, winning it less than one year before the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “I am very happy to win the gold medal here. It’s a dream come true, and I want to keep working hard to qualify for the Paralympic Games. I am also focused on winning medals at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games,” said Isakova, who had four second-place finishes this year

WEN XIAO INSPIRES DESPITE DEFEAT Israel’s top fighter Asaf Yasur retained his Worlds title with a 13-8 defeat of Chinese Taipei’s Xiang Wen Xiao in a high-intensity K44 M– 58kg finals. Despite the final loss, Wen Xiao could return home with a big positive – he caused the biggest upset of the day shocking World Number 1 Ali Can Ozcan in the semi-finals by a final score of 31-18. A thrilled Yasur later said: “It was a difficult final. It was the last fight of the day after four matches. I am second title world champion; I have no words. It’s such a wonderful feeling. I love it.” “It’s everything that I wanted and everything that I am training for. Of course, the next goal and big one is the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. I will try my best to repeat this day in the Paralympics, it’s a big dream for me and I will do everything to achieve the gold medal,” said Yasur who won his third gold in 2023. Earlier the day kicked off with inspiring shows in the K41 M– 58 kg. Georgia’s third ranked George Hizanishvili defeated compatriot Goga Khakhalashvili 31-24 to take the gold medal and is expected to rise in the rankings following his success in Veracruz. 13

Veracruz 2023

Khalilov on Dream Run; Brazil Grabs Brace of Golds

10TH WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

VERACRUZ, Mexico (Sept., 23, 2023)

Azerbaijan’s Imamaddin Khalilov produced the performance of his dreams in Veracruz as he clinched the World Championships title days after his triumph at the Veracruz 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix. Khalilov defeated Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Alikulov in the K44 M-70 kg finals to clinch his fourth title of the year. “This year has been very special for me, and I am proud of myself with the results, and I want to thank my coach and everyone who supported me in my journey,” said Khalilov who finished ninth at the 2021 Worlds in Istanbul. The second-ranked Khalilov has already set his sights on the Paris 2024 Paralympic gold medal and is ready to work hard towards his goals.

BRAZIL REIGNS SUPREME Otherwise, the day belonged to Brazil as Silvana Mayara Cardoso Fernandes (K44 W-57kg) and Ana Carolina Silva de Moura (K44 W–65kg). Buoyed by a vociferous crowd, Cardoso Fernandes retained her title though not the way she would have wanted, as Gamze Gurdal retired mid-way owing to an injury to her finger. The top ranked Brazilian has had an amazing year having won in all four events she participated this year including the Veracruz 2023 WPT Grand-Prix. Later, Silva de Moura clinched her first World Championships title. In a category where a lot of surprises were witnessed in the day, Silva de Moura shocked topranked Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Silver Medalist Beth Munro to take the K44 W–65kg gold medal. GJESSING DISAPPOINTED Earlier, the fall of Paralympic champion and World Number Two Lisa Gjessing of Denmark to Elena Savinskaya, an AIN

athlete, made the K44 – W65kg field wide open with Munro the favourite. But fate had other plans. “I am very disappointed with the result today. I have worked hard in the past and there are so many people who are working with me and have lot of expectations. But I couldn’t live up to that – I will have to work harder,” said Gjessing. “You cannot be complacent in any match or opponent. I think I wasn’t too focused in the match and (Elena) read my game very well and she was very good in blocking,” said Gjessing observing that the women’s competitions have become tricky: anyone can win from among the top eight. Earlier, Italy’s Antonino Bossolo shocked Turkiye’s Mahmut Bozteke in a high-intensity K44 M- 63kg bout. Paralympic Champion Nathan Torquato and 2021 World Champion Bolor-Erdene Ganbat from Mongolia settled for the bronzes. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Siyazbek Daliyev emerged winner in the K41 M–71kg.

Veracruz 2023

10TH WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

GB’s Bush Back on Form with 2nd World Title; Truesdale Victorious Again VERACRUZ, Mexico (Sep 24., 2023)

The second-ranked Truesdale overcame local player Fernanda Vargas Fernandez 5-2 amid a cheering crowd to regain the Worlds title after six years.

Less than a year prior to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Great Britain’s Matt Bush returned to top form in style, clinching his second World Championships title in Veracruz. Bush shocked Team USA’s top-ranked Evan Medell 25-13 in the final of the K44 M+80kg to take the gold medal, days after he picked up a bronze at the Veracruz 2023 Grand-Prix. Those are solid results - the 34-year-old suffered a knee injury in 2021. An anterior cruciate ligament rupture two weeks before Tokyo, kept the Welsh-born fighter, frustratingly, out of action or a while. “It’s good to be back on the top after such a long layoff, back to consistently competing. It’s a sign that we’re progressing in the right way and my next goal is to keep improving,” said the 18th ranked Bush, who is expected to jump at least 10 places in the world rankings. “It was a great trip for the team, everyone did well, and the support staff were awesome,” he added.

SUCCESSFUL YEAR “I am really happy with my performance here in Mexico where I had two gold medals. I am so excited that I am the World Champion again,” Truesdale said. “It’s been a very successful year and I am looking ahead to qualify for Paris 2024 Paralympics. “This year, I think I had the opportunity to compete in a lot of competitions at the right time. IO want to continue the momentum to Paris 2024 and hopefully LA 2028,” she added. In the other matches of the day, Uzbekistan’s Asadbek Toshtemirov took the K44 M-80kg gold medal after Korea’s Jeong-hun Joo retired midway owing to an injury with the scores reading 2-0. Joo, the Tokyo 2020 bronze Medalist, had earlier surprised defending champion Nurlan Dombayev of Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals. Kazakhstan’s Malik Mukashev compensated, taking the gold in the K41 M-80kg event. A colourful ceremony closed the 10th World Championships.

SHOCKING EXIT Meanwhile, top-ranked Ivan Mikulic, who emerged victorious in the last three championships, made a shocking exit in the last-16 game. Before Bush’s victory, fellow fighter Amy Truesdale, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic bronze Medalist, had won the first gold medal for Great Britain. This also meant Truesdale clinched her second gold medal in a week following her success at the Veracruz 2023 Grand-Prix. 16

Emotional Return of Para Poomsae Players to World Championships

Veracruz 2023: Closing Ceremony

Veracruz 2023

10TH WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

VERACRUZ, Mexico (Sept., 21, 2023)

It was an emotional return of Para Poomsae athletes to the World Championships at the World Trade Centre Halls in Veracruz. Post-pandemic, it was the first time in four years that Para Poomsae competitions featured in the World Championships. The USA’s Justin Rankin and Senaoa Halelouich of Croatia were named the Best Male and Female Athletes of the Para Poomsae competition, respectively. “I have been working very hard and waited very long time to win this medal. It is a special one. This means a lot to me, and I want to thank my coaches and everyone who supported throughout out this journey,” said Rankin who emerged the winner in the male senior II A-class P53 division. The 37-year-old, who has waited to reach the World Championships for 30 years, also hoped to get to the Paralympic Games soon. Meanwhile, the 46-year-old Halelouich was overwhelmed to win her second World Championships title. For her, Para Poomsae has been her way of life for many years. “During the pandemic, she came to me everyday asking me to open the gymnasium. She was so persistent in training and returning to competitions. Her dedication and patience have been reasons for her success. She now wants to pass on her skills and technique to a younger athlete who can carry on her legacy,” said Halelouich’s coach and friend Danijel Bursac. “I am very happy today. This is special one,” added Halelouich.

World Para

Paris 2023

TAEKWONDO GRAND-PRIX

PARIS, France (Aug. 30, 2023)

Paris hosts season opener Paris, France, hosted the first Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix of the season, just one year ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Not only did the Para Taekwondoin get a flavour of the city ahead of the Paralympic Games, they got a sense of their competitors ahead of the all-important World Championships and regional championships. A total of 111 athletes from 30 countries, including Paralympic stars, and one Refugee Team, as well as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), competed in the one-day event which was refereed by 71 officials. Athletes competed across 10 K44 weight categories – five men and five women.

The

Medalists of the W-47kg and W-65kg were lucky enough to be presented their medals by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons. While thrilling fights stole the show in Paris, there were several surprising results with many athletes winning their first ever Grand-Prix gold medals.

BIGGEST UPSET

In the K44 M-63 kg, top-ranked Mahmut Bozteke from Turkiye was eliminated in the quarter-finals, opening the doors for eventual champion Antonino Bossolo of Italy. Bozteke had lost to Mexico’s Victor Manuel Palacios Tadeo, 7-9. Bossolo overcame Paralympic Champion Nathan Torquato from Brazil in the semi-finals, before defeating Mongolia’s World Champion Bolor-Erdene Ganbat for his first Para GP gold. With the win in the final, the Italian also avenged his defeat to the Mongolian in the World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge last week.

FIRST GP GOLD Croatia’s Ivan Mikulic continued his good form from Rotterdam, when he triumphed in the European Para Championships, and claimed his first GP gold. The third ranked athlete defeated world no. 1 Evan Medell from the USA in the K44 M+80kg final. Turkiye also had winners in Ali Can Ozcan and Fatih Celik. who emerged victorious in the K44 M-58kg and M-70 kg, respectively. World Number One Juan Diego Lopez Garcia of Mexico was missing from the starting field, which opened up the M-70kg division. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Juan Eduardo Samorano put up a great show, but was defeated by Celic in the final. This was also Celic’s first GP gold in Paris 2023. Korea’s Jeong-hun Joo also earned his first GP gold in the K44 M-80kg class, and should make a jump in the world rankings.

GJESSING, TRUESDALE EMERGE WINNERS In the women’s division, Denmark’s Lisa Gjessing claimed her first gold Para GP gold medal overcoming top-ranked Beth Munro of Great Britain in the K44 W-65kg. Munro’s fellow Brit Amy Truesdale received a boost ahead of the Worlds, beating rival and Paralympic Champion Guljonoy Naimova in the K44 W+65kg finals. Brazil shone with two gold medals thanks to the efforts of Silvana Mayara Cardoso (K44 W-57kg) and Maria Eduarda Machado Stumpf, who emerged the surprise winner in the K44 W-52kg. The fourth ranked Machado Stumpf, who defeated Mongolia’s Surenjav Ulambayar in the final, had shocked Turkiye’s Meryem Betul Cavdar in the semis. Among other winners were Mexico’s Claudia Romero, who pulled of a convincing win in the K44 W–47kg.

World Para Paris 2023

TAEKWONDO GRAND-PRIX

IPC President Joins Paris 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix

World Para Paris 2023

TAEKWONDO GRAND-PRIX

WATCH VIDEOS

PARIS, France (Aug. 31, 2023)

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons was in attendance to watch the world’s best Para Taekwondo athletes compete in the finals of the Paris 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix. A total of 111 athletes from 30 countries and one Refugee Team as well as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) competed in the one-day event, which was refereed by 71 officials. Athletes competed across 10 K44 weight categories – five men and five women. The Medalists of the W-47kg and W-65kg were presented their medals by Parsons. Speaking at the Grand-Prix, Parsons said: “It is amazing to be here, with just one year to go until the Paralympic Games. The feeling of anticipation is strong, but we still have a lot of work to do. These Games are going to be spectacular. Paralympic sport is stronger than ever before. We have a combination of incredible venues here, very close to iconic landmarks. Spectators will be back, so the atmosphere will be great and the sport itself will be excellent. I can’t wait for these Games to happen.” Commenting on the development of Para Taekwon-

do and the sport’s Paralympic debut in Tokyo, Parsons added: “Since Taekwondo was bidding to enter the Paralympic Games as a sport, I was already impressed with the level of the sport and the commitment of the International Federation to provide the best infrastructure for the sport. This is not only to get to the Paralympic Games, but to evolve as well. It was an incredible debut in Tokyo. I was present for two of the competition days and I was absolutely impressed. The positive aspect is that the International Federation is not relying solely on their success in Tokyo. Competitions of the highest possible standard are taking place around the world. Their delivery of services to the athletes and the development programs are also incredible. We are very impressed with the short period that we have been working with World Taekwondo.” During the day’s competition, Parsons met with Refugee Athlete Zakia Khudadadi and expressed his support to the European Champion. He also took the time to pose for photographs with appreciative athletes - many wearing signature Parisian berets.

Veracruz 2023 WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO GRAND-PRIX

Meanwhile, Peru’s Paralympic Champion Leonor Angelica Espinoza Carranza returned to winning ways just on time, recording her first victory since her Tokyo 2020 Games gold. Espinoza Carranza shocked Mexico’s top-ranked Claudia Romero in the K44 W-47kg final, much to the disappointment of roaring crowds. “It’s a very proud moment for me to win the gold; I have played very close matches against Mexico’s Claudia. After Tokyo 2020 Paralympic, this is a first victory so it’s special and this will motivate me to go for gold at the Worlds,” an elated Espinoza Carranza said. Refugee Athlete Zakia Khudadadi settled for the bronze.

TWO GOLDS FOR GREAT BRITAIN In other events, Great Britain’s Beth Munro claimed her first Grand-Prix gold of the season and expressed her desire to stay on top. “I am very happy to win the gold at the Grand-Prix in Veracruz today. Hopefully I will win the gold at the World Championships,” said Munro who defeated her closest rival and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Champion Lisa Gjessing of Denmark with a final score of 9-7 in the K44 W-65kg final. Munro ‘s sights are set on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Another Brit, Amy Truesdale, emerged winner too but had to overcome a stern challenge from emerging Morrocan athlete Rajae Akermach in the K44 W+65 kg final. Akermach, in fact, had earlier surprised Brazil’s Paralympic Medalist Debora Menezes in the quarter-finals before making her first final of a Grand-Prix. “After a long time, I am very happy with my performance after changes in my training. It’s a proud moment for me to reach the finals,” said Akermach, who lives and trains in Germany under the guidance of Coach Aziz Acharki.

Salma grabs Egypt’s first gold in a day of upsets at Veracruz VERACRUZ, Mexico (Sept. 19, 2023)

The Veracruz 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix got off to a dazzling start at the World Trade Centre on Wednesday marked by upset wins, compelling comebacks, and historic firsttime victories. Much like the venue set-up that amazed everyone, athletes put on incredible shows as Medalists were decided in 10 weight categories of the K44 event. Among the big winners was Salma Ali Abd Al Moneem Hassan who claimed Egypt’s first ever gold medal at a Grand-Prix when she defeated Mongolia’s Surenjav Ulambayar by a narrow 3-2 margin in the K44 W–54kg finals. Even before the final, the Egyptian had created a stir, upsetting Mexico’s top-ranked Jessica Garcia Quijano with a final score of 2-0.

RETURN TO WINNING WAYS “I am very happy to get the gold medal. It’s also the first ever Grand-Prix gold in Africa. My goal next is to win the World Championships and the Paralympics gold medals,” said the fifth-ranked Ali Abd Moneem Hassan who has been practising Para Taekwondo since 2019. 26

TAIYUAN 2023

WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO GRAND-PRIX

Asian Stars in Focus at Taiyuan World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix TAIYUAN, China (Oct. 9, 2023)

Less than two weeks ahead of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, the Taiyuan 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix kicked off. Asian stars were in focus in the Chinese city of Taiyuan as they made their final adjustments ahead of the Asian Para Games. Among those who impressed in the one-day event were Uzbekistan’s Naimova Guljonoy. In the K44 W+65kg, the world number two halted the run of Great Britain’s Amy Truesdale, which included back-to-back titles at Veracruz 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix and World Championships. In the K44 W- 52kg, Mongolia’s Surenjav Ulambayar, the bronze Medalist at the Veracruz 2023 Worlds, raised her position to the top - shocking Paralympic Silver Medalist Cavdar Meryem Betul from Turkiye in the final. Ulambayar had showed her top form in the round of eight, surprising Mexican World Champion Jessica Garcia Quijano by a big margin, 25-2. Meanwhile, China’s Li Yujie pulled off a morale-boosting victory ahead of the all-important Hangzhou 2022 Games finishing on top of the K44 W-57kg. The Chinese saw off France’s Sophie Caverzan 26-2. In men’s events, Uzbekistan’s World Champion Asadbek Toshtemirov had to settle for silver, ending second to Azerbaijan’s Abulfaz Abuzarli in the K44 M-80kg. Israel’s Asaf Yasur (K44 M-58kg) continued his winning momentum as did Great Britain’s Matt Bush (K44 M+80kg) after their successes in Veracruz, Mexico.

Among others who returned to the top were Mexico’s Claudia Romero (K44 W-47kg), Great Britain’s Beth Munro (K44 W-65kg), Turkiye’s Fatih Celik (K44 M-70kg) and Mahmut Bozteke (K44 M -63kg). Bozteke overcame a strong Asian challenge with Mongolian Bolor-Erdene Ganbat taking the silver followed by China’s Zheyi Ni and Uzbelistan’s Zukhriddin Tokhirov in the K44 M-63kg.

Manchester 2023 World Para Taekwondo GP Final MANCHESTER, UK (Dec. 1, 2023)

not very good, I managed a bronze there. Then I followed up with three gold medals, including one at the Asian Para Games, which was a crucial one as the it gave me 100 ranking points,” said the Iranian star who also had a gold medal at the President’s Cup in Jordan. “And finally, I am very happy to take my first gold at the Grand-Prix Finals,” added a relieved Pourrahnama. First Birthday Gift Pourrahnama was joined on the top of the podium by Maryam Abdollahpour, who clinched her second Grand-Prix final title and first gold medal at the Manchester 2023 GP Finals. “Today I got my second; I hope I can repeat my gold medal performance at the Paralympics. This medal is my first present for my birthday. This medal is also for the women Para-Taekwondo players of Iran,” said Abdollahpour who beat Peru’s Paralympic Champion Angelica Espinoza Leonor with a convincing 15-5 scoreline in the K44 W-47kg. Mexican World Number One Claudia Romero, who settled for the bronze, was later named

Confident Yasur Israel’s Asaf Yasur (K44 M-58kg) continued his winning momentum adding one more Grand-Prix gold to a successful year that also granted him a world championships title. Yasur defeated France’s Bopha Kong by a convincing margin 41-18 in the final, after overcoming a tough challenge from Chinese Taipei’s Xiang Wen Xiao in the semi-finals 31-27. “Sometimes the fight doesn’t go as we expect, so I just keep going, just keep scoring, listen to my coach, and never quit. I knew I was going to win it. I waited for the right opportunity to attack,” said the 23-year-old Yasur.

MANCHESTER 2023 WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO GRAND-PRIX FINAL

The Manchester 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix Final was about dominance, resilience and setting new goals in the final GP of the year. There were upsets too, with several fighters tumbling to the packed schedule of the 2023 season, while others grabbed the chance of ending the year on a high note. The Grand-Prix Final was graced by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue and International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons, who went on to praise the quality and competitiveness of the event and the players’ skills and techniques. Iran dominated the final event of the season clinching four gold medals, led by their Asian Para Games Champion Mahdi Pourrahnama who won his first Grand-Prix Finals gold in Manchester. Pourrahnama defeated Uzbekistan’s Alikulov Javokhirm, 17-10, to win the K44 M–70kg final, also his first Grand-Prix title of the season. “This victory was very important for me as I want to qualify for the Paralympics. I was away from competition for about a year and returned only at the European Championships – it was

the Best Female Player of the Year at the World Taekwondo Gala Awards. Later Alireza Bakht (K44 M-80kg) and Hamed Haghshenas (K44 M+80kg) followed suit, adding two more golds to Iran’s medal tally. Bakht claimed his second Grand-Prix Finals title, shocking Korea’s Jeong-hun Joo 2918 in the K44 men -80kg. Haghshenas put up a powerful show, winning the final with a one-sided 17-2 victory.

In the K44 M-63kg, Mongolia’s Bolor-Erdene Ganbat failed to maintain his Asian Para Games golden show, settling for a silver medal in Manchester. Ganbat went down to Turkiye’s Mahmut Bozteke, 24-12. Italy’s Antonino Bossolo, who later went on to take the Best Para Taekwondo Player Award, settled for the bronze medal.

Stumpf Grabs Gold for Brazil Maria Eduarda Machado Stumpf claimed the only gold medal for Brazil in the K44 W-52kg, after favourites Silvana Mayara Cardoso (K44 W-57kg) and Ana Carolina Silva de Moura (K44 W-65kg) managed the bronze medals in their respective categories. Machado Stumpf overcame Egypt’s emerging star Salma Ali, who went on to win the first Grand-Prix gold for the nation in Veracruz, 7-4 in the K44 W-52kg final. “I am very happy and proud to win the gold in the last event of the season. This gold is a special one as this is for my country and for my team. My next goal is winning a place at the Paralympic Games,” she said. Munro’s compatriot Amy Truesdale,

also a Paralympic Medalist, had to settle for the silver in the K44 W+65kg. Truesdale went down to Paralympic champion Guljonoy Naimova of Uzbekistan who rallied from two points down to win the fight 11-10. China’s Yujie Li, the Asian Para Games bronze Medalist, continued her solid run this year to win the K44 W–57kg. She pulled off a surprise win over Brazil’s Paralympic Medalist and world no. 1 Silvana Mayara Cardoso Fernandes in the semi-finals 24-21, before she beat Turkiye’s Gamze Gurdal 17-8 in the final. “I had lost to her (Silvana) in the quarter-finals at the World Championships by a close margin so I was motivated to change the result. I am very happy to end the year on a high,” said a motivated Li, looking ahead to the new season.

MANCHESTER 2023 WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO GRAND-PRIX FINAL

Home Glory for Munro Home player Beth Munro claimed the only gold for the hosts on the day. The Liverpool-based fighter continued her amazing run this year – having made all the finals – defeating Elena Savinskaya, the only Individual Neutral Athlete(AIN) in the event. “I am very excited in Manchester at the GP Finals. It was the last competition of the year and a very important one, with 100 points towards Paris 2024. It was a fantastic day on my home soil with my family here supporting me, getting me through. Coming away with a gold medal here and hopefully next year - with a lot of training and a little bit more learning - I will get the gold in Paris as well,” said Munro, adding that the year 2023 had been great for her considering that she has reached the final of all the events she had competed in. Munro ended the season with her eighth gold medal and first in a GrandPrix finals.

MANCHESTER

IPC PRESIDENT ATTENDS MANCHESTER 2023 WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO GRAND-PRIX FINAL

WATCH VIDEOS

MANCHESTER, UK (Dec. 1, 2023)

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons attended the Manchester 2023 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix Final to witness the world’s best Para Taekwondo athletes in action. A total of 76 athletes from 27 countries, as well as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), competed in the one-day event at the Manchester Regional Arena, refereed

by 90 officials. The athletes competed across five women’s and five men’s K44 weight categories. During the competition, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue met with Parsons to discuss the future development of Para Taekwondo and the exciting year ahead, with the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games fast approaching.

Rotterdam 2023

Refugee Athlete Zakia Khudadadi Grabs Gold, Sends Message, in Rotterdam

European Para Championships ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (Aug. 14-16, 2023)

One year ahead of the Paralympic Games, action was heated as the Para Taekwondo Competition of the European Para Championships took place in Rotterdam over three days, featuring 12 categories.

Medalists by Weight Category DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NPC CODE

14 AUG 2023

K44 Women -47kg

Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze

KHUDADADI Zakia EKINCI Nurcihan MARCHUK Viktoriia CHACHIBAIA Lia OZCAN Ali can YASUR Asaf ZEYNALOV Sabir MARTIN Joel CAVDAR Meryem betul FATALIYEVA Royala JAPARIDZE Ana FORSYTHE Keira GURDAL Gamze MICEV Marija SOPHIE Caverzan LYPETSKA Yuliya KHIZANISHVILI George KHAKHALASHVILI Goga BOZTEKE Mahmut MILAD Adnan SHIKHALIYEV Amin MEGRELISHVILI Sandro MUNRO Beth OZDAG Lutfiye ER Secil KHALILOV Imamaddin CELIK Fatih NIKOLADZE Giorgi KESICKI Maciej SLEPTSOV Andrei GELA Zarkua ABUZARLI Abulfaz SPAJIC Nikola ATALAY Oktay LANE Joseph RASIC Jelena TRUESDALE Amy SANTIAGO MORENO Dalia MIKULIC Ivan BUSH Matt MAKADZE David SARAC Mehmet sami

RTA TUR UKR GEO TUR ISR AZE ESP TUR AZE GEO GBR TUR SRB FRA UKR GEO GEO TUR ISR AZE GEO GBR TUR TUR AZE TUR GEO POL GEO GEO AZE SRB TUR GBR SRB GBR ESP CRO GBR GEO TUR

K44 Men -58kg

K44 Women -52kg

15 AUG 2023

K44 Women -57kg

K41 Men -63kg K44 Men -63kg

K44 Women -65kg

K44 Men -70kg

16 AUG 2023

K41 Men -80kg K44 Men -80kg

K44 Women +65kg

K44 Men +80kg

A refugee athlete has beaten all odds to step onto the top spot on the podium in Rotterdam. Zakia Khudadadi has endured a long and difficult journey. It included fleeing Afghanistan to find a new home in France and undertaking the tough training of an elite-level fighter. Now, things are paying off. “I’m so happy. For me, the feeling is like a Paralympic medal because it’s the first gold medal I’ve won. My feeling is like a star,” said an ecstatic Khudadadi, who came from behind to win the gold medal bout against Turkiye’s Nurcihan Ekinci in extra time. Khudadadi, who currently resides and trains in Paris, France, expressed her gratitude to France, the French Taekwondo Federation and especially her coach Haby Niare for pushing her every day and passing on positive energy. “I will continue to compete for the refugee team in the next competitions, because I don’t have a French passport,” she said. “I’m happy to just continue for a Paralympic medal, because for me it’s important.” There is another motivation. Winning medals is “a message for every woman in Afghanistan,” she said. The 24-year-old Para Taekwondo athlete admitted that her memories of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics weren’t great, but she is looking forward to happy moments in Paris. “It’s a little hard for me to speak about Tokyo. It broke my heart. I left my country, my home… “ she broke down and wept before recovering. “Now, I’m continuing for every competition, more medals: I’m focused on a medal at the Paralympic Games,” she said. “In Tokyo, I had a chance, but it’s finished. Now, I’m going for the gold medal for Afghanistan, for the refugee team. I will continue strong for Paris 2024.”

The 4th Asian Para Games Hangzhou Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre 萧山瓜沥文化体育中心

Taekwondo 跆拳道

Para Taekwondo makes high-impact debut Medallists By WEIGHT CATEGORIES

HANGZHOU, China (Oct. 26, 2023)

奖牌获得者（按级别）

As of WED 25 OCT 2023 After 10 of 10 WEIGHT CATEGORIES Event

Date

Medal

Name

Gold XIAO Xiang-wen Silver TANAKA Mitsuya Bronze KAENKHAM Thanwa Bronze MUKHTOROV Sanjarbek Gold GANBAT Bolor-erdene Silver SADEGHIANPOUR Saeid Men's K44 -63kg 24 OCT 2023 Bronze SOTTHISET Tanapan Bronze HAYDAROV Kudratjon Gold POURRAHNAMAAHMADGOURABI Mahdi Silver CHEN Shihe Men's K44 -70kg 24 OCT 2023 Bronze KUDO Shunsuke Bronze ALIKULOV Javokhir Gold JOO Jeonghun Silver BAKHT Alireza Men's K44 -80kg 25 OCT 2023 Bronze DOMBAYEV Nurlan Bronze TOSHTEMIROV Asadbek Gold HAGHSHENAS Hamed Silver OMIRALI Nyshan Men's K44 +80kg 25 OCT 2023 Bronze GARIPOLLAYEV Alisher Bronze ANVAROV Asadbek Gold PHUANGKITCHA Khwansuda Silver ISAKOVA Ziyodakhov Women's K44 -47kg 23 OCT 2023 Bronze ARUNA Championships, bounced back and won her first major title Bronze ABDOLLAHPOUR Deroei Maryam Gold SHAO Qian in Hangzhou. Silver ULAMBAYAR Surenjav K44 -52kg 23 OCT was 2023 a great opportuSheWomen's emphasised how these Games Bronze JAVADI Narges Bronze nity to increase awareness about the sport which was intro-HOSSEINI Mahdiyeh Sadat Gold EBRAHIMI Roza duced to the Paralympic Games only in Tokyo 2020. Silver DOSMALOVA Kamilya Women's K44 -57kg 24 OCT 2023 “Taekwondo is not a well-known sport...theBronze Asian ParaLI Yujie Bronze GOVERDHAN Palesha Games are a wonderful opportunity to increaseGold awarenessYAO Yinan Silvercan also CHAMSOURAKI Romina and letWomen's everyone know that people with2023 a disability K44 -65kg 24 OCT Bronze SALIMGEREEVA Mariam take part,” she said. Bronze KIM Wonseon GoldYao (K44 NAIMOVA Guljonoy Another gold Medalist for China was Yinan Silver MIRZAEI Leila Women's K44Thailand’s +65kg 25 OCT 2023 W-65kg) while Khwansuda Phuangkitcha (K44 Bronze TANG Qi Bronze PAN Lianhua W-47kg) clinched the first gold medal of the competition. Men's K44 -58kg

History was made when Para Taekwondo made its debut at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, with 10 categories being fought for. Hometown favourite Shao Qian waited for the right moment and place to return to her winning ways as she defeated Surenjav Ulambayar of Mongolia for the K44 W-52kg gold in front of a vociferous crowd that filled the stands of the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre. “I feel very excited. I’m very happy to be able to join Para Taekwondo for its premier show at the Asian Para Games,” she said. “I believe this is a great opportunity for people to see our strength, for people to see the fights that we have.” The Chinese fighter, who admitted that she had a “low point” having struggled with her performance at the World 38

NPC Code

23 OCT 2023

The Thai fighter surprised favourite Ziyodakhov Isakova of Uzbekistan. Nepal won its first international medal in Para Taekwondo when Bahrain 2021 Asian Youth Para Games Champion Palesha Goverdhan took bronze in the K44 W-57kg Several others who recorded their first win this year included Iran’s Roza Ebrahimi, who claimed the K44 W-57kg, defeating higher ranked Kamilya Dosmalova of Kazakhstan in the finals. Iran took four golds. Among other expected winners were: Mongolia’s Bolor-Erdene Ganbat (K44 M-63kg), Korea’s Jeong-hun Joo (K44 M-80kg), Xiang-wen Xiao of Chinese Taipei (K44Timing M- and Results provided by CSIC 1 Report Created WED 25 OCT 2023 17:50 58kg) TKW-------------------------------_93 and Uzbek Guljonoy Naimova (K44 W+65kg).

TPE JPN THA UZB MGL IRI THA UZB IRI CHN JPN UZB KOR EVENT IRI KAZ Men’s K44 -58kg UZB IRI KAZ KAZ Men’s K44 -63kg UZB THA UZB IND IRI Men’s K44 -70kg CHN MGL IRI IRI IRI Men’s K44 -80kg KAZ CHN NEP CHN IRI Men’s K44 +80kg KAZ KOR UZB IRI Women’s K44 -47kg CHN CHN

Medalists by Weight Category DATE

23 OCT 2023

24 OCT 2023

25 OCT 2023

23 OCT 2023

Women’s K44 -52kg

24 OCT 2023

Women’s K44 -57kg

Women’s K44 -65kg

25 OCT 2023

Women’s K44 +65kg

Page 1/1

MEDAL

NAME

NPC CODE

Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze

XIAO Xiang-wen TANAKA Mitsuya KAENKHAM Thanwa MUKKTOROV Sanjarbek GANBAT Bolor-erdene SADEGHIANPOUR Saeid SOTTHISET Tanapan HAYDAROV Kudratjon POURRAHNAMAAHMADGOURABI Mahdi CHEN Shihe KUDO Shunsuke ALIKULOV Javokhir JOO Jeonghun BAKHT Alireza DOMBAYEV Nurlan TOSHTEMIROV Asadbek HAGHSHENAS Hamed OMIRALI Nyshan GARIPOLLAYEV Alisher ANVAROV Asadbek PHUANGKITCHA Khwansuda ISAKOVA Ziyodakhov ARUNA ABDOLLAHPOUR Deroei Maryam SHAO Qian ULAMBAYAR Surenjav JAVADI Narges HOSSEINI Mahdiyeh Sadat EBRAHIMI Roza DOSMALOVA Kamilya LI Yujie GOVERDHAN Palesha YAO Yinan CHAMSOURAKI Romina SALIMGEREEVA Mariam KIM Wonseon NAIMOVA Guljonoy MIRZAEI Geila TANG Qi PAN Lianhua

TPE JPN THA UZB MGL IRI THA UZB IRI CHN JPN UZB KOR IRI KAZ UZB IRI KAZ KAZ UZB THA UZB IND IRI CHN MGL IRI IRI IRI KAZ CHN NEP CHN IRI KAZ KOR UZB IRI CHN CHN 39

Golds for Costa Rica, Mexico and US on Last Day of Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games SANTIAGO, Chile (Nov. 23-25, 2023)

The Para Taekwondo competition of the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games took place over a three day run. With the Paralympics set for Paris in 2024, the competition was predictably fierce. Heading the gold medal table was Brazil. In a wide medal distribution, other countries that won victories in Santiago were Argentina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and USA. One returning champ was elated with her success at the event. “It wasn’t easy to get to Santiago, much less defend my gold, but with determination, hard work, and discipline, goals can be achieved. I am very excited,” said Brazil’s Silvana Cardoso of the K44 W-57kg, who had also won gold at Lima 2019.

Para taekwondo

Centro de Deportes de Contacto

Para taekwondo

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Para Taekwondo Medallists by Weight Category Medallistas por categoría de peso As of SAT 25 NOV 2023 at 18:53

After 10 of 10 events Event

Date Medal

Name

NPC Code

Medalists by Weight Category Men's -58kg

23 NOV 2023 Gold Silver Bronze Bronze DATE MEDAL EVENT Men's -63kg 24 NOV 2023 Gold Silver Gold Men’s -58kg 23 NOV 2023 Bronze Silver Bronze Bronze Men's -70kg 24 NOV 2023 Gold Bronze Silver Gold Men’s -63kg 24 NOV 2023 Bronze Silver Bronze Men's -80kg 25 NOV 2023 Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Men’s -70kg Bronze Silver Men's +80kg 25 NOV 2023 Gold Bronze Silver Bronze Bronze Bronze Gold Men’s -80kg 25 NOV 2023 Women's -47kg 23 NOV 2023 Gold Silver Silver Bronze Bronze Bronze Bronze Women's -52kg Men’s +80kg 23 NOV 2023 Gold Gold Silver Silver Bronze Bronze Women's -57kg 24 NOV 2023 Gold Bronze Silver Gold Women’s -47kg 23 NOV 2023 Bronze Silver Bronze Women's -65kg 24 NOV 2023 Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Women’s -52kg Bronze

24 NOV 2023

Women’s -57kg

Women’s -65kg

TKW-------------------------------_93 2.0

25 NOV 2023

Women’s +65kg

Silver Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Bronze

MEX MARQUES Fabricio BRA MEJÍA Gersson GUA DO NASCIMENTO Cicero BRA NAME SODARIO Nathan BRA CASTRO Geraldo DOM TORRES Ivan LIBORIO Jair MARQUES Fabricio MEX MAYOR Marco CUB MEJÍA Gersson SAMORANO Juan ARG DO NASCIMENTO Cicero SUAREZ Mitchel CUB COELHO CarlosSODARIO Nathan BRA CANO Ehécatl CASTRO Geraldo MEX MOLINA Andres LIBORIO Jair CRC NAJERA Luis MEX MAYOR Marco LOONSTRA Elliott ARU SAMORANO Juan LOPES Claro BRA SUAREZ Mitchel MEDELL Evan USA MORAES Lucas COELHO Carlos BRA PAULO Pedro CANO Ehécatl BRA FIGUEREO Julio MOLINA Andres DOM ESPINOZA Leonor PER NAJERA Luis ROMERO Claudia MEX LOONSTRA Elliott CORREIA Teresinha BRA LOPES Claro RODRÍGUEZ Lilisbet CUB MACHADO MariaMEDELL Evan BRA GARCIA Jessica MORAES Lucas MEX NEVES Cristhiane BRA PAULO Pedro CARDOSO Silvana BRA FIGUEREO Julio KOYAMA Elsa MEX ESPINOZA Leonor MORALES Valeria VEN LOPES Larissa ROMERO Claudia BRA SILVA Ana BRA CORREIA Teresinha MARTINEZ Daniela MEX RODRÍGUEZ Lilisbet FUENTES Constanza CHI MACHADO Maria RAMOS Leylianne BRA TORRES Ivan

GARCIA Jessica NEVES Cristhiane CARDOSO Silvana KOYAMA Elsa MORALES Valeria LOPES Larissa SILVA Ana MARTINEZ Daniela FUENTES Constanza RAMOS Leylianne Sat, 25 Nov 2023 18:53:03 VARGAS Fernanda BEZERRA Debora MACEDO Camila MONTES DE OCA Lidia

As of SAT 25 NOV 2023 at 18:53 NPC CODE

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Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

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Super Kickers Dazzle at Opening Ceremony of Baku 2023 Worlds BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 29, 2023)

A breathless opening ceremony set the stage this evening for the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships. It showcased the best of Taekwondo and Azeri culture to thousands of local fans and VIP guests. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Ilham Aliyev joined World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue, Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, IOC Vice President Ser Miang Ng, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Farid Gayibov, and President of Azerbaijan Taekwondo Federation Kamaladdin Heydarov in the audience to enjoy the show. The ceremony began with the traditional parade of the flags of the competing nations before the flags of World Taekwondo and Azerbaijan were unveiled. Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, World Taekwondo President Choue said: “It is my great pleasure to be back in Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire, for the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships! “To all athletes, I wish you the very best over the next seven days. Let’s show the world the elegance and dynamism of Taekwondo. Enjoy every moment here in Baku, and bring with you the happiest memories and also remember that peace is more precious than triumph. “And finally to the citizens of Azerbaijan, please show your passionate support to the athletes and officials everyday. Thank you for making the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships truly memorable and one of the best ever.” A video of WT’s 50th anniversary was played, the Natiq Rhythm Group got the crowd onto their feet with a dramatic and powerful musical demonstration before local star Röya Ayxan performed hit songs. The evening ended with the award-winning World Taekwondo Demonstration Team delivering their trademark acrobatic and gravity-defying performance - with a touch of local Azeri flavour.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

Elections Held for Athletes’ Committee BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 3, 2023)

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Head of Team Meeting Held ahead of Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

The Head of Team meeting was held today in the Crystal Hall Conference Hall ahead of the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships. The meeting was attended by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue, World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, Azerbaijan Taekwondo Federation Vice President Naghi Safarov and six World Taekwondo Vice Presidents: Aicha Garad Ali, Kyuseok Lee, Juan Manuel Delgado, Maria Rosario Borello Castillo, Issaka Ide and John Kotsifas. The World Championships features athletes from 144 countries plus a Refugee Team competing across 16 weight categories. World Taekwondo President Choue said: “This year’s World Taekwondo Championships will be particularly special as it coincides with our 50th founding anniversary.

“The World Championships will also see refugee athletes compete for the first time, with many of the participating refugee athletes being IOC scholarship holders. Yehya Al Ghotani will also be the first athlete from the Taekwondo Humanitarian Centre in the Azraq Refugee Camp to participate at a World Championships. “To mark our 50th anniversary we will host a World Taekwondo Golden Jubilee Gala where we will honour the 17 founding Member National Associations who attended the first General Assembly in 1973. We will also award the best male and female athletes from each Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Taekwondo has featured in since Sydney 2000. A press conference was also held and was attended by Azerbaijani athletes Farida Azizova and Aliaskar Aliev and Azerbaijan Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport Ms. Mariana Vasileva.

Rio 2016 Olympic Champion Cheick Cisse (Cote d’Ivoire), three-time World Champion Dae-hoon Lee (Korea), two-time Olympic and World Champion Jingyu Wu (China) and Pan American silver Medalist Katherine Alvarado (Costa Rica) were today elected to the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Committee for the 2023-2027 term. The athletes were elected by their peers with all registered athletes at the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships entitled to two votes each (one vote for a candidate of each gender). More than 1,600 votes were cast. Jingyu Wu previously served on the committee and will now serve for a new term. The three newly elected members will replace outgoing members Benjamin Haines (Great Britain), and chairs Nikita Glasnovic (Croatia) and Stephen Lambdin (USA). The four members will join Jaouad Achab (Belgium) and Valeria Santos (Brazil) who were elected at last year’s World Championships in Guadalajara. The new chairs will be decided by the six members of the Athletes’ Committee. The chairs will serve as ex-officio members on the World Taekwondo Council, ensuring that the athlete voice is represented at the highest level within the federation.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 29, 2023)

Hungary and Great Britain finished the first day of the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships with the top honours as Luana Marton won gold in the W-57kg and Bradley Sinden took gold in the M-68kg. Marton started the day as a relative underdog; outside of the top 10 seeds in her category and having never competed in a senior World Championships. However, the 17-year-old did not let this faze her and upset the odds to win her first World title. The silver medal went to Chinese Taipei’s Chia‐Ling Lo and bronze medals went to Maria Clara Pacheco of Brazil and Hatice Kubra Ilgun of Turkiye. In the M-68kg it was a different story with top seed Sinden progressing through the rounds to win gold in commanding style. The silver medal went to Ho-jun Jin of Korea and bronzes were won by Uzbekistan’s Ulugbek Rashitov and Matin Rezaei of Iran.

The final of the W-57kg drew Marton against Chinese Taipei’s -57kg Tokyo 2020 Gold Medalist Chia‐ Ling Lo. Lo went into the final brimming with confidence, having defeated two-time Olympic Champion Jade Jones and Tokyo 2020 Bronze Medalist Hatice Kubra Ilgun on the way to the final. Lo boasts a 10cm height and leg advantage over Marton, but it was the teenage Hungarian who landed the first points with a kick to the body which was enough to win the round 2-0. Within seconds of the second round, Lo managed what she had failed to do in the first round and landed a kick to the body, only for Marton to respond immediately with a body kick of her own. A second body kick gave Marton a 4-2 advantage going into the last minute of the round. Lo pushed for points but could not break down Marton’s defence and the Hungarian won the round 4-3 to take the gold medal. En route to the final, Marton had defeated Maria Clara Pacheco of Brazil in a low-scoring two-round match. In the second semi-final it looked as though Turkiye’s experienced Ilgun would advance after she beat Lo relatively comfortably in the first round. But Lo fought back strongly in the second and third rounds to win the match. 46

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Day.1

Great Britain, Hungary Grab Golds on Day 1 in Baku

The M-68kg final saw Sinden face Korea’s number six seed and Manchester 2022 -68kg World Taekwondo Grand-Prix gold Medalist Ho-jun Jin. Sinden broke the deadlock in the opening round with a kick to the head but failed to keep his balance immediately conceding a gamjeom to Jin. Another gamjeom for Sinden brought the scores within one point, but the Briton was able to hold on to win the first round 3-2. The second round saw both fighters come out and attack which was reflected in a higher-scoring round. A flurry of kicks to the body gave Sinden a four-point lead which he was able to grow as he precisely picked off Jin with counter kicks to the body. Sinden won the round with a convincing score of 16-9. Sinden had met 17-year-old Matin Rezaei of Iran in the semis; his experience shone through as he recorded a commanding 2-0 victory. In the second of the semi-finals, Tokyo 2020 gold Medalist Ulugbek Rashitov was just three seconds away from booking his place in the final when Jin landed a kick to the body to take the match to a third round. In the final round, Rashitov was again less than 10 seconds away from the win when again Jin landed a kick to the body to win the round and match 2:1.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 30, 2023)

The second day of the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships saw next year’s Olympic Games hosts, France, claim two golds through Magda Wiet Henin in the W-67kg and Althéa Laurin in the W-73kg, while Korea’s Jun‐seo Bae won the M-58kg gold. Wiet Henin came into the competition on strong form having won two golds and a bronze medal at last year’s Grand-Prix. However, she had fallen just short of medals at last year’s World Championships in Guadalajara and successfully put that right this time round. The silver went to number one seed Julyana Al‐Sadeq of Jordan and the bronze medals were won by two-time Olympic bronze Medalist Ruth Gbagbi of Cote d’Ivoire and Norway’s Mari Romundset Nilsen. Bae is no stranger to World Championships medals having won gold in 2019 in Manchester and bronze last year in Guadalajara. Here in Baku he was back to his 2019 best losing just one round on the way to gold. Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Georgii Gurtsiev won the silver and bronze medals were shared by Jordan’s Mahmoud Altaryreh and Spain’s Adrian Vicente Yunta. Tokyo 2020 Bronze Medalist Laurin made it a night to remember for the French team as she won the country’s second gold of the evening. Just like her compatriot Wiet Henin she had finished fifth in Guadalajara - and just like Wiet Henin she turned that fifth to first in Baku. Britain’s Rebecca McGowan also improved on her third place finish in Guadalajara to win silver here and the bronze medals went to Tokyo 2020 Gold Medalist Matea Jelic of Croatia and AIN Polina Khan.

The first final of the evening brought together the top two seeds Al‐Sadeq of -67kg Jordan and France’s Wiet Henin in the W-67kg. Wiet Henin was the first to put points on the board with two front kicks to take a 4-0 lead. Al‐Sadeq attempted a number of spinning kicks to the head but Wiet Henin’s quick footwork allowed her to evade danger and she landed another kick to the trunk. Al‐Sadeq rallied but it wasn’t enough to win the round which Wiet Henin took 6-3. Both fighters came out at a frenetic pace in the second round but neither was able to make their kicks count. With Wiet Henin headed for a 2-0 win, Al‐Sadeq landed a kick to the trunk followed quickly by a kick to the head to take a 5-2 lead. Wiet Henin drew the scores level with a head kick of her own forcing it into a final round. There was little to separate the fighters in the decisive round with Wiet Henin going 5-0 up only for Al‐Sadeq to land a spinning kick to the trunk to bring the scores within one point. Al‐Sadeq continued her attacking style but Wiet Henin defended well and won the round 6-4 to take gold. In the semi finals, Al‐Sadeq beat Mari Romundset Nilsen of Norway 2:0. Wiet Henin faced Gbagbi of Cote d’Ivoire in the other semi final match. The two fighters had been paired together at last year’s Roma 2022 Grand-Prix, and the outcome was the same this time - with Wiet Henin coming out on top. 48

Day.2

Double Delight for France, Gold for Korea on Baku Day 2

In the M-58kg it was Bae versus Gurtsiev. Bae took -58kg an early lead landing two body kicks and a kick to the head with no response. At 8-2 down, Gurtsiev tried a number of spinning kicks to get back into the match but failed to keep his balance and was penalised with two gamjeoms. The round finished 10-2 to Bae. Another gamjeom at the start of the second round gave Bae a 1-0 lead which he added to with well-timed kicks and punches to go 9-0 up. Gurtsiev landed a kick to the body but Bae was proving too strong and won the round 15-5 to secure gold. Gurtsiev had overcome Jordan’s Altaryreh 2:0 in the semis. Bae faced number six seed of Spain Vicente Yunta in the second of the semi finals. Yunta came into the year in mixed form having won two bronze Grand-Prix medals in 2022 but failing to reach the semi finals in the other two. Vicente Yunta fought well but Bae’s experience shone through and he won the match 2:0.

In the W-73kg gold medal match it was Olympic bronze -73kg medalist versus World Championships bronze medalist. McGowan took an early 2-0 lead but Laurin quickly responded with a head kick to go 3-2 up. A front kick to the trunk extended the Frenchwoman’s lead. In a frantic final 30 seconds the two fighters exchanged a barrage of kicks and punches but it was Laurin who ended the round the victor with a score of 16-10. McGowan signalled her intent in the first few seconds of the second round with a head kick but with 30 seconds gone the scores were tied again at 3-3. The Briton returned to the lead with a body kick only for Laurin to immediately respond to level the scoring. In the last 15 seconds, Laurin landed two kicks to the body to win the round 9-5 and take the gold. McGowan had faced Jelic of Croatia in the semi-final. McGowan raced ahead in the first round with Jelic making a late surge to pull her back but it was not enough. The second round followed a similar pattern and McGowan won 2-0. Laurin had come up against AIN Khan in the last semi of the night. The Olympic bronze Medalist proved too strong for Khan and won the match 2-0.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 31, 2023)

As the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships approached its midway point, the top athletes of the M-80kg, M-87kg and W-49kg put on a show with some of the best matches of the tournament resulting in golds for Italy, Turkiye and Korea. In the M-80kg Italy’s Simone Alessio stayed true to form to win gold. The Italian was named Athlete of the Year in 2022 after winning the Roma and Paris Grand-Prix and the Grand-Prix final in Riyadh. Having won gold at the 2019 World Championships in the M-74kg his victory in Baku makes him a two-time, two-weight World Champion. The silver medal went to a deserving Carl Alan Nickolas of the USA; bronze medals were won by Colombia’s Miguel Trejos Salas and Olympic and Egypt’s World Championships Bronze Medalist Seif Eissa. In the W-49kg, Turkiye’s Merve Dincel demonstrated she is a force to be reckoned. A relative underdog in the final, she faced Rio Olympic and two-time World Champion Panipak Wongpattanakit of Thailand. Dincel was not overawed and for the second time this year beat the formidable Thai to win her first world title and send a strong message in the weight category. Bronze medals went to Spain’s Tokyo 2020 Silver Medalist Adriana Cerezo Iglesias and Roma 2022 Grand-Prix Silver Medalist Bruna Duvancic of Croatia. In the M-87kg, Korea’s Sang-hyun Kang came into the competition on the back of a bronze medal at the Grand Slam in Wuxi this year. but it was unclear how he would fare at his first World Championships. The dark horse did not disappoint, delivering one of the best fights at Baku in the semi-finals against Iran’s Arian Salimi before claiming the world title. Silver was won by the number two seed, Croati’s Ivan Sapina, and the bronze medals were shared by Iran’s Salimi and Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Artsiom Plonis.

Day.3

Golds for Italy, Korea, Turkiye on Day 3 of Worlds

In the M-80kg it was a repeat of the Paris 2022 Grand-Prix semi-final -80kg with Alessio facing the USA’s Nickolas. The first round was frantic and frenetic with both men tussling in the centre of the mat without being able to register any points. The round finished 0-0 but went to Alessio courtesy of superiority. Nickolas called for a video replay on whether Alessio had left the mat before the round ended and therefore was due a gamjeom but the call was rejected. In the second round a similar pattern followed. Alessio was the first to score points with a front leg kick. Nickolas pushed to even the score forcing Alessio off the mat but it was not enough and the Italian struck gold with a second round win. In the semi-finals, Alessio’s narrowly edged past Colombia’s Trejos Salas after a scoreless first round went to the Italian by virtue of his higher number of kicks. The former world champion won the second round 4-2 to win the match. Nickolas caused an upset in his semi-final beating number-two seed Eissa, 2-0. A close-fought first round score of 2-0 to Nickolas was followed up with a more dominating 10-5 second round win. 50

This final was one to remember with Dincel facing the legendary Wongpattanakit. -49kg Dincel is known for being an aggressive fighter - one who was well aware of Wongpattanakit’s trademark front leg. Both fighters know each other well and cancelled each other out with no registrations until the final 15 seconds when a punch from Wongpattanakit impacted - which was enough to give the Thai the win when the round finished 0-0. In the second round, a twisting kick gave Dincel a 2-0 lead but a response from Wongpattanakit evened the scores. The round looked like it would end in another draw which would be awarded to Wongpattanakit - then Dincel landed a body kick in the last second to win, 4-2. Two head shots gave Dincel a healthy lead in the third round with a minute to go. As Wongpattanakit chased points Dincel picked off another head kick. In a round of high kicks, Wongpattanakit landed one of her own but it wasn’t enough and Dincel won the round and match 11-4. Dincel had narrowly overcame Cerezo Iglesias in the first semi-final. In the second semi-final Duvancic nearly caused an upset, stealing the first round with a punch to win 4-3. But Wongpattanakit showed her experience to fight back and win the second round 12-3 and the third round 9-1.

In Round 1 of the the M-87kg final, a punch from Sapina gave the Croa-87kg tian an early lead against Kang. But a back leg push kick followed by a gamjeom and a punch gave Kang a 4-1 lead. A kick to the body from Sapina, immediately followed by Kang, brought the scores to 6-4. A gamjeom meant the first round finished 6-5 to Kang. In the second, Sapina took an early lead with a front leg chop kick to the head. Kang landed a kick to the body to bring the score within three points. Twist kicks back-to-back gave Kang the lead for the first time in the round. Another kick to the body was enough for Kang to win the Round 2 9-7 and secure the gold medal. The first semi had been one of the great fights of the World Championships with Kang and Salimi landing simultaneous kicks. Kang won the first round 9-6. The second round was no less exciting with 18 points scored by the two fighters in 15 seconds but Salimi claimed it by virtue of a higher number of kicks registered after the round finished all square. After an energy-sapping second round the third was lower scoring and Kang won 7-6. In the second semi, Plonis performed strongly in the first round using his height advantage to win 9-3. Sapina fought back well in the second round to win 4-2. A triple headshot from Sapina in the third round gave the Croatian a healthy lead and earned him his place in the final.

Turkiye Doubles Down on Day 4 BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 1, 2023)

Turkiye continued to make the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships a tournament to remember on the fourth day as Nafia Kus won gold in the W+73kg and Hakan Recber claimed the top spot in the M-63kg. Veteran fighter Kus had won bronze at the 2019 World Championships in Manchester and had won the same prize at the World Championships in Chelyabinsk in 2015 but had never reached a final before. She put that right in Baku - winning the world title. Silver was won by Uzbekistan’s Svetlana Osipova and the bronze medals were won by Triple World Champion Bianca Cook (formerly Walkden) and Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Kristina Adebaio. Recber, 23, a former Junior Champion and a relative veteran in his weight category made all his experience count. While he won bronze at Tokyo 2020 he has not had as much success in World Championships. But at Baku he made it fourth time lucky with commanding and controlled performances from start to finish. The silver medal was won by 17-year-old newcomer Banlung Tubtimdang of Thailand and the bronze medals were shared by former Pan American Champion Carlos Navarro of Mexico and Guadalajara 2022 World Championships bronze Medalist Joan Jorquera Cala of Spain.

In the final of the W+73kg a cagey start saw both Kus and Osipova try to take control of the centre of the mat. Neither fighter was willing to take too many risks with the score remaining 0-0 for much of the round. In the last few seconds Kus was able to land more, winning the round. The second round followed a similar pattern with both fighters trying to find the distance with the front kick. A head kick from Kus at the halfway mark broke the deadlock. The fight came to life in the final 20 seconds as two gamjeoms and a body shot from Osipova gave her a 4-3 lead. The scores were drawn equal at 6-6 but Osipova pulled away with a head kick and body shot in quick succession, taking Round 2, 11-6. A front leg head kick from Kus gave her a 3-0 lead at the start of the final round. Gamjeoms for both players reduced Kus’ lead but she extended it again with a head kick. With the score at 7-4 and a few seconds remaining Kus found herself one gamjeom away from disqualification but kept her composure to win the gold. In the first semi-final Osipova had met Cook, who was in the hunt for a fourth world title. There was very little to choose between the two fighters in the first round with Osipova taking it courtesy of superiority after a 3-3 finish. Cook held the lead for much of the second round but Osipova landed a head kick in the dying seconds to win the round 4-3 - and the match. Kus faced Adebaio in the second of the semi-finals. Kus put in a commanding first round performance winning 5-0. Adebaio returned in kind with a strong round to win 12-5. In the final round Kus took an early lead which she conserved, to win 6-1.

+73kg

Day.4

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

In the M-63kg it was experience versus youth with Recber and Tubtimdang going head-to-63kg head. An early gamjeom followed by a power punch from Recber gave the Turk a 2-0 lead. With 15 seconds left Recber landed a kick to the body from the clinch and a head shot over the shoulder to win the round 7-0. Tubtimdang turned up the intensity in the second round trying to use his 16cm height advantage. A kick to the body from Tubtimdang saw the score at 3-1 then a punch from Recber brought the scores within one point. A gamjeom for Recber extended the lead in Tubtimdang’s favour again, but Recber returned with a kick to the body. Gamjeoms from both fighters saw Tubtimdang even the tie with a 6-5 round win. In the third round, a push kick from Tubtimdang saw Recber fall to the mat and receive a gamjeom. A third successful punch from Recber evened the scores. With five seconds left it was 2-1 to Recber but two body shots gave him some breathing space and he won the round and the gold, 6-2. Recber had earlier met Navarro in the first semi-final. Recber came out quickly and took control of the first round winning 10-5. In the second, Navarro brought the scores within one point but a flurry of kicks in the final seconds saw the Turk walk away with a place in the final courtesy of an 11-9 round win. Third seed Jorquera Cala and Tubtimdang matched up in the second semi. Tubtimdang performed calmly to win the round 9-3. Jorquera Cala fought back in the second round and the scores were tied with 30 seconds remaining, but the tall Thai stepped it up to win the round 9-7.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 3, 2023)

Day.5

Croatia, Korea, Victorious on Day 5

The fifth day of the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships saw a new star born and an established star add to her medal haul as Lena Stojkovic of Croatia retained her World Championship title in the W-46kg and Tae‐joon Park won the M-54kg in style in his World Championships debut. Stojkovic won gold at the World Championships in Guadalajara last year and followed up with another impressive performance in Baku, making her the first champ to retain her title from 2022. The Croatian was pushed to the edge by Thailand’s Kamonchanok Seeken in the final but her experience and skill shone through. Seeken was a deserved winner of the silver medal and bronze medals went to World Championships debutant Ruka Okamoto of Japan and China’s Xiaolu Wang. Korea’s 18-year-old Park in his debut appearance at a senior World Championships sent out a statement of intent with exceptional performances throughout the tournament. The young Korean won the Manchester 2022 Grand-Prix after securing a wild card entry via victory in the World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Challenge. He looks far from needing wild cards in the future: He battled through Baku, entertaining the stands with spectacular Taekwondo. The silver medal was won by Spain’s Hugo Arillo Vazquez and bronze medals were shared by Uzbekistan’s Omonjon Otajonov and Turkiye’s Gorkem Polat.

In the W-46kg final, the 17-year-old Seeken picked up from where she left off in the -46kg semi-finals to take a 5-2 lead against Stojkovic within 15 seconds. A chop kick to the head extended Seeken’s lead. The Thai was relentless in her attack and threw a barrage of kicks at Stojkovic to win the round 14-4. In the second round it looked like Seeken had too much for Stojkovic as she took an early 4-0 lead. In the pursuit of attack Seeken over reached to leave herself open for Stojkovic to land kicks to the body and take the lead for the first time. A punch from Seeken drew the scores to 5-5 but she followed up with two head kicks, back-to-back. In the last 10 seconds Stojkovic landed a crescent kick to win the round by one point, 11-12. In the final round both athletes showed great balance and poise. Seeken again took an early lead, 2-1. A front leg counter from Stojkovic followed by another body shot gave her a 5-2 lead. Stojkovic moved well, mixing up the distance and keeping Seeken at bay, ultimately winning the round 6-4 to take gold. Stojkovic had met Okamoto in the first semi-final. It looked like Okamoto was going to claim the first round but with two seconds left a video replay revealed Stojkovic had successfully landed a head kick, taking her from one point down to two points up to win 6-4. In the second, Stojkovic took control, scoring freely to win the round 9-0. In the second semi between Seeken and Wang, Seeken showed great precision throughout the first round, consistently landing clean head shots to win 14-3. Seeken carried on from where she left off in the second round moving through the gears to take a 10-0 lead. Wang pulled five points back but a final head kick gave Seeken a 13-5 win. 54

In the M-54kg it was Korea’s Park versus Spain’s Arillo Vazquez. The impressive teen -54kg took an early 2-0 lead which he followed up with a front leg double. A head kick extended his lead and a push kick ended the round 8-0 to Park. In the second, Arillo Vazquez was unlucky not to score on the inside, but Park punished him with a body shot of his own to go 2-0 up. A punch from Park threatened to take the score away from Arillo Vazquez once again but the Spaniard landed a shot to the body to bring the score within one. Great timing up close from Park on a kick to the body and a punch extended his lead, 6-2. Arillo Vazquez tried to land a spinning kick to bring him back into the fight but Park evaded and won the round 6-3 to win gold. Park had met Otajonov in the first semi-final. Otajonov won the first round on superiority. Park brought higher intensity in the second round and was landing his shots, resulting in an 8-2 victory. The final round brought the style from both fighters but it was Park who showed the greater imagination and creativity with a reverse turning kick to the head - the standout shot of the match. Park won the round 18-8. In the second semi-final, Arillo Vazquez knew it would be a tough challenge facing Polat but delivered an almost perfect first round, winning 15-1. In the second, Polat looked to have pulled himself back into it as he looked to protect a 6-3 lead but three body kicks from Arillo Vazquez in quick succession reversed the match’s trajectory and gave the Spaniard a 9-7 win.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 4, 2023)

The penultimate day of the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships brought a second gold for Croatia as Marko Golubic won the M-74kg and a gold for Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Liliia Khuzina in the W-62kg. AIN Khuzina arrived in Baku having never competed at a senior World Championships before but did not appear daunted and performed impressively to win her first world title. Silver was won by Manchester 2019 World Championships silver Medalist Caroline Santos from Brazil. Bronze medals went to Great Britain’s now three-time World Championships bronze Medalist Aaliyah Powell and Uzbekistan’s Feruza Sadikova. Golubic finished fifth at the World Championships in Guadalajara and had not won gold at a senior WT event before, but in Baku made it a tournament to remember with gold. The silver medal went to Serbia’s Stefan Takov and the bronze medals were shared by Australia’s Leon Sejranovic, who became the first Australian male to win a World Championship medal since Edmondon in 1999, and AIN Kadyrbech Daurov.

In the W-62kg final, Khuzina faced number two seed, Santos. Two gamjeoms gave Santos a two-point lead at -62kg the beginning of the first round. A front leg head shot from Khuzina saw her leapfrog Santos and go 3-2 up. A successful video review on a head kick won Khuzina the round 6-2. Khuzina’s active front leg again kept Santos at bay in the second round. Both fighters landed kicks simultaneously with Khuzina landing a head shot and Santos a kick to the body to take the score 6-2 to Khuzina. The last 20 seconds were all action with Santos landing a hook kick and forcing a gamjeom to bring the scores level, 6-6. Santos was set to take the match tin the third round courtesy of a higher number of registrations but a kick to the body from Khuzina in the dying seconds won her gold with a final score of 8-6. In the first semi-final it had been Khuzina versus Powell. Khuzina dominated the early exchanges but it was Powell who won Round 1 9-6. Khuzina regrouped in the break and came out strong strongly in the second to win 11-3. Powell had no answer to Khuzina’s active front leg and Khuzina won 7-0 in the third. In the second semi, Santos started the match aggressively and exerted her dominance with a 12-0 win. Sadikova changed tactics in the second to win 8-5 but Santos stepped it back up in the last round, winning 10-4.

Day.6

Day 6 Proves Golden for Croatia, AIN

In the M-74kg final both fighters looked to establish their distance in the early ex-74kg changes. Golubic pressured Takov out of the court to take a 1-0 lead courtesy of a gamjeom. Golubic tried to close the distance and landed a punch, only for Takov to perfectly execute a hook kick to the head to take a 3-2 lead. A roundhouse kick to the body from Golubic in the closing seconds restored his lead and gave him a 4-3 win. Both fighters got early points in the second round with Takov leading 5-2. Golubic defending with the knee earned him a gamjeom to extend Takov’s lead. A back leg kick to the body from Golubic brought the scores to 5-5 temporarily before Takov returned with a body kick of his own. A push kick was enough win the round for the Serbian, 9-6. In the decisive Round 3, body shots gave Golubic a six-point lead with just under a minute to go. Tako scored a two point shot of his own but a front leg twist kick extended Golubic’s lead again. A late spinning kick from Takov tied the scores 8-8 with two seconds to go. Golubic won gold on superiority. In the first semi-final Golubic had met Sejranovic. A commanding first round display saw the Croatian win 21-4. In the second round he quickly established control, scoring seven points in the first six seconds. Sejranovic threatened to level proceedings bringing the score within one point but Golubic pulled away once again winning 15-9. The second of the semi-finals brought together Takov and Daurov. Takov appeared in control in the first round winning comfortably 7-1. Daurov fought well in the second round but Takov was able to register a narrow 4-3 victory.

Day 7 Proves Lucky for Cote d’Ivoire, Iran, as Baku 2023 Draws to a Close BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 5, 2023)

The Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships concluded this evening in style with gold medals going to Iran’s Nahid Kiyanichandeh in the W-53kg and Cote d’Ivoire’s ever-popular Cheick Sallah Cisse in the M+87kg. In the W-53kg, Kiyanichandeh came into Baku having competed at three World Championships without winning a medal, The Iranian put this right winning her first medal - gold - with a hugely impressive performance in the final. Silver went to China’s 2022 Grand Slam winner and Guadalajara 2022 World Championship medalist, Ju Zuo. Bronze medals were won by Egypt’s Shahd Samy Elhosseiny and Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Tatiana Minina. In Baku, Rio 2016 Gold Medalist Cisse was fighting for the first time at a World Championship at M+87kg, having previous competed at -87kg and -80kg. The step up in weight seemed to work for him as he looked unstoppable throughout the day. Defending World Champion Carlos Sansores from Mexico won silver and bronze medals went to Turkiye’s Emre Kutalmis Atesli and Croatia’s Pasko Bozic.

The W-53kg final was an all-Asian match up: Kiyanichandeh versus Zuo. Kiyanichandeh was the first to score -53kg landing two front leg kicks to the body for a 4-0 lead. Another double body shot extended Kiyanichandeh’s lead. A fake punch into a back leg turning kick gave Kiyanichandeh a commanding 10-0 lead. Kiyanichandeh’s incredible accuracy with the front leg saw her score with almost every kick and she won the round 14-0. Two seconds into the second round Kiyanichandeh’s front leg was landing again. With a minute gone Zuo was still looking for a way through - then a head shot followed by a kick to the body gave the Iranian a 9-0 lead. A wicked spinning kick to the head from Zuo got her off the mark but Kiyanichandeh’s lead was insurmountable and she won 11-7 to secure the world title. In the first semi-final, Zuo had been paired against Samy Elhosseiny. Zuo won the first round with a commanding 9-2 performance. A similar second round went to Zuo with a score of 8-2. The second semi-final saw Kiyanichandeh against Minina. A tight opening round went the way of the Iranian, 5-4. Minina came out very aggressively in the second and a flurry of head kicks from both fighters gave the AIN a 14-6 win. In the decisive round there was little to choose between them with the fighters taking it in turns to lead. The scores were even with a few seconds to go but two late kicks from Kiyanichandeh gave her a 10-6 win. 58

Day.7

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

In the M+87kg final, it was the number-three ranked Cisse against the +87kg number -one ranked Sansores. Cisse started at his trademark fast pace, securing an early 2-0 lead. The tempo slowed as both fighters settled into a rhythm. Sansores hunted for points, pressuring Cisse out of the ring for a gamjeom. A 2-1 win went to Cisse. In the second , Cisse repeated his tactics putting two points on the board early with a back leg to the body. Cisse was unlucky not to score with another back leg. Sansores again forced gamjeom off the mat but again it was too late to make the difference and Cisse won 2-1 to take gold in the second. Sansores had met Atesli in the first of the semi-finals. Neither fighter wanted to give up any space in the first round and it was ultimately decided by gamjeom in Sansores’ favour. In the second round, a back leg kick in the clinch gave Sansores a 2-0 lead which he held throughout the round. Cisse faced Bozic in the second semi. Fighting against a taller and heavier opponent, Cisse set a quick tempo and won the round 8-6. In the second round the Ivorian started quickly once again to take an early lead which he protected to win, decisively, 5-1.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

Korea Wins Men’s Title, Turkiye Tops Women’s Podium at Baku 2023 World Championships BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 4, 2023)

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue acclaimed the success of the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships which showcased the very best of the sport and engaged new digital audiences. The World Championships saw nearly 1,000 athletes from 144 registered member nations plus one Refugee Team compete across seven days of competition. A total of 24 countries won at least one medal, with the 16 gold medals won by nine different countries demonstrating the global reach of the sport. The event generated record-breaking engagement on social media, with 21.7 million views for the hashtag #Baku2023wtc on TikTok cementing the sport’s position as the number one combat sport on the platform. More than 1.6 million unique livestream views were also generated on TikTok. Of the 64 athletes who medalled, 10 were first-time World Championship medalists. An additional 31 athletes achieved their first-ever WT medals at the World Championships. Among them, the majority are below 24 years old, signifying a generational shift which will have a lasting impact on the Taekwondo scene in the years to come.

Korea finished top of the men’s medal table and Turkiye led the women’s standings. At the closing ceremony, Baku officially handed the flag over to the hosts of the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships - Wuxi, China. MVPs and Special Awards

Tae-joon Park (Korea)

Most Valuable Player Men

Most Valuable Player Women Merve Dincel (Turkiye) Best Team Coach Men

Hong-youb An (Korea)

Best Team Coach Women

Ali Shahin (Turkiye)

Best Referee Men

Ayman Al Adarbeh (Jordan)

Best Referee Women

Byung Hee Kim (Brunei)

Active Participation Award

Canada

Good Fighting Spirit Award

Azerbaijan

Inclusive Championships The World Championships also witnessed the largest ever Refugee Team, with 13 refugee athletes reflecting the federation’s commitment to ensuring Taekwondo is a sport for all and empowers those in need. Among the Refugee Team was Yehya Al-Ghotani who is the first athlete from the refugee camp in Azraq, Jordan, to compete at a World Taekwondo Championships. “The 2023 World Taekwondo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan was an excellent showcase of our Olympic sport on the occasion of our 50th founding anniversary,” said Choue. “This event was not just about elite sport. It also embodied Taekwondo values of tolerance, inclusiveness, and respect, and contributed to the IOC’s call for peace.” In line with the recommendations of the IOC, World Taekwondo approved Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) to compete at the World Championships once they had undergone a stringent three-step verification process. The verification process was conducted in a transparent and fair manner. The 23 AIN athletes who were verified as eligible to participate were treated like any other Taekwondo athlete – with respect, equal rights and responsibilities in every area of the venue.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

Bach in Baku: IOC President Attends

2023 World Championships

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 3, 2023)

IOC President Thomas Bach today joined World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue at the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships to support the competing athletes and enjoy the spectacular action. Ahead of the evening’s finals, Bach and Choue visited the Taekwondo for All stand on the side-lines of the competition to learn more about the meaningful work World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) are doing to support those in need. Bach also met with the newly elected Athletes’ Committee members; Cheick Cisse (Cote d’Ivoire), Katherine Alvarado (Costa Rica), Dae-hoon Lee (Korea). He also met Yehya Al Ghotani - the first-ever refugee from the Azraq Refugee Camp to participate in the World Championships - and gold Medalists from the ongoing World Championships. Bach said: “I want to congratulate World Taekwondo and particularly President Choue for an excellent World Championships. Working together with the Azeri Organising Committee this has been such a great showcase for the Olympic sport of Taekwondo. This may also in part be the result of the great progress the federation has made with regard to the fair and transparent judging and refereeing system.

“It was a great opportunity to see the great respect and friendship of all the participating athletes of the 144 countries plus the Refugee Team. It was the most fitting way to celebrate 50 years of the federation and it shows great promise for another excellent appearance of Taekwondo at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.” Choue said: We are grateful to IOC President Thomas Bach for the support he continues to show to Taekwondo. It was our pleasure to welcome him to our World Championships and showcase the innovations and improvements we are making. “This year’s World Championships coincides with our 50th anniversary and is a reminder of how far we have come. With 144 countries plus one Refugee Team competing here in Baku, Taekwondo is demonstrating that it is a truly global and inclusive sport. We believe strongly in the role of sport to unite and promote peace and we will continue to work to ensure that Taekwondo is a sport for all and empowers refugees and those who need it most.” Earlier in the day, Bach and Choue had visited the Azerbaijan National Taekwondo Centre with both Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Farid Gayibov and President of the Azerbaijan Taekwondo Federation Kamaladdin Heydarov.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

THF Refugee Athlete Lives the Dream at World Championships

Leaving a Lasting Impression

BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 30, 2023)

In the M-63kg category, THF Refugee Athlete Yehya Al Ghotani lost out to Mexican opponent Carlos Navarro in the round of 64. However, his participation in the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships will be remembered for the impression he left on and off the mat. Al Ghotani was one of 13 refugee athletes competing in Baku, but the only - and first ever athlete to come from the Taekwondo Humanitarian Centre in the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan. He fought valiantly against Navarro, a former Pan American champion, fighting back after an opening round loss of 12-0 to register six points in the second. However, five gamjeoms saw the fight end prematurely. Irrespective of that defeat, he showed that he is not out of place at this level of Taekwondo. There is no doubt he will be back.

It is the dream of any Taekwondo athlete to compete at a World Championships. But for refugee athlete Yehya Al Ghotani, his participation at the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships feels extra special given the unimaginably difficult circumstances he has overcome to get here. Al Ghotani, one of seven children, had no choice but to leave his home in Syria in search of safety when war broke out. He and his family ended up in the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan, where he lives to this day. It was in Azraq that he discovered Taekwondo. He began training with the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) which was established in 2016. In 2018 the THF launched the Taekwondo Humanitarian Centre in Azraq which has graduated over 100 black belts. Fast forward to the present day and Al Ghotani is one of 13 refugee athletes competing at the World Championships, but the only athlete from the Azraq camp. “Since the first day when we started at the THF school in Jordan in the refugee camp, I was one of the first athletes. When I received a nice hall to train in, a uniform and a professional coach to train me, I’ve been very happy,” said Al Ghotani. “The first time I trained in my first class I loved it even though it’s hard and I thought this can make me stronger and make me feel more confident in myself.” He showed a natural ability for the sport. It was not long before he began to aspire to the highest levels. “It was my dream since I was a white belt when I started, to see all the famous players around the world. To now participate in the World Championships is a big achievement. I’m very happy to be here and to see everybody from different backgrounds of the world and all the famous players. It’s a hard competition. Any fight in a World Championships is hard as everyone prepares but I am happy to be here.” Baku is the second international competition Al Ghotani has participated in, following his participation in the Fujairah Open. A recipient of the IOC Scholarship for Refugee Athletes for Paris 2024, he is making a name for himself in the sport - and also back home. “I received some videos from refugees in Azraq to encourage me for the competition. When I go back I will tell everyone about my experience,” said Al Ghotani. “I want everyone to have hope that if I have had the chance to be in the World Championships others will have the chance again. There is 64

BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 1, 2023)

hope for every refugee in Azraq to come to the World Championships.” Al Ghotani’s passion to inspire others is clear. He also wants to use his position to shine a light on the daily hardships refugees are facing around the world. Just this week, his family were forced out of their home in the Azraq camp after it flooded. “I go through a hard life. Taekwondo is working hard,” he says. “But now I have the chance to meet with people from the media, I can explain the situation in the refugee camp, and what we go through, to the world.” If Al Ghotani fulfils his Olympic ambitions then his platform to generate awareness of the refugee crisis will grow further. “My goal is to be in the Olympic Games one day. Now my goal is to prepare to try and qualify for Paris but if I don’t have the chance for Paris, I will keep working hard for Los Angeles.” Irrespective of Olympic qualification there is no questioning the impact Taekwondo has had on Al Ghotani. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue conducted a donation ceremony where KPNP equipment was gifted to Al Ghotani at the competition venue, Crystal Hall. But the greatest benefits Taekwondo has brought are intangible. “The main benefits are discipline and confidence. It makes me respect the time as for training I have to be on time. Even more than school, Taekwondo has taught me discipline, to to be disciplined and listen to the coach and respect other competitors. During the game I fight hard but when the game has finished I respect the other players,” he says. “For me, Taekwondo is changing my life.”

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

Althea Laurin Hopes World Title will Kick off a Gold Rush BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 31, 2023)

Less than 24 hours have passed since Althea Laurin won gold in Baku and it is clear that the enormity of her achievements has still not set in. “I don’t know if I am realising completely that I am World Champion right now,” Laurin says calmly while competitions rage on all around. “But it feels very good. It’s hard work rewarded, we worked as a team, and being rewarded in public like this is nice.” Before yesterday’s competition, France had not won a Taekwondo World Championship title in 10 years. However, by the time Althéa claimed her gold last night, it had only been 15 minutes since France last won a world title: Her compatriot Magda Wiet-Hénin had just emerged victorious in the W-67kg. “I think we made history in French Taekwondo because this is the first time we have two gold medals on the same day so I am quite proud of it and I think Magda is too,” Laurin says. “For sure, it makes it more special that we had not won in 10 years. Everyone in the team was so happy for us. It’s really good.” Just 21, Laurin already has an Olympic bronze from Tokyo 2020, but last night’s medal was her first gold in a senior WT event. “When I go to a competition usually I try to think about winning: that’s it,” she said. “So I was feeling as usual and I did my best and this happened.” Her singular focus served Laurin well. She only lost one round on her route to the title, winning 2-0 against Great Britain’s Rebecca McGowan in the final. Part of what makes her so difficult to beat is the variety in her play. She constantly keeps her opponent guessing; something she puts down to instinct. “It depends how I feel, if I’m more comfortable doing something, I will do it more,” she explains. “It depends on my feeling and instinct. I have a game plan, but I try to listen to my intuition and instinct.”

With fewer Taekwondo events earlier in the year, Laurin was able to focus her energy on these World Championships, something she credits for the significant improvement she has made since last year’s Worlds in Guadalajara. “I think the difference is I put more focus on the World Championships than being able to perform at every single competition,” she said. “The calendar was less charged. In terms of performance it was better for me. I had more time to mentally prepare. It was the main event.” However, the main event has now come and gone and Laurin has a taste for gold. Next week she will return to the mats at the Roma 2023 Grand-Prix. Her aims are simple: “As usual doing my best. Getting a gold. I think we are all here for this.” After that it is the Paris 2023 Grand-Prix, where again Laurin is targeting gold at a home event.

Every top athlete has the mentality to win every time they compete but at 21, Laurin has the humility to view each competition as a chance to “learn a lot”. Each learning opportunity brings her one step closer to the ultimate goal. Hometwon gold at the Games in Paris. “We are talking about longer term but it’s short, it’s only one year. I have to do my best; do my preparation and get it,” she says assuredly. “It will be something really special, I don’t know how to describe it. I’m waiting to live it to see how it feels. It’s really a nice venue.” Home turf brings added pressure. Particularly when you are World Champion and the president of your country has called for more medals. But Laurin does not seem daunted and exudes the same calmness and confidence she does on the mat. “I don’t feel the pressure. I feel pressure when I put objectives on myself. I think it’s nice like this. Motivation comes first from inside.”

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

Hungary’s Luana Marton is Hungry for More BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 31, 2023)

Hungarian Taekwondo is enjoying a period of unprecedented success with a crop of young fighters ushering in a new era. 17-year-old Luana Marton is one such talent who looks set to write a new chapter for her country’s sport. At the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships, Luana became the first female Hungarian ever to win a world title in Taekwondo. Her victory came less than a year after Omar Salim won a male gold at the World Taekwondo Championships in Guadalajara – the first Hungarian world title in the game since his coach and father Gergely won gold in the same weight category, at the same age, 21 years prior. “I am very happy because I am the first girl to win the World Championships for Hungary and I am very happy to have done it,” Marton says. She is sat next to her twin sister, Viviana, who is set to compete in the W-62kg. “It is a lot of motivation because she [Luana] won the gold medal,” Viviana says. “I think I can do it also because she’s my sister. So I will try to do my best and see if it is possible to win.” Luana and Viviana train together at their Taekwondo club, Hankuk, in Madrid, where they are coached by recently retired Finnish Olympic Taekwondo Athlete Suvi Mikkonen. There is plenty of Olympic experience at the club as Spain’s Tokyo 2020 silver Medalist Adriana Cerezo Iglesias is also a member. “When Salim won the gold medal in Guadalajara, I was very happy for him as he’s a very good friend to me and I’m very motivated to do the same, and to follow the same path,” Marton says. “I had the same feeling when my training partner Adriana won the silver medal in Tokyo.” 68

Her friendships with these fighters and the success they have had, has opened the door to Marton and made her realise that she can do the same. Perhaps that is why she seemed completely at home in Baku at her first senior World Championships. “I came in relaxed, I came here with the idea of doing my best, my mind was relaxed and I didn’t put pressure on myself, I showed that I can do it,” she says. “My goal was a gold medal of course, but I wasn’t thinking all the time that I need to win the gold medal, I was thinking I need to fight very good and very hard and to take it step by step.” In the final, Marton met Chinese Taipei’s Olympic bronze medalist from Tokyo 2020, Chia‐Ling Lo. She had beaten Lo months before in the Belgium Open, but she didn’t let that distract her. “I didn’t think before the match that I am better than her as I didn’t know what will happen during the fight, my mentality was the same as in every fight during the day, however I did feel confident that I could win. Sometimes it’s hard when they are taller but I adapted my techniques and did different movements to block.” Next up for Marton is the Senegal Open before the Grand-Prix Challenge and European Games and her ultimate goal: qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Away from Taekwondo she is just a normal teenager. She fits her training around school and enjoys time with her family and friends. On the mat, though, she will be hoping she, her sister and Salim can prove to be a golden generation for Hungary.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

Lena Stojkovic: ‘I Didn’t Give up and it Paid off’ BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 3, 2023)

Never giving up is engrained in Croatia’s new two-time World Champion Lena Stojkovic. Whether in Taekwondo or in life, the Croatian has shown grit and mental strength. “I think from a young age my coaches and the environment taught me to be tough,” Lena says. “I think it’s really important not to give up. It sounds cliché but it’s really not. When you think you can’t that’s when you really have to, and you can.” Speaking with Lena the day after she successfully defended her world title, you are reminded that success is never easy, even when an athlete makes it look that way. After winning the World Championships last year, Stojkovic faced new challenges. “I had a tough period between Guadalajara and here, even though it has only been eight months. I had a lot of things happen in those months,” she explains. “It was hard for me. I was thinking about whether to go on or not. It was really hard. But thankfully because of the people around me they supported me and didn’t let me give up so I didn’t and it paid off.” “I think maybe because I had those tough times in-between I had to pull myself back out of it. So maybe it gave me even more motivation for this Championships.” In Baku, Stojkovic demonstrated this determination, twice coming back from losing positions to win matches – notably in the final where she was behind after the first round against Thailand’s Kamonchanok Seeken. “Everybody asked me what did my coach tell me after the first round, and I told them he was basically telling me the same thing before the first and second round: I just didn’t fully listen in the first round,” she says with a smile. “But something did cross my mind. I thought I didn’t give everything in training for nothing. All those hours, days and months of hard work are are nothing compared to a few minutes I have here so I’m going to give everything. So whatever the result I would have been happy.” 70

From 14-4 down in the first round of the final Stojkovic fought back to win 12-11 and 6-4, securing her second world title. She is in no doubt about how important the people are around her and credits them with her success. “My team and coaches are very important. They are the people I spend my whole day with; days and weeks of training and the majority of my life. Sometimes I’m more with them than my family... but they kind of are my family.” Croatia’s Taekwondo family is celebrating more than one medal. Ivan Sapina won silver in the M-87kg and Matea Jelic and Bruna Duvancic won bronzes in the W-73kg and W-49kg, respectively. They all train at the same club, Marjan, in Split and enjoy a close relationship. “It’s really special the bond that we have and I think we can make even bigger things than we have here,” Stojkovic says. “I think we are not fully aware of what we have done for the country and the sport. But we were also talking about how we have the potential to do even greater things. I think we share really good values. We try to stay humble, work, trust in each other and what we do and I think that’s really important.” Of Tokyo Gold Medalist Jelic, she says: “I really appreciate Matea. She won the Olympics. She was the first Croatian female to win it in Tokyo. I have her near me. It’s really nice. Everything she says I’m trying to let it sink in.”

Matea’s Olympic success later in her career is also a lesson for Lena to not get too far ahead of herself, despite her huge success so far. “Now there are a lot of young athletes. Really young,” Stojkovic says. “I think it shows you have to keep going step by step and everyone has their own time.” She has little time for celebration with a busy month ahead. Next week she will compete at the Roma 2023 Grand-Prix in a the heavier W-49kg category and later in the month it is the European Games. “I’m trying to take everything one step at a time. Especially after this, I said to myself no matter the result I have to look to the next thing. It is a bit of a bigger challenge competing in a different category. It’s a bit tougher. Maybe the opponents are different and I’m short so they’re a bit taller usually. But my dream is the Olympics so I’m going to have to face it so it’s good for me to compete in that category.” Paris 2024 remains the ultimate target. Stojkovic is not getting ahead of herself. “For now, I am trying not to look too far in future but I have the Olympics in mind and keep that as a main motivator. This year I want to give my all and be better in each tournament, especially in the bigger weight category. So for now that’s my goal and whatever in the future happens, happens.”

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

Leon Sejranovic Hopes Medal will Inspire Next-Gen Aussie Warriors BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 4, 2023)

It has been less than 24 hours since Leon Sejranovic won bronze in the men’s -74kg at the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships, but the young Australian is now able to reflect on what this significant achievement means for him and his country. “It feels surreal. It’s finally starting to sink in,” Sejranovic says about winning Australia’s first male World Taekwondo Championships medal in nearly 25 years. “I was going through highs and lows throughout the day. Trying to recompose myself to go into each fight. Now I can sit back and look at the day as a whole, with a fresh perspective. I’m super happy.” This fresh perspective includes a recognition that this medal has the potential to impact beyond just his career. “It’s the first Australian medal in 10 years since Carmen Morton,” Leon says, noting Morton won the women’s gold medal in W-62kg at the World Championships in 2013. “It’s definitely a privilege and an honour. It makes it more special feeling the love back home. Going on my phone afterwards and seeing all the love and support. I hope we can grow the sport in Australia and show young people from Australia that they can all achieve it if they put in the hard yards and devote themselves to their goals. “I hope that the younger generation and even the generation coming up who are about to break into the seniors can see this and think: ‘Why not me?’ I definitely think there are a lot of young fighters in Australia who are capable of reaching this level if they are professional, do the right 72

things and make the sacrifices needed.” Professionalism and discipline come up a lot throughout the interview and its clear these are principles Sejranovic holds central to his recent success. Having got to the round of 16 in the Worlds in Guadalajara last year he worked hard on his conditioning to put him in a better position in Baku. “I knew with the skills I have, all that really matters at these big competitions is decision-making and performing well under pressure. You don’t need to have a million tools. Just discipline during fights, and decision-making is crucial. This whole year I’ve been taking my professionalism up to a new level and big props for that go to the coaching team I have with Ryan Carneli, Seok-hun Lee and our staff as well as we did so much fitness work which I felt at the worlds in Mexico let me down a bit and meant I was making decisions when I was tired.” It paid off. Sejranovic beat Spain’s defending World Champion, Daniel Quesada Barrera in the round of 16, who he had lost to in Guadalajara. And he was confident he could go all the way. “I truly believe I’m capable of beating anyone for two minutes,” he says. “If you take it one round at a time, if you’re on it there you feel there is no one you can’t beat. That’s not to say you’ll win every fight – everyone’s a killer out there.” “But with the way the rules are now every round is a new round. It doesn’t matter if you lose 1-0 or 10-0. It’s awesome. It’s very spectator friendly. When you’re watching, it gets you out of your seat. It’s really cool. And as a fighter it’s exciting. It potentially puts you in three end-of-fight scenarios in one fight. I love it.” With a world championship bronze under his belt, Sejranovic will quickly need to move on as he focuses on competing

at the Roma 2023 Grand-Prix in the heavier M-80kg category next week. “I find it slightly challenging. But I’m getting used to it and finding my feet in the 80s. This will be my third Grand-Prix. Between the last two I had a big improvement. I’m focusing on the Olympics after the FISU World University Games.” Finding his form in the 80s will be crucial to his success at Paris 2024, something he holds as his ultimate Taekwondo dream and would certainly inspire others in Australia just as he was inspired by Sydney 2000 silver Medalist Daniel Trenton and his coach Ryan Carnelli, who competed at Beijing 2008. “My role models are definitely my coach Ryan. He got me into doing the Olympic style. I’ve always looked up to him. We have a great athlete-coach dynamic. I 100% trust what he says to me. Also Daniel Trenton, watching videos back seeing him win the medal was awesome. Watching his fights made me enjoy Taekwondo.” From a three-year-old who started Taekwondo because his dad wanted to get him into martial arts to help him become more coordinated, Sejranovic has come a long way. And it looks like he’s got an exciting way to go.

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships

College Student Sang-hyun Kang

Passes World Championship Exam BAKU, Azerbaijan (Jun. 1, 2023)

It has been a whirlwind 12 months for Korea’s newest World Champion, Sang-hyun Kang. A student of Taekwondo at the Korean National Sports University, Kang had not competed at international level as a senior before this year. While honing his craft in domestic competitions in Korea, Kang was selected for the national team and quickly made a big impression. In his first three competitions in 2023 he won gold at the US Open, gold at the Canada Open and bronze at the World Taekwondo Grand Slam. In Baku he added his most prestigious medal so far: gold at the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships. A world title is always an incredible achievement but it is even more impressive when you consider where Kang was this time last year. “It was the first time to be in the national team but it was a very good result so I am very happy,” Kang says. “It has been a long time since we got a World Championships medal in the M-87kg but I got it so that’s why it is very meaningful for me.” Kang attributes his success to what he has learnt since training as part of the national team.

“I went into the village for the first time and I met the national team members and national seniors so that’s why I improved my technical strengths.” Among his team mates are two world champions from Guadalajara 2022: Woo-hyeok Park and Jae-kwon Kang. There is no doubt he had adapted to the national team exceptionally well and exceptionally quickly. It wasn’t just his gold medal that caught the eye in Baku. In the semi-finals, he produced one of the epic fights of the tournament against Iranian opponent Arian Salimi. In the second round the two fighters scored nine points each in just 15 seconds, reflecting the ferocious pace of the match. “I like to attack,” Kang says. “But physically its hard so I have to take it step by step. In the final I was tired but it’s the final so I put in all my energy.” With the points from his wins this year, Kang qualifies for the Paris 2023 Grand-Prix where he hopes to win gold - and hopes to return in a year’s time for the Olympic Games. With the progress he has made over the last six months you wouldn’t bet against him. Reflecting on an incredible year he says: “It was unexpected, but I have confidence.”

Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships Gallery

Muju Taekwondowon 2023 World Taekwondo

Grand-Prix Challenge

In the M-58kg, Korea’s Si-yun Kim faced Thailand’s Sirawit Mahamad in the final. Kim won, 2:0. The bronze was won by Kim’s team mate Ha-bin Seok who beat fellow Korean Dae-won Lim.. The last final of the day matched Wei‐chun Lin of Chinese Taipei against Thi anh Tuyet Tran from Vietnam in the W-57kg. Lin secured her country’s second medal of the day with a 2:0 victory. Madina Mirabzalova from Uzbekistan defeated Eun-yeong Jang from Korea for the bronze. Speaking at the Welcome Party, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue revealed, “Last year, I said that the GrandPrix Challenge is a pathway for aspiring athletes. Seven athletes from the inaugural GP Challenge went on to win medals in other WT-promoted events.”

WATCH VIDEOS

Chinese Taipei, Korea, Strike Gold on Day 1 MUJU, Korea (Jul. 15, 2023)

The opening day of the three-day Muju Taekwondowon 2023 World Taekwondo GrandPrix Challenge saw Chinese Taipei win two of the three gold medals on offer with Korea taking the third. Around 100 athletes ranked below 70th (not including 70th) from 18 countries and one refugee team registered for this year’s competition. 1st- and 2nd-placed athletes earn berths at the elite Taiyuan 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix. Tickets to the GP are limited to one per nation in each weight category Three categories were contested on Day 1, In the W-49kg final, Chinese Taipei’s Tien-yu Jhuang faced Seo-rin Oh from Korea. Oh had been in impressive form throughout the day, not losing a round, but Jhuang proved a different challenge and won the match 2:0. Bronze was won by Thailand’s Kamonchanok Seeken who beat Korea’s Ye-ji Lee. 88

USA Joins Chinese Taipei, Korea, on Muju Gold Medal Podium MUJU, Korea (Jul. 16, 2023)

Muju 2023 World Taekwondo

Dakar 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Challenge Offers Berths to Paris 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix DAKAR, Senegal (Jul. 30, 2023)

Grand-Prix Challenge Team USA won gold on the second day of the Muju Taekwondowon 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Challenge as Korea and Chinese Taipei added further golds to their medal haul. In the M-68kg, an all Korean final paired Sang-ryeol Lee against Kang-eun Seo. Lee won the second round 8-2 to take the gold. Eun-seok Jang of Korea won the bronze medal match against Buyanshagai Enkhbold of Mongolia. In the W-67kg, Kristina Teachout from the USA faced Jui‐

Golds Galore for Chinese Taipei, Korea, on Final Day in Muju MUJU, Korea (Jul. 17, 2023)

en Chang from Chinese Taipei. A closely fought opening round went Chang’s way but Teachout fought back to win the second and third rounds, and gold. Tanya Suh of Korea won bronze, beating Vietnam’s Thi khiem Bac in two rounds. The M-80kg was fought between Chinese Taipeo’s Yujen Huang and Jiun-yi Hung. Huang won the match 2:0. Jack Woody Mercer of Thailand beat Jun-seo Lee 2:1 in the bronze medal match.

After two days of battle in Dakar, Senegal, 16 up-and-coming Taekwondo warriors won tickets to the elite-level Paris 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix. Some 98 athletes ranked below 70th (not including 70th) from 19 countries registered for the Dakar 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Challenge which ran over July 28-29. It was the first Grand-Prix Challenge to take place in Africa, and the third-ever event of its kind. The challenge is a pipeline event, designed to offer up-and-coming players a chance to play against the sport’s elite. The gold and silver Medalists from each weight category won a place to compete at the Paris 2023 World Taekwondo GrandPrix in September. In total this equates to 16 athletes – two each from the eight Olympic weight categories (four male, four female).

The Muju Taekwondowon 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Challenge today finished as it began, with Korea and Chinese Taipei atop the podium. The two nations won the two golds on offer in the W+67kg and M+80kg adding to the five they won on the previous two days. In the W+67kg, Chinese Taipei’s Yun Ci Pan faced Mi-seo Kwon of Korea, who won a tight match. Seung-ju Oh of Korea won the bronze medal match, beating compatriot Gayoon Kim. The M+80kg final was another all-Korean match up with Chan-hui Park facing Ji-min Hyun. Park grabbed gold, 2:0. Dong-ju Lee of Korea won bronze after Refugee Team Athlete Mohammad Emami withdrew. 91

Roma 2023 World Taekwondo

Grand-Prix WATCH VIDEOS

The M+80kg closed the night at the Foro Italico and did not disappoint with both +80kg Caden Cunningham of Great Britain and Nikita Rafalovich aiming to make it a golden double for their countries. After fierce combat, Cunningham closed out the round at 8-4. Determined to wrap things up in two rounds, Cunningham landed body and head kicks for a 14-7 lead and his first-ever Grand-Prix gold medal. In the first semi-final, Cunningham had taken out China’s Zhaoxiang Song after a three-round war. Croatia’s Sapina Ivan, a silver Medalist in Baku, faced Rafalovich. It proved a cagey and close fight, with Rafalovich sealing the deal in the second.

Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

Great Britain, Uzbekistan Storm Podium on Day 1 ROME, Italy (Jun. 9, 2023)

The Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix got off to a roaring start with Uzbekistan’s Ulugbek Rashitov taking gold in the in the M-68kg and Great Britain claiming two gold medals with Jade Jones in the W-57kg and Caden Cunningham in the M+80kg. Silver medals went to Hungary’s Levente Mark Jozsa, Nahid Kiyanichandeh of Iran and Nikita Rafalovich of Uzbekistan, while bronze medals were shared by China, Croatia, Greece, Korea, and the USA. 92

The W-57kg final saw a fierce match-up between reigning World Champion -57kg Nahid Kiyanichandeh and Great Britain’s double Olympic Gold Medalist Jade Jones. The first round got off to a close start. Jones drew ahead and quickly extended her lead with a kick to the body, ending the first round 8-6. Round 2 was also a closely contested affair, with punches and gamjeoms seeing the scores bounce, but Jones took the match, and the fight, 5-2. In the first semi-final, Korea’s Yu-jin Kim had faced Kiyanichandeh of Iran. The Iranian won a tough threeround battle. In the second semi, Jones despatched America’s upand-coming Taekwondo star Faith Dillon.

In the M-68kg final, reigning Olympic Champion Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan took -68kg on Hungary’s Levente Mark Jozsa. Rashitov was on the hunt for his first-ever Grand-Prix gold and did not leave Rome disappointed. The Uzbek fought a smart fight, and, deploying varied technique, won his first Grand-Prix title.

In the first semi-final, Jozsa had met Konstantinos Chamalidis of Greece. Jozsa won a commanding 2:0 win. The second semi saw Rashitov dismiss Marko Golubic of Croatia. The M-68kg ended the first evening of battle in the city of gladiators.

Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

China Claims 2 Golds, Spain 1, on Day 2 ROME, Italy (Jun. 10, 2023)

Day 2 of the Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix did not disappoint, delivering thrilling Taekwondo action that culminated in gold medal triumphs for China and Spain. Jie Song of China won gold in the W-67kg, Adrian Vicente Yunta of Spain topped the podium in the M-58kg, while China’s Lei Xu clinched the final gold medal of the dayin the W+67kg after taking down reigning World Champion Althea Laurin of France. The remaining silvers were well-deserved by Belgium’s Sarah Chaari and Mahdi Hajimousaei of Iran. Bronze medals were split between China, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Iran and Korea. Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) President Francesco Ricci Bitti presented the medals in the W-67kg category. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue then presented a trophy to Ricci Bitti in recognition of ASOIF’s 40th anniversary.

In the W-67kg, China’s Jie Song entered her first-ever major final against Sarah Chaari of Belgium, gold Medalist at the 2022 World -67kg Championship in Guadalajara. Chaari was the first to put points on the score board but Song was impeccable in evading Chaari’s powerful kicks, fought back, and took Round 1, 5-2. The experienced Chaari took control in the second round, winning it 4-0 , taking the final to a deciding round. Round 3 was a cagey affair and the Chinese team challenged Chaari with a successful video review. Song ate a gamjeom in the final second of the round, but won a 3-1 victory. In the first semi-final, World Champion Magda Wiet Henin of France had gone down to Song in the second round. The other semi-final saw a match-up between Chaari and Aya Shehata of Egypt. Chaari finished the business in the second.

40 seconds of the match with Laurin and Zhou trading body kicks. Zhou then landed a kick to the body that proved decisive as she took the round 4-2. The formidable Laurin shifted into gear in round two to win it 7-4 and bring herself back into contention. In the deciding round, Zhou took an early lead until Laurin showed her class and landed blows of her own to get the scoreboard moving to an impressive 14-11 and book her place in another major final. The other semi-final saw a match-up between Great Britain’s Rebecca McGowan, a silver Medalist in Baku, and Xu. The first round was a fierce battle, with both athletes landing blows but it was Xu who took a 6-3 lead after a video review confirmed a head kick. McGowan landed three punches to level the scoreboard 6-6, but two gamjeoms and head kick gave Lei some breathing room and a 11-6 win. Round two was another intense battle, with the lead changing throughout until Lei landed powerful head and body kicks to close out the round 9-6.

Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

Day 2 action was wrapped up with an exciting W+67kg final between +67kg reigning World Champion Althea Laurin of France and China’s Lei Xu, who was making her Grand-Prix final debut. Round 1 saw a cautious start, with both athletes figuring each other out. It was not until the final second that Xu managed to fire in a punch to clinch the opening round 1-0. Xu got off to a quick start with a kick to the head in round two, and her lead was extended to 4-0 when Laurin conceded a gamjeom. Laurin refused to let Xu run away with the gold, landing a head kick to close the gap at 4-3, but Xu quickly shot back with a kick to once again extend her lead to 7-3. A gamjeom against Xu in the final seconds saw her close out the round at 7-4 and claim the gold medal. In the first semi-final, Laurin had taken on China’s Zeqi Zhou. Both athletes came out firing, but it was defense that ruled with the first points not coming until the final

Newcomer Mahdi Hajimousaei of Iran clashed in an intense M-58kg final with Spain’s Vicente Yunta. -58kg Hajimousaei grabbed Round 1, 15-9. The intensity of that round continued in the second - a battle of head kicks that was won by Vicente Yunta, 10-3. The Spaniard came out on top in the third with a 6-4 victory, and Grand-Prix gold. Vicente Yunta had reached the final by overcoming Korea’s Jun Jang in convincing fashion in the first semi-final. The semi-final saw an all-Iranian matchup with newcomers to the senior circuit Abolfazl Zandi and Hajimousaei. However, after the first round got underway it became clear that Zandi was struggling with an injury, resulting in Hajimousaei progressing to his first-ever Grand-Prix final via a walkover.

ROME, Italy (Jun. 11, 2023)

The final day of action at the Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix saw Thailand’s Panipak Wongpattanakit and Saleh Elsharabaty of Jordan claim the final golds on offer at the Foro Italico. In the W-49kg, Wongpattanakit topped the podium to earn her 10th Grand-Prix gold. Silver went to Spain’s Adriana Cerezo Iglesias who was just one step away from defending her Roma 2022 title, while the bronze medals were shared by Iran and China. In the M-80kg, Elsharabaty showed great class to take his second Grand-Prix gold. Iran’s Mehran Barkhordari took the silver, while the bronze medals went to Korea and Norway. In addition, a special ceremony was held before the semi-finals to honour Italy’s Vito Dell’Aquila, who was recognised as the Best Olympic Male Athlete in World Taekwondo’s Best of 2021 awards. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented an awar ceremony in 2021, leaving the Foro Italico in 2022 to provide an ideal setting to celebrate the outstanding Italian athlete who won gold at his Olympic debut in Tokyo.

back with a kick to the body, but the Thai utilised all her experience to hold out and take the round 3-2 and the Roma 2023 gold medal. In the first semi-final, Wongpattanakit had faced 17-yearold Mobina Nematzadeh of Iran. Wongpattanakit’s experience proved too much for the young Iranian, and she took the first round with a 3-1 performance. The second round also went to Wongpattanakit with a score of 8-1, booking her place in familiar territory, a Grand-Prix final. The second semi-final saw Cerezo Iglesias face Qing Guo of China. The opening round went to Cerezo Iglesias who came out firing to take a commanding 8-1 win. In Round 2, Cerezo Iglesias was again in complete control and prevailed 6-2 to book her place in the final.

The M-80kg closed out the Roma 2023 Grand-Prix. The Iranian struck the first -80kg blow with a head kick to edge ahead at 3-0, but a kick to the body from Elsharabaty closed the gap to 3-2. Barkhordari responded with a body kick of his own and the Jordanian gave away a gamjeom for stepping out of the ring to give the Iranian athlete a 6-2 lead. In the closing stages of the round, a video review confirmed that a head kick from Elsharabaty landed to take the score to 6-5. Showing great poise, Barkhordari landed a punch and did enough to land the first round 7-5. Unwilling to let the final slip away, Elsharabaty came out firing in Round 2 landing a head kick, while a gamjeom by the Iranian added to his lead for a 4-0 start. Three gamjeoms conceded by the Jordanian then brought the match to within one point with a few seconds left. Despite landing a punch to level the score, Barkhordari lost the round based on hit registrations, and the final went into a deciding round. The final round was equally intense, with the Jordanian landing a

kick to the body which was later wiped off the board and a gamjeom gave the Iranian the lead. Elsharabaty landed a kick to the head to edge ahead, but trading gamjeoms saw the score board move to 4-2. Barkhordari landed a powerful body kick to level the scores 4-4. However, the experienced Jordanian pulled out all the stops to land a body kick that proved decisive and, despite conceding a gamjeom, he held on at 6-5 to pocket his second Grand-Prix gold. In the first semi-final, Elsharabaty had gone up against Korea’s Geon-woo Seo, who knocked out reigning World Champion and Italian legend Simone Alessio in the quarterfinals, much to the disappointment of the home fans. It was an intense first round with both athletes trading blows, but it was the Jordanian who came out on top to claim the win 16-3. The Korean came back swinging in Round 2, fighting back to draw level and force a decider with a 11-9 performance. After an action-packed deciding round, Elsharabaty came out on top 16-6 to earn his place in the gold medal match. The highly experienced Richard Andre Ordemann of Norway and Barkhordari went head-to-head in the second semi-final. It was a fierce contest, but Barkhordari showed his class to win the first round 12-4. The Iranian got the scoreboard ticking quickly in the second round and, despite Ordemann’s best efforts, Barkhordari took the round 10-3 and progressed to the final. The category wrapped up the Roma 2023 Grand-Prix for another year.

Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

Jordan, Thailand, Grab Last Golds in Roma

The W-49kg final saw a matchup between two-time World Champion Wongpat-49kg tanakit and the defending Rome Grand-Prix Champion Cerezo Iglesias - a repeat of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 final. After remaining scoreless for most of the first round, it was Wongpattanakit who landed a sensational head kick to put the first points on the board, before the Spaniard conceded a gamjeom in the final seconds to give the Thai athlete a 4-0 win. Round 2 was another close affair, but it was Wongpattanakit who opened the scoring with a kick to the body. A gamjeom for holding by Cerezo Iglesias extended Wongpattanakit’s lead to 3-0. The Spaniard fought

Song, Xu and Zhou celebrate Roma 2023’s medal windfall ROME, Italy (Jun. 11, 2023)

Chinese Taekwondo athletes found great success at the Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix with Jie Song, Lei Xu and Zeqi Zhou taking home two golds and one bronze medal, respectively. But their work is just beginning with all three hoping to add to their collection in future events. For Xu, her first Grand-Prix W+67kg gold in her first ever final was an incredible moment; it was made even sweeter as she had to defeat the reigning World Champion, Althea Laurin, to secure her spot on top of the podium. She reflects: “It was like I was dreaming. It was very exciting! This medal has given me a lot of confidence for the future.” Sharing the same sentiment, W-67kg champion Song expressed her happiness and excitement about winning the gold in Roma. However, with numerous competitions on the horizon, as well as qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Song understands the importance of maintaining her focus and drive. “While I am thrilled to win the gold medal, I also realise the need for continuous improvement and growth to perform even better in the upcoming Grand-Prix in Paris,” Song affirmed.

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Completing China’s medal haul was Zhou, who took bronze in the W+67kg category. Zhou faced eventual finalist Laurin in the semi-final which went down to the wire for a deciding third round. Recalling the battle, Zhou shares her thoughts: “Before the round began, I discussed with my coach a lot. It was a tough match and my first-ever Grand-Prix semi-final so honestly, I was very nervous. However, I aim to take this experience into future competitions so that I won’t feel as nervous.” Despite her own semi-final exit, Zhou was delighted to see her teammate and close friend, Xu, succeed in the final. “Of course, we had several discussions before the final, where I shared my insights on Althea’s strategies from our semi-final match,” Zhou commented. Although they compete in the same category, Xu and Zhou maintain a friendly rivalry. “During competitions, we are opponents striving for medals, but after the matches, we remain best friends, supporting and cheering each other on,” Zhou explained. Xu added, “Absolutely,

we are there for each other. During rest periods, we analyse our opponents together to enhance our performance.” Looking ahead, this trio of Chinese athletes is determined to leverage their experiences in Rome and return even stronger. “I need to train more and give my best in every match for future competitions,” expressed Song. Zhou emphasised her commitment, stating, “I am determined to train even harder to enhance my strengths.” Xu concluded, “I will follow my coach’s advice and guidance during training, seeking to expand my knowledge and improve further.” As Song, Xu and Zhou celebrate their achievements, their inspiring journey at the Roma 2023 World Taekwondo GrandPrix highlights the strength of their friendship and unwavering support for each other. With their sights set on even greater heights, these remarkable athletes are poised to make waves in the world of Taekwondo.

Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

FOR CHINESE TRIO, TRIUMPH IS DOWN TO TEAMWORK

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ADRIAN VICENTE YUNTA: Progression, Hard Work Pays off for Spain’s Roma Champ

After years of hard work and semi-finals, it was only a matter of time before Spain’s Adrian Vicente Yunta hung gold around his neck at a World Taekwondo Grand-Prix. The 24-year-old from Spain has been a consistent performer on the senior circuit, with a trophy cabinet that boasts a World Championship bronze and four Grand-Prix bronze medals. The timing of the Roma gold could not have been more perfect as the Spaniard celebrated his 24th birthday just a day after his momentous win. “It feels incredible, and it is the best birthday present that I could have asked for! Of course, I celebrated with my team yesterday, but I will have a proper gold medal and birthday celebration today,” Vicente Yunta beamed. As with most athletes on the tour, there is never much time to revel in victory before attention turns to the next event. Vicente Yunta has already set his sights on reclaiming his European title at the end of this month, after having to settle for bronze in Manchester last year.

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Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

ROME, Italy (Jun. 11, 2023)

“The European Championships are my next focus, and then of course there is the Australian Open in July. Then I will hopefully have a holiday and get some rest before preparing for the Paris Grand-Prix,” said Vicente Yunta. For the Spaniard, trusting the process and relying on his coaches’ expertise are crucial components of his success. He believes that hard work and dedication are the keys to progression, patiently waiting for his time to come while putting his faith in the team behind him. “I think it is all about progression and hard work. Trusting the process and waiting for your time to come, so I knew gold would come,” he stated. Securing the gold at a GrandPrix is never an easy feat. As Vicente Yunta points out, all are competing against the very best athletes in the world. In Rome, he faced a new adversary, 18-year-old Iranian Mahdi Hajimousaei, who had only recently entered the senior circuit. “Yes, he is a new fighter, so it was all about trying to work out his strategies and then, with my coach, creating a plan to beat him,” he explained. Acknowledging that Hajimousaei entered the fight with fresher legs due to a walkover in the semi-final, Vicente Yunta credits his coach and team for positioning him for victory, enabling him to focus solely on his game. Spain’s Taekwondo sensation aspires for his victory in Rome to pave the way for more golds in future events. In particular, he has his sights set on a predictable event that is fast accelerating over the horizon. “If I qualify for Paris 2024, of course I will be looking to get a gold medal,” he said. “I am always fighting for gold medals.”

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Paris 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

WATCH VIDEOS

Golds for Great Britain, Iran, Turkiye on Day 1 of Paris Grand-Prix PARIS, France (Sept. 1, 2023)

Great Britain, Iran and Turkiye came away with the gold medals on the opening day of the Paris 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix. Turkiye’s Merve Dincel, fresh from becoming World Champion in Baku in May, won the gold in the W-49kg. In the M-58kg, Iran’s Mahdi Hajimousaei managed to upgrade the silver medal he won at the Roma 2023 Grand-Prix to gold. And in the W-49kg, Great Britain’s serial winner Jade Jones continued where she left off at Roma 2023 and won her second Grand-Prix gold of the year.

The M-58kg final brought together two Iranian 19-year-olds: Abolfazl Zandi and Mahdi Hajimousaei. Zandi had to withdraw before the fight began, leaving gold to his team mate. Zandi had caused an upset in the semis, having beaten Tokyo 2020 Silver Medalist Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi from Egypt, 2-0. Jendoubi has won four Grand-Prix silver and now two bronze. In the second semi, Hajimousaei overcame Bailey Lewis from Australia on the way to the final.

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In the last final of the night Jones faced China’s five-time Grand-Prix champion and long-time rival Zongshi Luo. It was tough stuff: Jones won Round 1, 10-4. In the second, Luo came out immediately on the attack but Jones dodged and put her famed head kick to good use. A spinning head kick from Luo made for a nail-biting finish but Jones won the round 7-5 to take gold. Luo had beaten former Youth World Champion Aailyah Powell of Great Britain 2:0 in the first semi, leaving Powell with her first ever Grand-Prix bronze medal. Jones faced a tough test in her semi-final, beating Hatice Kubra Ilgun of Turkiye.

-49kg

The first final of the Grand-Prix drew Dincel against Tokyo 2020 silver Medalist Adriana Cerezo Iglesias of Spain. Round 1 was tight: With just seconds to go Dincel managed to break through the defence and land a punch to bring the scores to 1-1 and win the round courtesy of superiority. The second round followed a similar pattern and looked set to finish 0-0 but with one second on the clock Dincel landed to the head to win both the round and the gold. Cerezo Iglesias was left with Paris silver to add to the silver she won in Roma. Cerezo Iglesias had battled into the final after a hard-fought, threeround win against Iran’s Mobina Nematzadeh in the semi-final. Dincel had a slightly smoother route to the final as she beat China’s Xiaolu Wang 2:0 in the second of the semi finals. For Wang it is her first Grand-Prix bronze medal; for Nematzadeh it is her second after winning in Rome.

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China, Iran, Uzbekistan Grab Grand-Prix Golds on Day 2 in Paris

World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

PARIS, France (Sept. 2, 2023)

It was Asia all the way on the second day of the Paris 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix as China, Iran and Uzbekistan grabbed the three gold medals available. Uzbekistan’s Ulugbek Rashitov showed why he is Olympic champion as he built on the gold he won at the Roma GP to win again in Paris in the M-68kg. China’s Mengyu Zhang won her first Grand-Prix gold since 2018, overcaming compatriot Jie Song in the W-67kg. Iran’s Mehran Barkhordari came into the tournament having won one Grand-Prix silver in his career but upgraded that to his first ever gold in Paris in the M-80kg. Former UN Secretary General and current IOC Ethics Commission Chair Ban-ki Moon was in attendance at the finals and presented medals to the W-67kg winners.

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Olympic Champion Rashitov and Brazil’s Edival Pontes contested the first final of the night. Both started on the front foot, trying to find gaps in the other’s defence. Rashitov opened the scoring with a strong punch and the round ended 5-1 in the Uzbek’s favour. In the second, an early counter push kick gave Rashitov a 2-0 lead. He followed it up quickly with ax and spinning kicks, dropping his opponent and earning a decisive 13-0 lead. Pontes recognised he did not have enough fuel in the tank and applauded Rashitov on his victory in the round’s dying seconds. It is the Brazilian’s first Grand-Prix silver. In the semis, Rashitov had defeated Croatia’s Mark Golubic while Pontes took out Jordan’s Zaid Alhalawani.

-67kg

The W-67kg was an all-Chinese final as Zhang faced Song, who had won gold at the Roma 2023 Grand-Prix. With 15 seconds remaining in Round 1, Song landed two head kicks and won the round, 6-3. However, Song was injured in the action, forcing her to withdraw leaving Zhang with the gold. Song had defeated France’s World Champion Magda Wiet Henin in the semi-final despite enthusiastic support from the home crowd. Zhang came up against Korea’s former youth World Champion Hyo-rim Hong in the second of the semi finals, winning in the second round.

Barkhordari faced Greece’s Apostolos Telikostoglou in the final of the M-80kg. Neither fighter wasted any time in trying to land points, and Round 1 ended with the Iranian ahead 8-6. In the second started slower, but the Greek stayed in the game, winning Round 2, 9-7. Barkhordari shook off the disappointment of the second round and stormed into the third with punches and head kicks, winning it 12-0. Telikostoglou’s silver medal is his first medal at the Grand-Prix. Telikostoglou had taken out Turkiye’s Muhammed Emin Yildiz on the way to the final. The second semi saw Barkhordari defeat Team USA’s World Championships Silver Medalist Carl Alan Nickolas over two rounds.

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World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

Last Golds of Paris GP Go to Cote d’Ivoire, Hometown Heroine PARIS, France (Sept. 3, 2023)

The final day of the Paris 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix delivered breath-taking matches and tense finishes with Cote d’Ivoire and France finishing on top of the podiums. Home favourite Althea Laurin won gold in the W+67kg giving the enthusiastic crowd what they had been hoping for over the last three days.Her first Grand-Prix gold adds to the world title she won in Baku earlier this year. In the M+80kg, serial winner Cheick Sallah Cisse of Cote d’Ivoire added a sixth gold to his Grand-Prix collection, continuing a successful year that includes World Championship gold.

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Laurin faced Great Britain’s Rebecca McGowan in the final in what was one of the most entertaining fights of the Grand-Prix. Action was hectic: Round 1 ended 12-17 to McGowan. Laurin came back out fighting and an explosive second round finished 14-10 to the Frenchwoman. In the last round, Laurin found her range and landed to both head and body, winning the third and the gold 12-0 to the delight of the crowd. It was a first silver medal for McGowan at a Grand-Prix. Laurin had met Turkiye’s 2022 Youth World Champion Sude Yaren Uzuncavdar in the semi-final. Laurin’s experience shone through as she won the match 2-0. McGowan faced former world champion and multiple Grand-Prix gold medalist Da-bin Lee of Korea in her semi final. Lee was forced to retire, handing the win to McGowan

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In the M+80kg it was experience versus youth as 29-yearold Cisse faced 20-year-old Caden Cunningham of Great Britain. A messy first round finished 1-1 to Cisse on higher hit registrations. Cisse took the lead in the second round with punches and gamjeoms. Cunningham landed to Cisse’s body, but was no match for his experience and it ended with gold for Cisse. The first semi-final was a repeat of the semi-final from this year’s World Championships as Cisse narrowly defeated Pasko Bozic of Croatia. Cunningham beat Mexico’s World Championships silver medalist Carlos Sansores in the second semi in an energy-sapping three-round fight.

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World Taekwondo Grand-Prix

Merve Dincel Pays into Turkiye’s Golden 2023 PARIS, France (Sept. 2, 2023)

It has been a year to remember for Turkish Taekwondo and Merve Dincel ensured the good news kept coming at the Paris 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix. The young athlete came into Paris on excellent form having won gold at the World Championships in Baku, where she also picked up the women’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Talking Taekwondo, Dincel is as confident and to the point as she is when she is fighting Taekwondo. “I deserved it!” she says, reflecting on her latest GrandPrix gold. It is a statement which is hard to contest when you consider she did not drop a single round on her way to the top of the podium. Dincel faced Tokyo 2020 Silver Medalist Adriana Cerezo Iglesias in the final of the W-49kg. The two fighters are very familiar with each other: This year alone they have faced each other at the European Games, at the World Championships, and at the Belgian Open. In two out of those three occasions it was Dincel who came out on top. That gave her confidence ahead of the final in Paris. “We know each other. But she is so smart and strategic. She changes her skills and so I change mine,” Dincel says of her Spanish competitor. Those change of skills were clear during Dincel’s matches as she seamlessly merged aggressive attack with patient defence. “It is just strategy,” Dincel says. But as everyone knows, developing a strategy is one thing. Executing it is quite another. Right now, it feels not much can go wrong for Dincel and she seems to be peaking just at the right time with Paris 2024 on the horizon. Olympic glory is clearly a key driver. “I am hungry for Olympic victory,” she says. My coach [Servet Tazegul] is an Olympic champion and I want to be an Olympic gold Medalist, too.” Of course, there are no guarantees in sport - especially not in Taekwondo, which is famously unpredictable. But if Dincel can take her current form into her debut Olympic Games she will definitely be in contention to win. Unsurprisingly that is something she backs herself to do. “I am the best one now, I know all my competitors,” she said. “I am so confident about winning.”

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Top-seeded Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi of Tunisia took on third-ranked Jun Jang of Korea in a clash of styles. Jendoubi is a long, leggy headhunter. Jang is an accurate kicker with excellent defensive footwork. Round 1 was a scrappy, clinch-heavy affair. Jang won after landing just one kick. In the second, Jenboubi swiftly found the range, landing his arcing head kick to capture and hold an early lead All would be decided in the third. Jenboudi’s head kick drew first blood. Jang returned fire, evened the scores and drew ahead - before it was levelled at six points each with 20 seconds left. Those seconds were fast and furious, with the referee working overtime. It ended with Jendoubi’s crescent kick grabbing gold. Jang, who had fought just days prior at the Hangzhou Asian Games, took well-deserved silver. Bronzes went to Tae-joon Park of Korea and Adrian Vicente Yunta of Spain.

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Canada, Thailand, Tunisia Grab Golds on Day 1 in ‘Dragon City’ TAIYUAN, China (Oct. 10, 2023)

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The final pitted Thailand’s Youth Olympic and Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist Panipak Wongpattankit against China’s 6th ranked Qing Guo. Wongpattanakit opened the scoring, going three points up, then Guo lost her video replay card with a failed IVR challenge. Round 1 to the Thai. In the second, two punches put Guo briefly ahead, but the Thai landed head and body kicks. A thrusting side kick in the last seconds of Round 2 sealed the deal for Wongpattanakit, who looks unbeatable on present form. Madinabonu Mannopova of Uzbekistan and Korea’s Mi-eu Kang had to settle for bronzes.

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WATCH VIDEOS

Athletes from Canada, Thailand and Tunisia emerged triumphant on the first day of the Taiyuan Grand-Prix - the penultimate Grand-Prix of the year. The central Chinese city’s Shanxi Sports Center is hosting 255 Taekwondoin from 50 nations, over three days. With Paris 2024 drawing ever-closer, action in Taiyuan – known as “Dragon City” - was expected to be intense with valuable Olympic ranking points up for grabs. That expectation proved correct. Following an opening ceremony highlighted by performances from a local percussion-dance troupe, and the famous WT Demo Team, the finals in two of three weight classes sizzled.

The gold medal matched pitted Iranian World Champion Nahid Kiyanichandeh against popular Canadian Skylar Park, a third-generation Taekwondoin. Round 1 saw both athletes deploying clean, but powerful, long-range technique, and hunting the head. It was won by the Iranian. In the second, Park aggressed with a body kick and a head kick . An IVR took the Iranian ahead - until Park landed a game changer in the final second. Round 3 was fierce action - powerful kicks, falls – but the Iranian was ahead 7-6 with less than one second remaining after a stoppage. Park attacked immediately – and landed to the body for a one-point win. Kiyanichandeh dropped to her knees in dismay: Gold medal finals don’t get more dramatic than this. Korean Ah-reum Lee and AIN Tatiana Minina took the category’s bronzes.

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Day 2: Korea, Serbia, Tunisia, Strike Gold TAIYUAN, China (Oct. 11, 2023)

When the smoke had cleared at Taiyuan’s Shanxi Sports Center on Day 2, fighters from Korea, Serbia and Tunisia had struck gold. The latter was the second gold of the Grand-Prix for the North African nation. As the Tokyo 2020 generation passes, the second day in the Taiyuan Grand-Prix saw rising stars stake out their positions. It also saw two intense and interesting matches that pitted tall against short – with very different outcomes.

Serbia’s Aleksandra Perisic, who won silver at the 2022 Guadalajara Worlds and at the 2022 Manchester GP, faced off against Belgium’s Sarah Chaari. Chaari holds silver from the 2023 Roma GP and golds from the 2023 European Games and 2022 Guadalajara Worlds. Chaari had a major height advantage, but Perisic had already dispatched a taller player in the semis. Perisic took Round 1 via smart distancing and close play that frustrated Chaari, who failed to score. In the second, Chaari sought to reassert herself and fight forward, but the Serb took the lead, landing with power and threatening to the head. Things got close and rough as Chaari equalized in the last seconds but Perisic took the round – and the gold – on superiority. Bronze medals went to Elizabeth Oluchi Anyanacho of Nigeria and Julyana Al-Sadeq of Jordan.

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The final pitted Souleyman Alaphilippe of France against Korea’s Ho-jun Jin. Jin was fresh from his bronze medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games; his trophy cabinet also holds gold from the Manchester 2022 GP and silver from the Baku 2022 Worlds. Alaphilippe is a dark horse, having yet to impact elite-level competition. Combat commenced with both men going for the body. Jin drew ahead with accurate, consistent kicks to take Round 1. In the second, the Frenchman adopted more flamboyant technique and briefly won a lead, but the Korean regained it and won the round – and the gold – with a cool-headed defensive performance in the final seconds. Still, good play by Alanphilippe - clearly a face to watch. Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan and Javier Perez Polo of Spain took home the bronzes.

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Rising star Firas Katousi of Tunisia, bronze medalist at the 2022 Guadalajara Worlds, took on Geon-woo Seo of Korea. Seo is a new Grand-Prix threat, having won bronze at Roma 2023, silver at Riyadh 2022 and gold at Manchester 2022. Katousi towered over the Korean, but Seo showcased varied technique and offensive play. Katousi was less active but more accurate, taking Round 1. In the second, the Tunisian moved ahead and Seo equalized, then jumped ahead on the board - a process that repeated as the round proceeded. Seo scraped a tight win. In Round 3, Seo opened the board with a punch and kept Katousi on the back foot. Fireworks were unleashed when Seo ducked one crescent kick to the head – only to be hit with the other foot, and then another. Katousi had finally found his head-kick range, going 6-1 up, then 9-3. The last 20 seconds were a blur of flying feet, but Katousi held Seo off for a 16-10 victory. Jasurbek Jaysunov of Uzbekistan and CJ Nickolas of USA - who had earlier delighted the crowd with his spectacular play in the semis - won bronzes.

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AIN, China, Win Last Golds in ‘Dragon City’ TAIYUAN, China (Oct. 12, 2023)

On the third and final day of the Taiyuan Grand-Prix, China and AIN emerged with the last two golds of the competition. With Paris 2024 just around the corner, and precious ranking points on the table at the Shanxi Sports Center, the previous two days’ finals had delivered intense matches. Tonight continued the tradition with two banging bouts.

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The final pitted AIN Vladislav Larin against two-time World Champion Nikita Rafalovich of Uzbekistan. Round 1 started slow, with both players faking and trying to find the range, but the AIN took an early lead. That was swiftly equalized by Rafalovich, who won Round 1 on superiority. In the second, Larin scored two points to the trunk - enough to clinch Round 2. Round 3 saw the AIN land a back kick that forced Rafalovich out and down. His score rose to 9-1 after an intense edge-of-mats clinch. Furious technique flew and the crowd gasped in the last seconds, but it was Larin all the way for the gold. Bronzes were won by Korea’s Sang-hyun Kang and Croatia’s Ivan Sapina.

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The category final saw Sude Yaren Uzuncavdar of Turkiye fighting Lei Xu of China.The Turk is a phenom. She won gold at the World Junior Championships in Sofia in 2022, transitioned to the seniors, and won the Riyadh Grand-Prix the same year. Xu is a relative newcomer, with one GP gold under her belt, from Roma 2023, but has a major height advantage over Uzuncavdar. Round 1 started slowly, but as the crowd got behind Xu, she landed first, 2-0. The Turk put the pressure on, forcing Xu backwards. But she failed to land her head kick and lost a stream of points as Xu fired conservative, but accurate, strikes to the trunk to take the round. In Round 2 the Turk went all in, attacking forward and grabbing an early lead, forcing Xu off-mats. Xu returned fire, hitting the head. Battle continued with forward pressure from the Turk and Xu fighting brilliantly off the back foot - winning gold with a second-round victory. Da-bin Lee of Korea and Lorena Brandl of Germany went home with bronzes.

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MOHAMED KHALIL JENDOUBI:

Tunisian Lion Roars in Taiyuan TAIYUAN, China (Oct. 11, 2023)

There are no killer cats stalking the hot sands of North Africa, but don’t tell that to Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi. “We don’t have lion in Tunisia,” he said. “That’s me!” The 21-year-old resident of his country’s Olympic City has plenty to roar about, following his Oct. 10 battle in the final of the M-58kg category against Korean superstar Jun Jang. It was a clash of styles. Jendoubi is a long, leggy headhunter. Jang is an all-rounder: an accurate kicker with excellent defensive footwork. Round 1 was a messy, low-scoring affair with both men trying varied techniques but clashing into clinches. Jang won after landing just one kick. Action accelerated in the second after Jenboubi swiftly found the range, landing an arcing head kick to capture an early lead – which he maintained for the rest of the round. All would be decided in the third. Jenboudi’s head kick drew first blood. Jang returned fire, evened the scores and drew ahead - before it was levelled at six points each with 20 seconds left to play. Those seconds were fast and furious with the referee working overtime to separate both men as they repeatedly clashed into the clinch with simultaneous attacks. It ended with Jendoubi’s crescent kick sealing the victory. “I was so happy, so proud of our work in the last months,” he said. “I was so tired.” It had been a long, hard day. “Yesterday was a difficult competition,” he recalled. “We had a hard draw, with such strong athletes, from the first match to the final.” With his tall, leggy physique, Jendoubi is custom built for the sport. He is also custom trained: He started Taekwondo at age four under the coaching of his father - a relationship which continues to this day - and currently wears a third dan black belt. He credits his long legs and high, arcing crescent kick, which he deploys to the head from both all ranges, with his win.

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“I can use the crescent kick right and left, it is the favorite kick in my Taekwondo,” he said. “Height, speed and timing of kicks are my advantages.” Those kicks were plain for all to see, but Jendoubi is reluctant to discuss his game plan against Jang. “It’s a secret!” he said. “I’ll fight him again!” That looks certain, given the long shadow that Jang – who was fighting in Taiyuan immediately after capturing Asia Games gold in Hangzhou - casts over the category “He was a strong fighter in the final, he is a very good athlete,” Jendoubi said of Jang. “I was always watching him when he fought before, and now I fought with him and beat him yesterday.” Having seized silver in Tokyo, Jendoubi is a fixture on the top-level circuit. But Taiyuan was his first Grand-Prix victory. “I have four silvers and one bronze at the GP,” he said. “Now, this is my first gold!” Like many athletes, Jendoubi - who, when he is not on the mats is studying for a degree in sport - is focused on the next competition rather than the long-term future. “I’ll be fighting in Manchester at the GP Final and after we will take some rest, and maybe a training camp,” he said. “It’s good, preparing for the big dream.”

Preparing is something he thinks about a great deal. His favorite viewing is the hit Netflix series “Lupin” about a French super thief. “He is such a smart man,” Jendoubi said. “When he does something he prepares everything.” Paris will be his third Olympics: In addition to Tokyo 2020 silver, he won Youth Olympic bronze in Buenos Aires 2018. So the “big dream” is – what? “I want to get the third Olympics medal - I will be ready,” he said. “Minimum, I want – Inshallah - to get to the final.” That is going to take a colossal amount of training, but he knows that despite all his blood, sweat and tears, Taekwondo cannot offer the financial rewards of mainstream sports with mass viewerships. However, having started the Way of Foot and Fist soon after he learned to walk, he is not complaining. “Taekwondo is not like Basketball, but I like this sport and would not change it for anything,” he said. “I like what I do: If I am not training, I don’t feel good.” 119

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NAHID KIYANICHANDEH:

‘Now is the Moment’ TAIYUAN, China (Oct. 11, 2023)

Life can change in an instant – and so can Taekwondo. Nahid Kiyanichandeh knows this all too well. Twice, the Iranian was within a split second of clinching a gold medal victory at the Taiyuan GrandPrix. Twice, fortune shifted. The finals of the W-57kg matched pitted World Champion Kiyanichandeh against popular Canadian Skylar Park, a third-generation Taekwondoin. Round 1 saw both athletes deploying clean, powerful, long-range technique, and both hunting the head. But the Iranian was clearly dominant and took the round. In Round 2, Park aggressed with a body kick and a head kick going five up, but after an IVR, it was the Iranian who once again drew ahead. If she could maintain that lead, the match – and the gold – would be hers under the “best of three” system. But Park landed a game changer in the final second, taking the game to the third. Round 3 was fierce action - powerful kicks, falls – but the Iranian, yet again, took the lead. Park’s dad/ coach requested an IVR. Granted - but the board was still 7-5 to the Iranian. Six seconds left. Park drove Kiyanichandeh off the mats. Score: 7-6 to the Iranian. Less than one second remained. The order to fight was given. Park attacked immediately – and landed to the body for a one-point win. Kiyanichandeh dropped to her knees in dismay. Finishes don’t get more dramatic than this. A silver at this level of competition is a fine feat, but the 25-year-old Tehran native, speaking the day after the match, admitted her inner agony. “Since yesterday, I have seen that moment running through my mind more than 100 times,” Kiyanichandeh said. “What could I have done to change the result?”

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Making things doubly dire was that Kiyanichandeh had, in the past, generated game-changing, last-second plays herself. “Taekwondo is a sport of the moment and I have won many matches like that, I have changed the result!” she said. “In the future, I will be more careful about the last moment.” Still, the future looks bright. Recent shifts in circumstances have lifted her fortunes in Taekwondo. Kiyanichandeh has a long competitive background, having learned the ropes of international competition in both juniors and cadets, before graduating to the seniors. She qualified for, and fought at both the 2019 Worlds in Manchester and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In both cases, she went home without a medal. But things were changing. Just prior to Tokyo, Kiyanichandeh had stepped up in weight, fighting at W-57kg. “I feel much better at this category,” she said. “After the Tokyo Olympics I felt that medal belonged to me - I had to grab it.” Post-Tokyo, new leadership came to the national team and Kiyanichandeh got a new coach: Minoo Madah. “She helped me mentally a lot,” Kiyanichandeh said. “She helped me to believe in myself and showed me that you can reach everything.” The combination of ingredients proved to be the secret sauce. Suddenly, the also-ran was bringing home precious medal in elite- level competition. Kiyanichandeh has won (deep breath): Gold at the 2022 Chuncheon Asian Championships; gold at the Baku 2023 World Championships; silver at the Roma 2023 Grand-Prix; gold at the Chengdu 2021 Summer World University Games; and silver at the Taiyuan 2023 Grand-Prix.

In short: She is one of the top players in the women’s division. Kiyanichandeh’s moment is now. She attributes her current attitude and character to the long time she spent in the medal wilderness. “I never give up,” she said. “Sometimes I lose, but I never get tired, I come back as strong as possible.” At her physical peak and without any chronic injuries, she plans to compete as often as possible in the run up to Paris 2024. There, she has two connected aims: To win gold, and to make her parents proud. In fact, her career is due to her mother. Kiyanichandeh’s journey in the sport started when her mother bought her a Taekwondo uniform when she was eight. Fast forward to today, and the 25-year-old has no regrets about the life choices that purchase initiated. “Since I started to do Taekwondo, I have continued it and many things have happened and many doors have opened to me - many possibilities,” she said. “Anything can happen.”

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ALEKSANDRA PERISIC: Taekwondo vs ‘Tallkwondo’ TAIYUAN, China (Oct. 12, 2023)

One of the core, classic reasons for anyone to take up a martial art is to defend against a bigger attacker. Meet a master of that protocol: Serbian giant killer Aleksandra “Perka” Perisic. In the finals of the W-67kg at the Taiyuan GrandPrix, Perisic, whose previous career highlights were silvers at the Guadalajara 2022 Worlds and at the Manchester 2022 GP, faced off against Belgium’s Sarah Chaari. Chaari holds silver from the Roma 2023 GP and gold from the Guadalajara 2022 Worlds. Perhaps even more significantly, Chaari towered over Perisic with well over a head in height advantage. That matters: Leg length is a definitive plus in Taekwondo. But once combat began, Perisic asserted control from the outset, taking Round 1 via smart distancing and close-in play that confounded the kicks of Chaari, who failed to score a point. In the second, the frustrated Belgian sought to reassert herself and fight forward, but the Serb again took the lead, controlling the distance, impacting with power and – remarkably - threatening Chaari’s distant head with her high kick. Things got close and rough as Chaari equalized in the last seconds. But it was Perisic who took the round – and the gold – on superiority, for the biggest victory of her career so far. “I was like, “Aaaaahhhh,’ I finally made it!” said a delighted Perisic – who, in 2019 had suffered an injury that almost severed her relationship with Taekwondo. “But that was not my best performance! I can do a lot more!” If the best is yet to come, that almost certainly means rematches against those tall, leggy opponents. But slaying giants is a Perisic specialty. In the semis, she had fought another player with a head in height advantage, Elizabeth Oluchi Anyanacho of Nigeria – and disposed of her in two rounds.

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So: What is the secret? “The game plan was to block the long kicks and shorten the distance,” said Perisic’s coach, Petra Butala. “Aleksandra has ‘light legs ‘so can kick many times and is very strong. We try to incorporate all that into our tactics.” Those tactics look bang on. Of the Serb’s five fights in Taiyuan, four were won within two rounds - meaning she lost just one round in the entire competition. She is also proof positive that Serbia’s game is expanding. The country’s Taekwondo has, since the London 2012 Olympics, been led by Coach Dragan Jovic’s now-famous Galeb Gym, a veritable factory of champions. But Perisic and Butala both hail from Belgrade’s competing Azija Gym. “Galeb made a great road for us,” Butala admits. “But there is not just one club, and there is a new energy we brought.” Belgrade-native Perisic started the game at age four – following an elder sibling into Taekwondo. “My sister stated and then I joined, I fell in love with it, and since then, everything else is history,” she said. Now 21, she has a bulging technical repertoire. “I can kick multiple times in the air,” she said. “That is what I use in my hardest fights.” In addition to flexibility – what Butala calls “light legs” - she boasts upper-body power; an unusual combination of gifts. “Her physical preparation is really good,” said her coach, who has known her student since she was 10. “There is nothing she is unable to do.” But sport is not just about physicality. “I’m willing to leave my heart on the mats,” Perisic said. That should not be necessary. However, she almost left her right leg on them. In 2019, she broke the front collateral ligaments in her right leg. “It was so painful,” she said. “I did not know if I could come back.”

Her coach had different ideas. “I told her I wanted to come to the training hall every day and watch,” she said. “I knew that if I did not have her in team training every day, sitting with me and doing recovery movements, she would probably give up.” They were hard days. Meanwhile, her enforced inactivity forced her position in the rankings way down to the 170s. “We were nowhere!” her coach said. “But I told her we would make it.” Victory in Taiyuan suggests recovery is complete. Now Perisic has “one leg in Paris” but plans to fight through the year-end in hopes of enough ranking points to take her to the Summer Games without going through the grueling qualification fights. “We don’t want to settle for this [victory] we want more points,” Butala said. “We don’t want to go to the Olympics as tourists - we want to grab a medal.” One thing Perisic will be taking with her on the path to Paris is a message tattooed on her right lower leg - a message that is her de facto motto. It recalls her toughest bout ever – the agonizing process of injury, rehabilitation, retraining and fighting back to the top. It reads: “The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow.”

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WATCH VIDEOS

MANCHESTER, UK (Dec. 2, 2023)

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The opening day of the Manchester 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Final dazzled spectators with jaw-dropping action and performances, culminating in athletes from China, Hungary, Italy, Korea and Thailand securing gold. Vito Dell’Aquila of Italy won the title in the M-58kg to add to his growing collection which includes Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and World Championships 2022 golds. Tokyo 2020 Champion Panipak Wongpattanakit of Thailand finished the season in style by triumphing in the W-49kg. Levente Mark Jozsa of Hungary stole the show in the M-68kg to claim his first-ever Grand-Prix gold, and Zongshi Luo of China successfully defended her Grand-Prix Final gold from Riyadh 2022 in the W-57kg. In the M-80kg, Korea’s Geon-woo Seo again saw success in Manchester to claim the title, having won last year’s Grand-Prix stop in the city. International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons, who yesterday attended the Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix, awarded medals during the podium ceremony.

Dell’Aquila of Italy faced Spain’s Adrian Vicente Yunta in the final of the category. It proved a fierce battle. The Italian got the scoreboard ticking 2-0 with a kick to the body, a tactic he would repeat again and again to take Round 1, 10-2. In Round 2, after a scoreless first minute, the Spaniard landed to the body, 2-0. Not to be outdone, the Italian responded with a head kick to regain the lead and, ultimately, take the round 4-2, leading him to the top of the medal podium. 2023 World Championship Silver Medalist Hugo Arillo Vazquez of Spain claimed bronze after Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi of Tunisia withdrew. In the semis, Dell’Aquila had taken out Spain’s Arillo Vazquez. In the second semi-final, Vicente Yunta had beaten Jendoubi in a tough, close contest.

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In a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic final, Thai gold medalist Panipak Wongpattanakit faced silver Medalist Adriana Cerezo Iglesias of Spain in a battle for Manchester gold. Round 1 remained scoreless until the final 30 seconds when Wongpattanakit landed a head kick and forced two gamjeoms to take the round 5-2. In the second, Cerezo Iglesias came out firing, but the the Thai put on a defensive masterclass, then connected with two body kicks while the Spaniard lost a gamjeom.

Despite conceding two gamjeoms in the final seconds, the Thai warrior took the round and Grand-Prix Final gold. The bronze medal match saw a battle between the 2022 and 2023 World Champions Daniela Paola Souza of Mexico and Merve Dincel Kavurat of Turkiye, respectively. Dincel Kavurat won convincingly in the second round. Wongpattanakit had defeated Souza in one semi-final, while Cerezo Iglesias had taken out Dincel Kavurat in the other.

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In his first-ever Grand-Prix final, Hungary’s rising star Levente Mark Jozsa took on Spain’s Javier Perez Polo. Both athletes came out firing in the first round, but the scoreboard remained at 0-0 until the final seconds when Jozsa landed a kick to the body and the Spaniard conceded two gamjeoms to give Jozsa the round. The Spaniard fought back in a tied Round 2, which Perez Polo won based on superiority. The

deciding round was a tight duel of kicks, which the Hungarian took, 4-3 , for his first-ever Grand-Prix gold. Riyadh 2022 Grand-Prix Final Gold Medalist Zaid Kareem of Jordan won bronze following fellow Jordanian Zaid Alhalawani’s withdrawal. Jozsa had gone head-to-head with Kareem in the semi-final, downing the defending champion. In the other semi-final, Perez Polo bested Alhalawani in a tense 2-1 battle.

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In the W-57kg final, 2022 World Champion and reigning Riyadh 2022 Grand-Prix Final Winner Zongshi Luo of China faced the USA’s Faith Dillon. It was a thrilling contest. Luo opened with a flurry of blows to take a quick 12-0 lead, and her head kick continued its work, racking up a whopping 19-2 first round win. In Round 2, Luo opened the scoring with body and multiple head kicks but, not prepared to go down without a fight, Dillon gained her first lead of the match after an exchange of blows took the score to 11-13. The formidable Luo did not stay down for long, however, as she landed kicks and forced a gamjeom . In a final statement, Luo connected to the head, ending the bout in Round 2 with a 21-13 score and successfully defending her Grand-Prix Final title. Home favourite Aaliyah Powell took bronze following Chinese Taipei’s Chia-ling Lo’s withdrawal. In the first semi-final, Dillon had taken out Powell of Great Britain. Luo of China met Chinese Taipei’s Lo in the other semi, winning a 2-0 victory.

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Geon-woo Seo of Korea went head-to-head with Egypt’s Seif Eissa in an electric M-80kg final to close out a busy Day 1 in Manchester. In Round 1, the Egyptian connected first with a kick to the head, and stayed ahead, 12-4, after a fine display of technique from both players. Round 2 was a completely different story as Seo opened the scoring with a body kick and punch to take a 3-0 lead. The Korean kept up the pressure to grab the round, 15-2. In an intense decider, Seo’s stamina took him

the distance while his technique delivered the points. He finished Round 3 with an impressive 22-13 victory - and the gold. In the bronze-medal match, Tokyo 2020 Silver Medalist CJ Nickolas of the USA won bronze after facing Jordan’s two-time Grand-Prix gold Medalist Saleh Elsharabaty. Seo had earlier defeated Elsharabaty in one semi-final, leaving Eissa to overcame Nickolas in the other.

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Rio Olympic Gold Medalist Cheick Sallah Cisse of Cote d’Ivoire put on a show in a fierce M+80kg gold medal match against Maicon Siqueira of Brazil. Siqueira started fast, landing two body kicks to take a 0-4 lead. Cisse responded with a body kick to close the gap to 2-4, before taking the lead, 5-4, after a video reply confirmed a head kick. The scoreboard finished level at 7-7, but it was the Ivorian who took the round on superiority. In an intense second round, both athletes came out aggressively taking the board to 4-4 before a flurry of intense action saw Cisse seize a 10-7 lead. The Brazilian fought back, but in the closing 20 seconds, Cisse held the lead to claim his seventh Grand-Prix gold. An excellent season end for this always popular, gold-laden fighter. Spain’s Ivan Garcia Martinez claimed bronze following Croatia’s Pasko Bozic’s withdrawal from the contest.

MANCHESTER, UK (Dec. 3, 2023)

On the second and last day of the Manchester 2023 World Taekwondo GrandPrix Final, athletes from Belgium, Cote d’Ivoire and Korea emerged victorious. Claiming gold in the W-67kg final was Belgium’s Sarah Chaari, back on top following her 2022 World Championships victory. Ivorian sensation and reigning World Champion Cheick Sallah Cisse emerged victorious in the M+80kg, adding a seventh Grand-Prix gold to his tally. Da-bin Lee of Korea took the last gold on offer in the W+67kg - the fifth in her ever-growing collection.

-67kg

In the category’s final, Belgium’s Sarah Chaari faced China’s Mengyu Zhang, who had defeated reigning World Champion Magda Wiet Henin of France in the quarterfinals. In Round 1, the scores remained level until the final minute when Chaari landed a punch and a kick to the body to take a 3-0 lead. Her lead was extended further after Zhang conceded a gamjeom, 4-0. Zhang fought hard to close the gap, connecting with two body kicks to take it to 4-4, but Chaari quickly responded with a kick to the body to claim the round 6-4. The Belgian could taste victory. In the second round, she went into overdrive, overwhelming Zhang with a series of blows to take it to 16-4 and Grand-Prix Final gold. Meng took the silver and the bronze was won by Julyana Al-Sadeq of Jordan, who defeated 2022 World Championships Silver Medalist Aleksandra Perisic of Serbia.

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In the W+67kg final, Da-bin Lee of Korea claimed gold without a fight after home-town favourite Rebecca McGowan was unfortunately forced to withdraw due to injury. In the all-French bronze medal contest, reigning World Champion Althea Laurin met Solene Avoulette. The latter had earlier defeated another hometown favorite in the category, multiple World and Grand-Prix Champion Bianca Cook. Luarin took home bronze after a hard-fought match against her compatriot, that went all the way to the third round.

MANCHESTER 2023 WORLD GRAND-PRIX TAEKWONDO FINAL GRAND-PRIX FINAL

Belgium, Cote d’Ivoire, Korea, Land Last Golds of 2023 Grand-Prix Season

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World Taekwondo

Grand Slam Champions Series

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China, Iran, Uzbekistan Grab Golds at Wuxi 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series WUXI, China (Apr. 2, 2023)

W-49kg Ju Zuo The opening day of the Wuxi 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series delivered breath-taking Taekwondo and thrilling contests. Ju Zuo and Jie Song ensured it was a day to remember for the home crowd as the two compatriots won gold in the W-49kg and W-67kg respectively. On the men’s side, Uzbekistan’s Ulugbek Rashitov won gold in the M-68kg and Iran’s Arian Salimi claimed top honours in the M+80kg. All gold Medalists received prize money of USD18,000. The first final was the W-49kg which brought together Zuo and Spain’s Adriana Cerezo Iglesias. Zuo opened strongly and won the first round 7-3. An entertaining second round saw Cerezo Iglesias go on the offensive but Zuo was too strong and won the round 11-7 to claim the first gold of the day. China’s Qing Guo won bronze as she defeated Abishag Semberg from Israel, 2:0. The W-67kg saw another China-Spain final, this time with Song facing Cecilia Castro Burgos. Song got off to a commanding start with a 12-2 victory in the first. Castro Burgos came out stronger in the second round and fought valiantly but once again Song proved too much and won Round 2, 8-5, to claim the gold medal. An all-Chinese bronze medal match between Mengyu Zhang and Jiani Xing saw Zhang win . The M-68kg final was tightly fought. The first round set the tone as Danial Bozorgishoob of Iran claimed victory with just a few seconds remaining to win 5-3. In the second, Rashitov got going, winning the round 7-6. In the decider it looked like Bozorgishoob would get gold: He was 5-1 up with 10 seconds to go, But a dramatic final flurry saw the ever-impressive Rashitov reverse mattters and walk off with gold.

M-68kg Ulugbek Rashitov

W-67kg Jie Song

M+80kg Arian Salimi Reza Kalhor bagged Iran another medal as he beat Jaeg-won Kang of Korea for bronze. The last final of the day brought together Iran’s Arian Salimi and Emre Kutalmis Atesli of Turkiye in the M+80kg. Salimi won a solid 12-1 victory in the opening round. In the second, Atesli was able to land more points and a late head kick - but it was not enough: Salimi won the round 12-10 and took hom gold. Sang-hyun Kang from Korea beat China’s Zhaoxiang Song 2:0 to win the category’s bronze.

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Wuxi 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series Ends with China on Top WUXI, China (Apr. 3, 2023)

W-57kg Zongshi Luo

M-58kg Woo-hyeok Jung

W+67kg Shunan Xiao

M-80kg Jasurbek Jaysunov

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could separate the two but it was Jaysunov who won 3-2 - and another gold for Uzbekistan. An all-Korean bronze medal match resulted in a 2:0 victory for Woo-hyeok Park over Geon-woo Seo. The first women’s final of the day brought together China’s Zongshi Luo and Lijun Zhou in the W-57kg. A close opening round saw Luo pull ahead in the final moments, 10-5. The second round followed a similar pattern with Luo once again winning the round, 7-0, and claiming gold.

Yu-jin Kim from Korea won bronze over Tina Modanlou from Iran. It was a second all-Chinese final in the W+67kg as Shunan Xiao faced Wenzhe Mu. A close opening round ended 2-0 to Xiao. In Round 2 there was again very little to choose between the two. Mu fought valiantly to the end but a headshot from Xiao extended the gap and she won the round 5-1 to win gold. Svetlana Osipova of Uzbekistan won bronze as she beat Yaxin Liu of China 2:1 for the category’s third place.

The Wuxi 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series was brought to an emphatic close today as the remaining 12 medals were decided with China finishing top of the table. Woo-Hyeok Jung of Korea, Jasurbek Jaysunov of Uzbekistan and Zongshi Luo and Shunan Xiao of China all won golds. The final standings meant China finished top with four gold medals and eight medals in total; Uzbekistan claimed second place with two gold medals and three in total; and Iran finished third with one gold and four in total. The M-58kg final drew Woo-hyeok Jung of Korea against Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi of Tunisia. Jung opened strongly with a first-round victory of 9-1. Jendoubi fought back in the second, but was not able to breach Jung’s defences. Jung won the round 5-1 - and the gold. Another medal went to Korea in the bronze match as Jun Jang beat Junsong Yu of China, 2:0. Jasurbek Jaysunov of Uzbekistan and Mehran Barkhordari of Iran fought it out in the M-80kg final. Both were aggressive but strong defences kept the scoring low; Jaysunov took the round 4-3. He continued where he left off in the second. Once again only one point

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China, Turkiye and AIN Win Golds at Wuxi 2023 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series WUXI, China (Dec. 16, 2023)

Day 1 of the Wuxi 2023 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series saw host nation China emerge with two gold medals and Turkiye and an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) come away with one each. It was the year’s second Grand Slam, as the series had been backed up as a result of the global COVID pandemic. Elif sude Akgul won gold for Turkiye in the W-49kg; Yushuai Liang and Jie Song of China won golds in the M-68kg and W-67kg respectively; and AIN Vladislav Larin finished top in the M+80kg. Akgul faced Mi-reu Kang of Korea in the final of the W-49kg. Kang went into the final having not lost a round all day. However, in the final the Korean tasted defeat for the first time, losing 2:0 to Akgul and leaving with the silver. Qing Guo from China won bronze as she beat AIN Irina Rogozina 2:0 in the third place match. 2022 World Champion Yushuai Liang added to his impressive medal tally as he beat Croatia’s 2023 World Champion Marko Golubic 2:1 in the final of the M-68kg. Neither fighter had dropped a round in the course of the day and the fight for gold was hotly contested. Chenming Xiao beat Matin Rezaei to secure the bronze. The last Grand Slam winner, Jie Song made it back-to-back gold medals as she overcame compatriot Mengyu Zhang who had to withdraw in the final of the W-67kg. Former World Champion Ruth Gbagbi of Cote d’Ivoire won bronze as she beat Spain’s Cecilia Castro Burgos. In the M+80kg final AIN Larin faced AIN Rafail Aiukaev. Larin maintained his perfect record from the quarter-finals onward of not losing a round and beat Aiukaev 2:0 in the final. Ivan Sapina beat Yaoxi Wang 2:1 to secure bronze.

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AIN, Azerbaijan and Iran, Take Last Golds in Wuxi 2023 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series concludes WUXI, China (Dec. 17, 2023)

On Day 2 of the Wuxi 2023 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series the remaining four gold medals went to Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs), Azerbaijan and Iran. AINs Tatiana Minina and Polina Khan won gold in the W-57kg and W+67kg respectively, Azerbaijan’s Gashim Magomedov took gold in the M-58kg and Iran’s Mehran Barkhordari was victorious in the M-80kg. Minina beat 2022 World Champion Zongshi Luo from China in the final of the W-57kg with a convincing 2:0 victory. Yu-jin Kim of Korea secured bronze as she beat AIN Margarita Blizniakova in the bronze medal match. Azerbaijan’s Magomedov beat current World Champion Jun-seo Bae of Korea 2:0 in the final of the M-58kg to win gold. Kai Cheng of China won his first Grand Slam bronze as he beat Alireza Hosseinpour from Iran, 2:0. AIN Khan won gold by overcoming previous Grand Slam Champion Shunan Xiao of China 2:1 in the final of the W+67kg. Zeqi Zhou secured bronze after beating compatriot Wenzhe Mu 2:0 in the third-place match. In the M-80kg final it was a repeat of the final from the previous Grand Slam with Barkhordari facing Uzebkistan’s Jasurbek Jaysunov. This time it was Barkhordari who came out on top as he won the match 2:1. Mirhashem Hosseini made it a bronze for Iran as fellow Iranian Amir Mohammad Bakhshi was forced to withdraw in the bronze medal match. Post-competition, World Taekwondo officials, international referees, team members and athletes gathered at the Wuxi Hualuxe Hotel for the 2023 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Night of Champions Gala.

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Gangwon-Chuncheon 2023

World Taekwondo Cultural Festival

WATCH VIDEOS

Inaugural Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival Kicks Off CHUNCHEON, Korea (Aug. 18, 2023)

Day 1 of the first-ever Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival, a multi-event fest of the sport, kicked off today on scenic terrain. Three formats are being contested: the World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond Game, the 4th World Taekwondo Beach Championships and the 1st World Taekwondo Demonstration Team Championships. The 4th World Taekwondo Beach Championships, the first edition to be held in Asia, saw action across the mixed Freestyle Poomsae Pairs in the Over-17 age category, the male and female Freestyle Poomsae Individual competitions in the Under-17 age category, and the Freestyle Poomsae Mixed Team event. In the final of the Freestyle Poomsae Pairs Over-17, the Colombian team of Maria Kamila Nino Hernandez and Jehison Camilo Mateus Barreto took gold with an impressive final score of 7.099, while Puerto Rico’s Arelis Medina and Gaby Colon Maldonado followed closely with 7.066 for silver. The Spanish pair of Francisco Jose Tellez Munoz and Laura Iglesias Marquez managed a score of 6.766 to claim bronze and complete the podium. The Freestyle Poomsae Mixed Team event also crowned its winner, with Ecuador’s Team ECU Poomsae taking home the gold in style. The Freestyle Poomsae Individual Male Under-17 competition also took place, with Sung hyun Eric Gun of the USA taking home gold, Italy’s Federico Serain claiming silver and Thailand’s Adulwit Thinthalang earning bronze. Meanwhile, in the Freestyle Poomsae Individual Female Under-17, Individual Neutral Athlete Sofya Tishkova came out on top to win gold, while Italy’s Beatrice Coradeschi earned silver. 140

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The World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond Game also kicked off, with athletes competing inside a bespoke octagonal field of play, allowing them to utilise the raised boundaries in a way that is impossible in regular, matted kyorugi. The M-63kg and M-80kg saw athletes locked in fierce competition for medals. In the M-63kg, Korea’s Young-hwan Kim took the gold with an impressive display, overcomeing Bizhan Sadr Zada of Afghanistan in the final. Two athletes from Kazakhstan, Samirkhon Ababakirov and Yeldos Yskak claimed the bronze medals. Korea also triumphed in the M-80kg with Jin-soo Choi defeating Kazakhstan’s Eldar Birimbay to earn gold. The bronze medals were claimed by Afghanistan’s Omid Sahak and Ramesh Hussaini. The 1st World Taekwondo Demonstration Team Championships also got underway today, much to the delight of fans. Two teams from Korea finished in first and second place, with Italy and Vietnam in joint third place.

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Beach, Diamond, Demo Championships all in Play in Chuncheon on Day 2 CHUNCHEON, Korea (Aug. 19, 2023)

The second day of the inaugural Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival once again showcased the very best of Taekwondo, demonstrating the sport’s excitement, versatility and accessibility across three premier events. In the Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond Game it was the turn of pairs categories, M-58kg and W-49kg. Two Koreas Lees won the golds with Min-yeong Lee and Hake-song Lee, respectively, claiming the top spots. Compatriots from Korea, Jae-hyuk Lim and Jin-soo Choi got silver. Bronze was shared by Mohammad Kheirallah and Aghiad Abd Alaal of Syria and Mohsen Rezaee and Omid Sahak of Afghanistan. In the Individual M-58kg, Rezaee upgraded his bronze from the pair category to win gold over refugee athlete Mahdi Khavari who won silver. Korea’s Jun-won Jeon and Mongolia’s Yondonjamts Purevdash won bronzes. In the Individual W-49kg it was gold for Pakistan’s Asifa Ali and silver and bronze for Kazakhstan’s Cansel Deniz and Zhadyra Khairullina, respectively.

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The second day of the World Taekwondo Beach Championships showcased two categories: Recognized Poomase Under-17 Male and Recognized Poomase Under-17 Female. In the male category, Thailand’s Nattrakron Niyomkull won gold, overcoming Moussa Kostit of Morocco who received silver. The bronze medals were won by Zaw Torley from Great Britain and Juan Camilo Ramirez from Colombia. In the female category, the top spot was claimed by Yuri Paige Kim from USA. Silver was won by AIN’s Arina Fedorova and bronzes went to Akari Shinano of Japan and Aya Boussouf of Morocco. Meanwhile, in the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team Championships there were performances in the Team & Freestyle Performance (Under-17) category. Gold was awarded to the spectacular Italian team, with silver and bronze medals going to Korean squads. Earlier in the afternoon, the festival’s opening ceremony was held. The Korean Air Force’s Aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, thundered overhead, delivering a jaw-dropping display. The ceremony concluded with a performance by the iconic World Taekwondo Demonstration Team.

3 Events Conclude as Fest Finishes in Chuncheon CHUNCHEON, Korea (Aug. 20, 2023)

Day 3 of the Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival saw the conclusion of the Octagon Diamond Game, Demonstration Team Championships and Beach Championships. In the World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond Game, men competed in the M-68kg and M+80kg and women in the W-57kg. The M-68kg saw Jonn-hyun Yun from Korea overcome Jae-hyuk Lim from Korea in the final. Bronzes went to Hikmatullah Zain from Afghanistan and Min-yeong Lee from Korea. In the M+80kg Ryongwoo Li from Korea won gold as he overcame Young-seok Kim from Korea in the final. Hamzah Omar Saeed of Pakistan and Hayk Amirbekyan of Canada shared the bronze medals. In the World Taekwondo Beach Championships, a full day of competition saw medals awarded across 17 categories. Finally in the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team Championships, teams from Korea won gold and silver for the freestyle performance. Bronzes went to Italy and Vietnam. The second edition of the Gangwon Chuncheon World Taekwondo Cultural Festival will be held in July next year with the return of the Octagon Diamond Game, Demonstration Team Competitions and World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge. Gangwon-Chuncheon 2023

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Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge Gets Underway The Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge was held for a two-day run at the Songam Sports Town Main Stadium, Chuncheon, with athletes competing across the K44 division in M-58kg, M-63kg, W-47kg, W-65kg, M-70kg, M-80kg, M+80kg and W+65kg, competed. The Challenge is the last of four premier events to have featured at the Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival. It saw 81 registered athletes from 18 countries, plus Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) compete. The World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge will take place again next year during the Gangwon Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival in July.

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Sarajevo 2023 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships

Day 1 Up-and-Coming Taekwondo Kids Kick off Cadet Contest WATCH VIDEOS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Aug. 28. 2023)

The M-152cm final saw Islombek Akhchurin of Uzbekistan face Italy’s Francesco Cutrone. It was a close-fought match with Cutrone winning the first round 13-10 but Akhchurin fought back to win the second and third rounds, 16-4 and 14-1 respectively. The bronze medals were won by Chen-syuan Wu of Chinese Taipei and Dinmukhammed Tolybai from Kazakhstan. The W-144cm final gold went to Geun-mi Lee of Korea as she beat Nazerke Zhanabergen from Kazakhstan in the final with a commanding performance over two rounds, winning 12-0 and 15-2. Jordan’s Safaa Eneizat and Hilal Ayar of Germany won the bronze medals. In the W-148cm Virginia Lampis from Italy proved too strong for Germany’s Maria Koukousoudi in the final, winning the first round 17-4 and following up in the second with a 6-2 victory. Yi-hsuan Xia from Chinese Taipei won bronze alongside Greece’s Paraskevi Kalogirou. The last category of the day, the W-152cm, was won by Croatia’s Petra Uglešić as she beat Han-fei Wang of Chinese Taipei in the final in two rounds, 15-2 and 16-2. Bronze medals were won by Lilou Gamel from France and Chae-eun Lee from Korea. The day’s semi-finals and finals took place following the opening ceremony featuring local performances.

The Sarajevo 2023 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships got underway today with Chinese Taipei, Croatia, Italy, Korea and Uzbekistan winning golds across the five contested categories as Taekwond’s rising generation showed their quality. Athletes aged 12-14 competed in the M-148cm, M-152cm, W-144cm, W-148cm and W-152cm categories – the first time that height as well as weight has been factored in, in order to protect the the young athletes. In the M-148cm, the final was between Hsin-han Chou of Chinese Taipei and Utku Kap of Turkiye. Nothing could separate the fighters in the first round as it finished 7-7. Chou proved too strong in the second and third rounds winning 12-6 and 5-2 to win the gold. The bronze medals were shared between Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Shamil Pakhrudinov and Min-sung Kwon of Korea.

Sarajevo 2023 Aug. 28 ~ 31

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Sarajevo 2023 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships

Korea’s Ga-ram Kim and Kosar Ojaglo from Iran fought in the final of the W-156cm. In a tense but fast-paced match, Kim won the first round 18-5, but in the second round Ojaglo fought back to win 11-10, forcing it to a third round. Kim looked set to lose but came back in the final seconds to win 15-11. Bronze medals were shared by Mexico’s Nahomi Guadalupe Martinez and Kaelynn Yvonne Manalo from the USA. The M-160cm final saw Korea’s Dong-gun Lee matched against Kazakhstan’s Nurperzent Samatuly. Lee proved too strong, winning the first round 12-0 in just 40 seconds and the second round 13-1, to win gold. The bronze medals were won by Yasan Jafari from Iran and Kirati Yokpuang from Thailand. In the W-160cm, Taissiya Borovikova of Kazakhstan came up against Shams Alizada of

Azerbaijan. Borovikova looked on course for gold after a strong first round display saw her win the round 17-4. Alizada came back in the second round but did not have quite enough as Borovikova won 13-12. Han-eul Lee of Korea and Layan Alrawashdah of Jordan won the bronze medals. The final category of the day was between Bauyrzhan Issamedin of Kazakhstan and Christos Rafail Nitsas from Germany in the M-164cm. The Kazakh proved too strong winning two rounds, 19-7 and 16-4. The bronze medals were shared between Ding-fu Yang from Chinese Taipei and Fallos Franco Klaython from Ecuador – the country’s first ever medal at the championships. The competition will continue tomorrow with the M-168cm, M-172cm, W-164cm, W-168cm, and W-172cm.

Day 2 Sarajevo Cadets Kick up a Storm SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Aug. 29, 2023)

The second day of the Sarajevo 2023 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships brought more spectacular Taekwondo action as young athletes showed who the punditry needs to watch for the future. Young athletes competed in the M-156cm, M-160cm, M-164cm W-156cm and W-160cm with Kazakhstan and Korea taking home two golds each, and Thailand one. In the M-156cm, Kanbusakorn Pichaisongkram of Thailand overcame Adilet Sheri of Kazakhstan in the final to secure gold. Meanwhile bronze medals went to Korea’s Jung-mu Heo and Australia’s Kerim Yilmaz. 152

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Day 3

VIPs, Sporting Officials, Meet WT President on Sidelines of Sarajevo Cadet Championships

Rich Talent Pipeline on Display as Cadets Continue to Impress

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Aug. 31, 2023)

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Aug. 30, 2023)

The third day of the Sarajevo 2023 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships saw dramatic and tightly contested fights. Iran finished the day with two gold medals and Mexico secured one while two Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) won the remaining golds. In the W-164cm final, AIN Mariia Voroshilina faced Iran’s Heliya Ebrahimiyan. Ebrahimiyan came out quickly, winning the first round with a commanding score of 20-13. Voroshilina composed herself to fight back with a convincing 16-3 win in the second round and in a close -fought third round pulled away in the final 10 seconds to win 15-12. Bronze medals were won by Sofija Hinic of Croatia and Sofia Frassica from Italy. Guillermo Manuel Cortes of Mexico and Kiril Kuznietsov of Ukraine were matched in the M-168cm. Cortes, the gold Medalist from last year’s Cadet Championships, won the match in two rounds winning 13-8 and 13-9, leaving Kuznietsov with silver. Marc-daniel Jumanan from the USA and Georgios Iliopoulos from Greece secured the bronze medals. The W-168cm saw another set of Iranian and Ukrainian fighters reach the final as Rozhan Soufi of Iran faced Polina Tupchii of Ukraine. The first two rounds were closely fought with Tupchii winning the first 5-4 and Soufi winning the second 11-8. In the last round, Soufi won 7-1 as Tupchii picked up Ukraine’s second silver of the day. The bronze medals were won by Napassakorn

Sritimongkol from Thailand and Chieh-ling Wang of Chinese Taipei. The M-172cm final was another tight match with Italy’s Abderrahman Touiar and Bashir Adzhiev from Iran needing all three rounds to find a winner. Touiar won the first round 2-1, Adzhiev took the second 12-9 but Touiar won the decisive round 6-2 to claim gold. Bronze was won by Kenai Hernandez from Mexico and Iran’s Mirabbass Hosseinyfar. The last final of the day was in the W-172cm. Seye-

deh Kimia Mohammadi from Iran beat AIN Varvara Fomenko 9-3 in the opening round. Fomenko had looked on course to win the round but Mohammadi flipped the scores in the final 15 seconds. In the second round Mohammadi managed a convincing 16-2 victory to take gold. Bronze medals were shared by Mexico’s Linda Victoria Rodriguez and Spain’s Paula Mora.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue used the opportunity of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships to meet with senior officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina and discuss the development of Taekwondo in the country. On Aug. 29, Choue, WT Secretary General Jeongkang Seo and WT Council Member Metin Sahin met with Bosnia and Herzegovina National Olympic Committee (NOC) President Izet Rado and a delegation from the National Taekwondo Federation in BiH, led by President Samir Saric. The NOC delegation thanked World Taekwondo for their visit and explained how Taekwondo is developing in the country. Choue explained how examples in other countries have shown that creating Taekwondo departments in national universities can accelerate advancement in the sport. The NOC agreed to look into the idea. On Aug. 30, Choue met with Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Kristo. Choue expressed his appreciation for the support Kristo has provided in the hosting of the Cadet Championships. He explained that Taekwondo is one of the world’s fairest and most economical sports, which gives smaller countries greater chances. He stated that Taekwondo could grant Bosnia and Herzegovina its first Olympic medal. Lastly, on Aug. 31, President Choue met with Minister of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton Kenan Magoda. Magoda expressed his hope for Sarajevo to host a Junior or Senior level World Taekwondo event after the successful delivery of the Cadet Championships. He also stated his support for building a National Taekwondo Center in Sarajevo to further develop Taekwondo. Magoda also attended the last day of competitions and joined the medal ceremonies.

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Day 4 Cadet Championships End with a Bang SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Aug. 31, 2023)

The Sarajevo 2023 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships today came to a close after four days of youth Taekwondo which brought athletes of all nationalities together in peace and showcased the best of the sport’s promising future. Team Iran continued the strong form they have shown throughout the event, adding two golds to their tally. The remaining golds of the day were won by Italy, Serbia and Uzbekistan. Italy’s Gabriele Rosato faced Efthymios Iliadis of Greece in the M-176cm final. After two rounds it was 1:1 but in a tight final round Rosato emerged the stronger to win the gold medal. Bronzes were won by Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Kazbulat Kazanchev and Thailand’s Nattawat Bunchang. In the M-180cm, Nolhan Rosemond from France was matched against Akhadjon Mukhtorov of Uzbekistan. An entertaining first round ended in the Frenchman’s favour as he won 11-9. Mukhtorov came back in the second to win 8-4 and took the third round to win gold. The bronze medals were shared by Leonardo Angell from Australia and Joshua Alade from the USA. Iran’s Mohammad Hossein Taghipoor and AIN Nikita Gubanov fought in the final of the M+180cm. Taghipoor came out strongly and never looked back, winning the first round 12-5 and the second 11-3 to win gold. Spain’s Ivan Lysenko and AIN Ramazan Rasulov won the bronze medals. In the W-176cm, Vanja Rankov from Serbia was matched against Iran’s Ayla Jalili. The contest threatened to be a one-sided affair as Jalili won the first round 10-0. But Rankov composed herself to come back with a commanding win of her own in the second round, 14-3. In the decisive round Rankov carried on where she left off, scoring 11 points winning the round by point gap within the last 20 seconds. Pola Wasilewska

from the USA and Klara Uglešić from Croatia won bronzes. The final of the W+176cm saw one of the most commanding performances of the championships. Hana Zarrinkamar from Iran managed to win the first round against Australia’s Akon Baak by point gap with 30 seconds of the round remaining. In the second round, Zarrinkamar landed two consecutive head kicks in the first 10 seconds and went on to win by point gap again. Still, Baak’s second place finish marks the first silver Australia has ever won at a cadet championship. Home favourite from Bosnia and Herzegovina Lamija Alihodzic won the country’s first medal with bronze. Nielle Vroegh from the Netherlands won the other bronze on offer. Taekwondo’s next World Cadet Championships is set for Fujairah, UAE in 2025.

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Following the conclusion of the competition, the following awards were presented:

The female team standing for Sarajevo 2023 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships is:

Egypt Taekwondo Federation

1st place

Iran

2nd place

Korea

Bosnia & Herzegovina Taekwondo Federation

3rd place

Kazakhstan

4th place

Croatia

Male athlete MVP

Dong-Gun Lee from Korea

5th place

Italy

Female athlete MVP

Vanja Rankov from Serbia

Active Participation Award

Good Fighting Spirit Award

Best male Coach

Myrzagali Suranov from Kazakhstan

Best female Coach

Niloufar Safarian Siahmazgi from Iran

Best male Referee

Mr. Jinhwan Hwang from USA

Best female Referee

Ms. Paula Remirez from Spain

The male team standing for Sarajevo 2023 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships is: 1st place

Kazakhstan

2nd place

Uzbekistan

3rd place

Italy

4th place

Korea

5th place

Iran

The 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships will be held in Fujairah, UAE. 158

159

Enter the Matrix: Virtual Taekwondo Debuts at Olympic Esports Week SINGAPORE (Jun. 25, 2023)

WATCH VIDEOS

Human-Digital Taekwondo Interface Wins Bigs Audience in Singapore The inaugural Virtual Taekwondo competition in the Olympic Esports Week drew to a close with Singapore’s junior male athlete Nigel Tan claiming the firstever gold trophy at the Suntec Center in Singapore. The 15-year-old overcame a Singaporean female athlete of the same age, Natalie Tor, 2:1 in the final. The event showcased a unique aspect of Virtual Taekwondo: It allows people of all ages and genders to compete against one another without barriers. The event featured eight retired Taekwondo legends and eight local junior athletes. The preliminaries took place on 23 June and the quarter-finals and medal rounds on the 25th. Virtual Taekwondo makes use of cutting-edge technology to track player actions. Players wear headsets and motion-tracking nodes on their hands and shins. The objective is to contest and finish the opponent’s health bar, or have the highest health bar at the end of the round in the best of three rounds. While Virtual Taekwondo replicates the reality of Taekwondo, the Taekwondo legends were not as successful in their transition to the virtual field of play. Only two, Jingyu Wu of China and Nur Tatar of Turkiye progressed to the quarter-finals, losing out to eventual winners Tan and Tor in the respective semi-finals. Tatar and Wu met in the third-place match as they battled for bronze. With four Olympic medals between them, this truly was a match between two legends of the sport - in esport. 160

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Two-time Olympic Champion Wu won 2:0. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “The inaugural Virtual Taekwondo competition at the Olympic Esports Week was a great success and demonstrated how fun, inclusive and exciting the sport is. It is every Taekwondo athletes’ dream to compete against legends they have looked up to and this competition allowed young Singaporeans to do just that. However, not only did they compete but they excelled, showing in Virtual Taekwondo that age, gender and size do not matter. Anyone can win!”

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Seoul 2023 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships Series Team Korea Walks off Mats with Women’s World Cup GOYANG, Korea (Nov. 14, 2023)

Korea emerged as female champions today at the Seoul 2023 World Cup Team Championships Series, held in the western Seoul suburb of Goyang. The gold-medal winning team left Goyang’s KINTEX 2 Exhibition Center with not just the coveted World Cup itself, but with USD 20,000 in prize money. They earned the title after a banger of a battle against Team Morocco, with a 2:0 win. The highly technical Korean players deployed high and spinning kicks to maximum effect against a lively Morocco squad, maintaining a steady lead. Morocco earned silver – and USD 10,000 in prize money. Third place – and USD 5,000 - went to former World Cup Champion China, which defeated Mexico 2:0 in the bronze medal match. In earlier semi-finals, Korea had taken out China, in a dramatic match won on superiority in the final round by a hair’s breadth. In the second semi, Morocco had beaten Mexico, 2:0. And in the quarter finals: China had defeated Iran 2:0; Morocco defeated Cote d’Ivoire 2:0; and Mexico defeated Brazil in a down-to-the-last-second 2:1 bout. In a seven-team field, Korea had a bye, so advanced directly into its semi against China. 166

The bang ‘n crash, spin ‘n kick, team championships are Taekwondo’s most dynamic combative format. Female teams comprise three athletes weighing no more than 200kg in total. Fighting is separated into three rounds, with victories in two rounds deciding the winner, or superiority deciding the matter if points are even. At this year’s World Cup, female, male and mixed-gender teams are competing over three days. Australia, Brazil, China, Cote d’Ivoire, Iran, Korea, Mexico and Morocco are fielding teams.

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Seoul 2023 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships Series

Brazil Lifts Mixed Gender World Cup

Iran Retains Male World Cup at 2023 Team Championships

GOYANG, Korea (Nov. 16, 2023)

GOYANG, Korea (Nov. 15, 2023)

The World Cup remains in Iranian hands thanks to the country’s male squad securing victory at the Seoul 2023 World Cup Team Championships Series, held in the western Seoul suburb of Goyang. The Iranians also earned USD 20,000 in prize money. The title match pitted Iran, 2019’s winning squad, against the tournament’s dark horse, Team Australia. The Aussies are newcomers to this format’s elite level; few had predicted they would be fighting in the final. Yet, here they stood. Action commenced with Iran starting out strong, hitting hard and being hard to hit - but Australia found its feet and bought the match back to near parity, losing Round 1 by just five points. The second round proceeded along a similar trajectory, albeit with Iran suffering a series of gamjeoms. But the Iranians showed their quality by winning it in the final moments – with just another five-point margin. That left the Aussies hefting silver medals and taking home USD 10,000 in prize money after having establishing themselves as a new force to be reckoned with in this competition. Third place – and USD 5,000 - went to Brazil, who won bronze in an absolute scorcher of a fight against China. The two sides tied with one round each, taking it to the third. In the last three seconds of Round 3, Brazil came back from behind, winning the match 70-65 to the screams of Brazilians in the stands.

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The wins and the prize money were hard earned. Team combat has always been Taekwondo’s most roughand-tumble fighting format - but even by that standard, today’s bouts were exceptionally fierce. Earlier, in the first semi-final, Australia had ejected China, bronze medalist in the previous World Cup, after an ultra-tight 2:1 battle. In the second semi, Iran took on the very aggressive Team Brazil. Brazil was game, but Iran showed their quality with a 2:0 wipeout. In the morning quarter finals Australia had knocked out Mexico 2:0. China had defeated Cote d’Ivoire in a thriller of a bout that saw the winners bounce back from behind to grab a 2:1 victory in the final seconds of Round 3. Iran had taken out Korea in a fast-and-furious 2:1 win that had the crowd on its feet. And in the last of the quarters, Brazil had dispatched Morocco 2:0 in a highly combative bout that had seen a game Moroccan squad lose a man to injury. Male teams comprise three fighters, competing over three, three-minute rounds.

Team Brazil emerged victorious on the third and final day of the Seoul 2023 World Cup Team Championships Series, lifting the mixed gender trophy. Mixed gender teams field two male and two female fighters. To help the audience distinguish the combatants - hidden behind head gear and trunk protector - men wear black pants, women white. Though the teams are mixed, due to the substitution rules, actual fighting is purely female versus female and male versus male. Nobody had predicted the two opponents that would face off in the final in Goyang: Brazil and Morocco. Neither team had placed in the last World Cup, held in Wuxi, China, in 2019. It was good times for the Brazilians, who had won bronze in the male competition, one day earlier. As the teams lined up opposite one another, it was visually clear that Team Morocco had a height/leg-length advantage. But as action got underway, Team Brazil looked livelier on the field of play – and were backed by some very, very vocal support in the stands. Brazil took Round 1, and – under the best of three rounds system - looked determined to finish matters in Round 2. Applying offensive pressure from the very outset of the second round, they grabbed an early point lead. It was a lead that Brazil increased and never relinquished. A desperate Morocco unleashed a furious, across-the-mats charge in the final 10 seconds, but to no avail. End result: Brazil 2, Morocco 0.

The Latin Americans, crowned 2023 World Cup champions, took home gold medals and USD 20,000 in prize money. The North Africans won silver and USD 10,000 – a repeat of their silver-medal performance in the female competition on Day 1. Third place – and USD 5,000 - went to Iran, the victors in the male contest on Day 1. The Iranians today defeated Cote d’Ivoire in the bronze-medal match, 2-0. Earlier, in the first semi-final, Brazil had come back from behind to beat Iran 2:1. In the second semi, Morocco defeated a game (but physically smaller) Cote d’Ivoire, 2:0. In the quarter finals, Morocco took out Mexico 2:0; Brazil dispatched Korea in a fiercely fought 2:1 victory; and Iran ejected 2019 champs China, 2:0. That brought the 2023 World Cup to an end. Over three days, Goyang had hosted an eight-nation field: Australia, Brazil, China, Cote d’Ivoire, Iran, Korea, Mexico and Morocco.

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China Wins Gold at

Wuxi 2023 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships Final WUXI, China (Dec. 19, 2023)

China claimed gold on home soil today at the Wuxi 2023 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships Final earning a ticket to Paris in 2024. The event contests mixed gender teams only, with the top three teams earning places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games team showcase. The competition featured a mixture of traditional team match format and tag-team match format, with the highest scoring team after three rounds emerging the victor. Team China 2023 faced the Uzbekistan National Team in a thrilling final and came away victorious after a hotly contested fight which saw the two teams separated by just six points, 36-30. By winning the silver medal, the Uzbekistan National Team also won the right to compete at the Paris 2024 showcase. The third team joining China and Uzbekistan at the Paris 2024 showcase will be the Brazil National Team 2023 after claiming bronze at the World Cup Team Championships Final. The Brazilians secured their place in Paris over Korea’s Daejeon Metropolitan City Team, which also won bronze, due to a higher accumulative points difference between the points scored and the points conceded over all matches. Earlier, the Brazil National Team 2023 convincingly overcame Team Korea (Wuxi Worldcup) 47-32 in the bronze medal match. Daejeon Metropolitan City narrowly defeated the Kazakhstan National Team by just one point, 21-20, in the other bronze medal match. The fourth and final team to compete at the Paris 2024 showcase will be the French National Team, who qualify as the host country. The Paris 2024 showcase follows on from the great success of the showcase at the last Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020.

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Muju 2023 World Taekwondo Poomsae Open Challenge

Korea Leads Medal Table on Day 2 MUJU, Korea (Nov. 4, 2023)

Nov. 3 - 5

The home team charged to the top of the medal count on Day 2 in Muju, facing down spirited competition from Australia, the Philippines and the USA. It was a crowded schedule on the field of play, with over 60 medals being awarded in age categories ranging from juniors to seniors aged over 65. National Team Individual (Female), Individual (Male and Female, multiple age categories), Pairs (multiple age categories) and Teams (Female and Male, multiple age categories) were all contested.

Artistic Action Rocks Martial Muju MUJU, Korea (Nov. 3, 2023)

The World Taekwondo Poomsae Open Challenge action got underway today at the bespoke-designed, purpose-built Taekwondo training complex nestled among the scenic hills of Muju in Korea’s southwest. More than 500 poomsae athletes registered for the event alongside 58 officials, with 19 countries represented. The USA and Korea took the Women’s and Men’s National Team Freestyle Individual Over-17 golds, respectively. The first day of competition also saw inspiring performances across a range of individual open categories, including the Men’s Under 30 and Under 50, as well as the Women’s Under 40 and Junior divisions. Meanwhile, in the men’s National Team Freestyle Individual Over 17 competition, Korea’s Un-tae Jang claimed gold with an impressive score of 9.10. He was closely followed by Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games Gold Medalist Darius Venerable of the Philippines who took silver with a score of 8.98. The podium was completed by Japan’s Yumi Yanagi who earned a score of 8.52 to take the bronze In the Women’s National Team Freestyle Individual Over 17 competition, the USA’s Kyra Chan clinched gold with a score of 7.68, while Japan’s Yuiko Niwa scored 6.66 to take silver. 172

WT Poomsae Open Challenge Draws to End in Muju MUJU, Korea (Nov. 5, 2023)

Taekwondowon’s T1 stadium echoed to battle cries from the field of play and screams from the audience in the stands as some of the world’s most outstanding poomsae players strutted their stuff. Featuring non-combat competition – the “art” in the “martial” - the event came to the end of its three-day run here today. Teams and/or individuals representing Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and the US captured medals. The action serves as elite-level preparation for the 2024 World Poomsae Championships. That event – the top-level poomsae competition on the WT calendar – is scheduled for next November in Hong Kong. The biggest turnout at Taekwondowon was from the home team, and unsurprisingly, Team Korea led the medal table. 173

Muju 2023

‘Team Wow:’ US Poomsae Goddesses Talk up Non-Combat Taekwondo

World Taekwondo Poomsae Open Challenge

MUJU, Korea (Nov. 5, 2023)

While Team Korea topped the medal table at the Muju Taekwondowon 2023 World Taekwondo Poomsae Open Challenge, Team USA also took home a stack of gold. First place in the National Team Individual Female Under 30 category was captured by Karyn Real – an achievement that netted the 22-year-old MIT student an automatic wild card place at 2024’s World Poomsae Championships in Hong Kong. First place in the Female Team Over 30 was grabbed by the trio of Elva Adams, 53, Jennifer Howard, 45, and Rosalynn Le, 42. To top it off, Adams struck yet another gold in the Individual Female Under 60 category. The three-woman team call themselves “Team Wow.” Why so? “Team Wow” is “Team Mom” written upside down, they explain. All three coach Taekwondo; all three have jobs; and all three are mothers, with two children each. For women with such weighty responsibilities to compete in an athletic event at the elite level is highly unusual. And that, they say, is the edge that poomsae (forms competition) offers over kyorugi (sparring competition). “After the 2018 World Championships, I took a little break and had two kids,” said Le. “If it was any other sport, I would not have had the opportunity to come back.” Poomsae, a non-contact format, does not deliver kyorugi’s kinetic shock to aging bodies. “We were all kyorugi fighters before poomsae competitors” said Adams. “We eventually chose poomsae, as kyorugi competitors have very short athletic lives.” Another issue is that it is easier for busy persons – like working mothers - to schedule poomsae training than kyorugi training. The former can be done solo; the latter requires partners/opponents. “Poomsae is more about self-training, which is difficult to sustain as a kyorugi athlete,” said Howard. “Poosmae can be communal, but it is a lot of self-training and self-discipline.” That factor, plus the need for zero physical equipment, makes poomsae appropriate for all times, in all spaces. “You can practice on your own, any time, anywhere,” Howard added. However, all three “Team Wow” members agree that Taekwondo trainees should build a broad foundation in the sport before specializing in one of the two competitive formats. “I would consider Taekwondo as a whole: poomsae and kyorugi are like a double major, like an undergraduate,” said Le. “When you choose one, it is like getting your masters or your doctorate.” 174

Real – who, incidentally, is pursuing a double major in computer science and economics – points out that poomsae also opens doors for athletes with a wider range of physiques than kyorugi, which favors tall, leggy players, within the constraint of weight limits. “I competed from a very young age in both sparring and poomsae until I was about 16, and the reason to turn toward poomsae was that you can still be competitive with a variety of body types,” she said. “I am on the shorter side, so it was hard to be competitive in sparring.” Body types also have an influence on poomsae. Traditional poomsae are set routines, with each competitor performing the same techniques, in the same sequence. Yet, space exists for self-expression. “As far as accuracy, everyone is striving to create the same technical movements, but everyone has a different style: There is room for interpretation, rhythm and expression of energy,” Real said. “In my brother’s division, he is on the slimmer side and his competitors are bigger and typically have a more grounded style, so for him, his style is more speed and explosiveness.” While kyorugi is a demanding, full-contact combat sport, its focus on safety, fairness and spectacular moves mean its techniques are not ideal for self-defense – one of the key reasons beginners take up a martial art. Poomsae, on the other hand, provide a template

of nitty-gritty self-defense techniques for coaches teaching grass-roots Taekwondo. “There are textbooks on self-defense and poomsae, and I teach poomsae application in my school,” said Howard. “When you compete, you lose some of that [realism],” added Adams – a reference to the emphasis on spectacle over effectiveness in competition. “But you have to teach applications, because that is why the movements were developed.” Even non-competitive level poomsae requires a demanding mixture of attributes: power and speed; balance and agility; precision and grace. At the competitive level there is an additional demand for focus and concentration due to the time limit. “You have one, short time – maximum is one minute, 30

seconds - so that is what makes it really demanding both mentally and physically,” Adams said. That is a very unforgiving time within which to deliver a perfect performance. But in poomsae, like every other human activity, perfection is an impossible goal. “Poomsae is like golf,” said Howard. “It can never be perfected.” To win in this discipline, Real offers some Zen-like advice that may be prove as applicable to life as it is to Taekwondo. “For me, personally, I find most success when I think that I don’t want to win, I want to do good poomsae – poomsae that, when I look back at on video, I will be proud of,” she said. “That helps me to achieve the best possible result.”

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RIYADH 2023 WORLD COMBAT GAMES Taekwondo Joins the Action as World’s Top Fighting Sports Mass in Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Oct. 28, 2023)

RIYADH 2023 WORLD COMBAT GAMES

The Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games today witnessed captivating Taekwondo action as the Mixed Gender Team Kyorugi categories got the three-day competition underway. The World Combat Games began on Oct. 20 and will run through to Oct. 30, bringing together some of the world’s best athletes from across 16 Olympic and non-Olympic combat sports. Taekwondo competitions ran from Oct. 28-30.

The Mixed Gender Team Kyorugi category saw teams from Australia, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye battling to progress through the preliminaries. No medals were awarded on Day 1. After an intense opening day Korea, Mexico, Morocco and Turkiye emerged victorious, securing their spots in the semi-finals scheduled for Oct. 30. The World Combat Games aims to encourage youth en-

gagement in sport, while fostering unity within local martial arts and combat sport communities. It also aims to showcase a wide range of combat sports to a global audience. It is the first time the Games has been hosted in the Middle East since it was founded by the Global Association of International Sports Federations, or GAISF - now known as SportAccord.

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Oct. 30, 2023)

Freestyle Poomsae Steals the Show on Day 2 at World Combat Games RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Oct. 29, 2023)

The second day of Taekwondo competitions at the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games concluded with exciting action and medal winners in the Freestyle Poomsae Pairs category. Freestyle Poomsae saw athletes competing across various categories including the semi-finals of the Male and Female Individual events, as well as the final of the Pairs over 17. In the final of the Freestyle Poomsae Pairs

over 17, the Korean team of Seung-jin Park and Kyeong-seon Song took gold with an impressive final score of 9.02, while Chinese Taipei’s Ching-tung Huang and Hsin-ya Chen followed closely with 8.86 for silver. The pair of Juvenile Faye Crisostomo and Justin Kobe Macario from the Philippines and Spain’s Barbara Di Martino Fermin, Manuel Alejandro Paz Romero scored 8.82 and 8.44 and claimed bronzes.

The Taekwondo competition at the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games wrapped up today with Korea striking gold in the Mixed Gender Team Kyorugi and Women’s individual Freestyle Poomsae, while the Philippines claimed the title in the Men’s individual Freestyle Poomsae.. The Mixed Gender Team Kyorugi saw a fierce battle between Korea and Morocco. It was Korea which came out on top, overcoming Morocco 75-53 to claim gold. Turkiye bested Mexico 83-45 in the third-place match to earn bronze and complete the podium. Korea made it to the final after mounting a comeback to defeat Turkiye 50-48 by the narrowest of margins in the semi-final. Morocco breezed past Mexico 85-52 in the other semi-final to book its place in the gold medal match. In the Men’s Individual Freestyle Poomsae, Darius Venerable of the Philippines, who earned bronze at the Goyang 2022 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, took gold with an outstanding score of 9.28. He bested Goyang 2022 World Champion Nam-hoon Lee of Korea who closely followed with 9.20 for silver. Singapore’s Zong Han Darren Yap finished the competition with a score of 9.10 to claim bronze.

RIYADH 2023 WORLD COMBAT GAMES

Korea, Philippines, Gain Gold on Day 3 in Riyadh

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Individual Freestyle Poomsae, an impressive score of 9.28 saw Ye-eun Cha from Korea claim gold, adding to her trophy cabinet which also includes gold from Goyang 2022. She was followed by Maria Alejandra Higueros Luna of Guatemala who took silver home after posting a score of 9.04. Bronze went to Chinese Taipei’s Hsin-Ya Chen after she earned a score of 8.80. The finals took place on the closing day of the World Combat Games.

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2023

KRAKOW-MALOPOLSKA 2023 EUROPEAN GAMES

Medalists by Weight Category DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NOC

DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NOC

Jun. 23, 2023

Women -46kg

Gold

STOJKOVIC Lena

CRO

Jun. 25, 2023

Women -62kg

Gold

CHAARI Sarah

BEL

Silver

ZAMPETTI Sofia

ITA

Silver

STOLBOVA Petra

CZE

Bronze

CELIK Sueheda Nur

GER

Bronze

TARVIDA Jolanta

LAT

Bronze

KOUTTOUKI Kyriaki

CYP

Bronze

POWELL Aaliyah Jadine

GBR

Gold

CEREZO IGLESIAS Adriana

ESP

Gold

PERISIC Aleksandra

SRB

Silver

DINCEL Merve

TUR

Silver

CASTRO BURGOS Cecilia

ESP

Bronze

KISSKALT Supharada

GER

Bronze

D’ANGELO Natalia

ITA

Bronze

MOORE Maddison Samant

GBR

Bronze

WIET HENIN Magda

FRA

Gold

ARILLO VAZQUEZ Hugo

ESP

Gold

KINTSURASHVILI Zurab

GEO

Silver

DADASHOV Sayyad

AZE

Silver

HUSIC Nedzad

BIH

Bronze

CONTI Andrea

ITA

Bronze

QUESADA BARRERA Daniel

ESP

Bronze

DIMITROPOULOS Konstantinos

GRE

Bronze

TAKOV Stefan

SRB

Gold

VICENTE YUNTA Adrian

ESP

Gold

HRNIC Edi

DEN

Silver

WOOLLEY Jack

IRL

Silver

ORDEMANN Richard Andre K

NOR

Bronze

RAVET Cyrian

FRA

Bronze

KARTAL Huseyin

TUR

Bronze

MAGOMEDOV Gashim

AZE

Bronze

TELIKOSTOGLOU Apostolos

GRE

Gold

DUVANCIC Ivana

CRO

Gold

UZUNCAVDAR Sude Yaren

TUR

Silver

PEREZ PARRADO Alma Maria

ESP

Silver

BOZANIC Nadica

SRB

Bronze

PATAKFALVY Luca Marta

HUN

Bronze

KLEPAC Nika

CRO

Bronze

HRONOVA Dominika

CZE

Bronze

LAURIN Althea

FRA

Gold

JONES Jade Louise

GBR

Gold

KUS Nafia

TUR

Silver

MARTON Luana

HUN

Silver

KOWALCZUK Aleksandra

POL

Bronze

TOMIC Kristina

CRO

Bronze

AVOULETE Solene

FRA

Bronze

ILGUN Hatice Kubra

TUR

Bronze

BOYADZHIEVA Kalina

BUL

Gold

BARETTA Dennis

ITA

Gold

SAPINA Ivan

CRO

Silver

BRECIC Lovre

CRO

Silver

DIVKOVIC Patrik

SLO

Bronze

ALAPHILIPPE Souleyman

FRA

Bronze

MARTINEZ GARCIA Raul

ESP

Bronze

JORQUERA CALA Joan

ESP

Bronze

BAILEY Kelen

HUN

Gold

PEREZ POLO Javier

ESP

Gold

CUNNINGHAM Caden Luis

GBR

Silver

SINDEN Bradly John

GBR

Silver

GEORGIEVSKI Dejan

MKD

Bronze

JOERGENSEN Otto Herlev

DEN

Bronze

ATESLI Emre Kutalmis

TUR

Bronze

CHAMALIDIS Konstantinos

GRE

Bronze

BOZIC Pasko

CRO

Women -49kg

Men -54kg

Men -58kg

Jun. 24, 2023

Women -53kg

Women -57kg

Men -63kg

Men -68kg

180

Jun. 23-26 | Krakow, Poland

Women -67kg

Men -74kg

Men -80kg

Jun. 26, 2023

Women -73kg

Women +73kg

Men -87kg

Men +87kg

181

2023

SANTIAGO 2023 PAN AMERICAN GAMES

Medalists by Weight Category

Oct. 21-24 | Santiago, Chile

DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NOC

DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NOC

OCT 21, 2023

Men -58kg

Gold

PLAZA HERNANDEZ Brandon

MEX

OCT 23, 2023

Men +80kg

Gold

SANSORES ACEVEDO Carlos Adrian

MEX

Silver

GUZMAN Lucas Lautaro

ARG

Silver

HEALY Jonathan Daniel

USA

Bronze

GARRIDO REYES Jhon Deivi

COL

Bronze

ALVES Agustín Eduardo

ARG

Bronze

SOUZA DE MELO Paulo Ricardo

BRA

Bronze

BERGERON Marc-andré

CAN

Gold

HARRIS Khalfani Inkhaton

USA

Gold

GORMAN-SHORE Madelynn Mackenzie

USA

Silver

PIE Bernardo

DOM

Silver

MOSQUERA RIASCOS Gloria Camila

COL

Bronze

PARK Tae-ku Pietro Zanetel

CAN

Bronze

SHIPMAN Aliyah

HAI

Bronze

ACUÑA José Luis

ARG

Bronze

HEREDIA TAMEZ Victoria Catarina

MEX

Gold

SOUZA NARANJO Daniela Paola

MEX

Gold

MARQUES QUIRINO PONTES Edival

BRA

Silver

RAMIREZ VARGAS Andrea

COL

Bronze

SENDRA Giulia Clara

ARG

Bronze

DANIEL Melina Noelle

USA

Men’s Individual

Gold

ARROYO REYES William De Jesus

MEX

Poomsae

Silver

ORTEGA VELÁSQUEZ Elian Martin

NCA

Bronze

COLON MALDONADO Luis Gabriel

PUR

Bronze

DEL CASTILLO PALOMINO Hugo Xavier

PER

Women’s Individual

Gold

RECLUSADO Kaitlyn Marie

USA

Poomsae

Silver

HIGUEROS LUNA Maria Alejandra

EAI

Bronze

LEE KIM Seo Hyun Cecilia

MEX

Bronze

MEDINA TORRES Arelis Jailene

PUR

Gold

NICKOLAS Carl Alan

USA

Silver

TREJOS SALAS Miguel Angel

COL

Bronze

CALDERÓN MARTÍNEZ Kelvin

CUB

Bronze

OSTAPIV Lucas De Krishna

BRA

Gold

PARK Skylar Mi-young Zanetel

CAN

Silver

LIMA PACHECO Maria Clara

BRA

Bronze

COX Caitlyn Sarah

USA

Bronze

CARSTENS SALCEDA Carolena Jean

PAN

Gold

SOLTERO GARCIA Leslie Xcaret

MEX

Silver

LEE Ava Soon

HAI

Bronze

GALLARDO LLANCAMAN Claudia Rayen

CHI

MARTÍNEZ DESPAINE Frislaidis

Bronze

TEACHOUT Kristina Danielle

USA

PÉREZ ESCALONA Marlyn

Gold

LEE KIM Seo Hyun Cecilia

MEX

Men -68kg

Women -49kg

OCT 22, 2023

Men -80kg

Women -57kg

Women -67kg

Mixed Poomsae Pairs

Women +67kg

OCT 24, 2023

Men’s Kyorugi Team

DE ANDRADE SIQUEIRA Maicon SOUZA DE MELO Paulo Ricardo Silver

CHURCHILL MARTÍNEZ Joaquín Andrés

CHI

MORALES PUENTES Ignacio Alfonso CONTRERAS DÁVALOS Aaron Pablo Bronze

GOMEZ TAGLE BALLESTEROS Uriel

MEX

NAVARRO VALDEZ Carlos Ruben SALAZAR PEREZ Bryan Andres Bronze

MIRANDA RAMON Adrian Eduardo

ECU

NIETO PRECIADO Jose Carlos ARROYO NAZARENO Julio Cesar Women’s Kyorugi Team

Gold

RODRIGUEZ PEGUERO Katherine Julissa

DOM

RODRIGUEZ ROSARIO Madelyn Andrea MEJIA MATOS Mayerlin Yanay Silver

HEREDIA TAMEZ Victoria Catarina

MEX

VILLEGAS MACHORRO Fabiola Guadalupe SOLTERO GARCIA Leslie Xcaret Bronze

GOMES DOS SANTOS Caroline

BRA

LIMA PACHECO Maria Clara LEITE MACEDO Sandy Camila Bronze

ACOSTA HERRERA Arlettys De La Caridad

CUB

ARROYO REYES William De Jesus Silver

ORTEGA VELÁSQUEZ Elian Martin

NCA

DARCE LOPEZ Ingrid Pamela Bronze

COLON MALDONADO Luis Gabriel

PUR

MEDINA TORRES Arelis Jailene Bronze

JERVEZ ARMIJOS Katlen Alejandra

ECU

TROYA JIMENEZ Mario Alejandro 182

183

2023

THE 19th ASIAN GAMES HANGZHOU

Medalists by Weight Category DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NOC

DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NOC

SEPT. 24, 2023

Men’s Individual

Gold

KANG Wan-jin

KOR

SEPT. 26, 2023

Men -63kg

Gold

TUBTIMDANG Banlung

THA

poomsae

Silver

MA Yun-zhong

TPE

Silver

HOSSEINPOUR Alireza

IRI

Bronze

TRAN Ho-duy

VIE

Bronze

LIANG Yushuai

CHN

Bronze

PEREZ Patrick King

PHI

Bronze

ALHALAWANI Zaid

JOR

Women’s Individual

Gold

CHA Yea-eun

KOR

Gold

PARK Hyejin

KOR

poomsae

Silver

NIWA Yui-ko

JPN

Silver

LIN Wei Chun

TPE

Bronze

CHEN Hsin-ya

TPE

Bronze

JONGKOLRATTANAWATTANA Chutikan

THA

Bronze

SALAHSHOURI Marjan

IRI

Bronze

KAYUMOVA Charos

UZB

Gold

JANG Jun

KOR

Gold

LUO Zongshi

CHN

Silver

HAJIMOUSAEINAFOUTI Mahdi

IRI

Silver

LO Chia Ling

TPE

Bronze

REZAEE Mohsen

AFG

Bronze

KIM Yu-jin

KOR

Bronze

CHENG Kai

CHN

Bronze

HARNSUJIN Phannapa

THA

Gold

WONGPATTANAKIT Panipak

THA

Gold

RASHITOV Ulugbek

UZB

Silver

GUO Qing

CHN

Silver

ABDUL KAREEM Zaid

JOR

Bronze

MANNOPOVA Madinabonu

UZB

Bronze

REZAEI Matin

IRI

Bronze

NEMATZADEH Mobina

IRI

Bronze

JIN Ho-jun

KOR

Gold

CUI Yang

CHN

Gold

SONG Jie

CHN

SONG Zhaoxiang

Silver

SADIKOVA Feruza

UZB

SONG Jie

Bronze

MIRHOSSEINI VAKILI Melika

IRI

ZHOU Zeqi

Bronze

BAC Thi Khiem

VIE

Gold

PARK Woo-hyeok

KOR

KIM Jan-di

Silver

ELSHARABATY Saleh

JOR

LEE Da-bin

Bronze

AL RAMMAHI Saif Thaer Habeeb

IRQ

PARK Woo-hyeok

Bronze

BARKHORDARI Mehran

IRI

Gold

ZHOU Zeqi

CHN

PHAM Ngoc Cham

Silver

LEE Da-bin

KOR

PHAM Minh Bao Kha

Bronze

OSIPOVA Svetlana

UZB

LY Hong Phuc

Bronze

DENIZ Cansel

KAZ

Gold

SONG Zhaoxiang

CHN

SALAEV Shukhrat

Silver

SALIMI Arian

IRI

OSIPOVA Svetlana

Bronze

LEE Meng-en

TPE

JAYSUNOV Jasurbek

Bronze

DUISEBAY Smaiyl

KAZ

SEPT. 25, 2023

Men -58kg

Women -49kg

Mixed Gender Team

Silver

Bronze

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Sept. 24-28 | Hangzhou, China

SEO Geon-woo

BAC Thi Khiem

SOBIRJONOVA Ozoda

Women -53kg

Women -57kg

SEPT. 27, 2023

Women -67kg

KOR

VIE

UZB

Men -68kg

Men -80kg

SEPT. 28, 2023

Women +67kg

Men +80kg

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2023

SOLOMON ISLANDS 2023 PACIFIC GAMES

Medalists by Weight Category DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NOC

DATE

EVENT

MEDAL

NAME

NOC

NOV. 28, 2023

Women -46kg

Gold

BOYAMA Yvette

PNG

NOV. 29, 2023

Men -54kg

Gold

MYRIE Isaac pat

SOL

Silver

CHAND Tanisha

FIJ

Silver

WILLIE Bobby

PNG

Bronze

NUALA Shandrea mevi lyn

SOL

Bronze

NGO Thomas

NCD

Gold

LAHOOD Juliet

AUS

Gold

CAMUA Benjamin

AUS

Silver

HUAATUA Tiare

FPO

Silver

SCOTAZ Jarmine

SOL

Bronze

ROVE Tenalyn

SOL

Bronze

SOUENON Noah

NCD

Bronze

TONA Rose

PNG

Bronze

PAUL Mou

PNG

Gold

CHARGUALAF Tierra-lynn

GUM

Gold

HO Leon

GUM

Silver

MAETIA Erika jean

SOL

Silver

LIN Shen ming richard

FIJ

Bronze

PASCHALIS Marae

PNG

Bronze

KASSMAN Dereq

PNG

Gold

HYMER Stacey

AUS

Bronze

MAHEAHEA Monovai

FPO

Silver

GAVIN Lindsay

NCD

Gold

SUMMERFIELD Matthew

AUS

Bronze

TOVES Amber

GUM

Silver

SULUMAE Nicholas

SOL

Bronze

SITAPA Angel

TGA

Bronze

TAPELU Ozwald

SAM

Gold

IORSS Kawehi

FPO

Bronze

MIYAGUCHI Edo

FPO

Silver

NAITASI Lolohea

FIJ

Gold

IORSS Rahiti

FPO

Bronze

KAEKA Guthberta

SOL

Silver

LANGI Uhila

TGA

Bronze

JOHE Fiona

PNG

Bronze

LUDAWANE Baddeley

SOL

Gold

MURRAY Rebecca

AUS

Bronze

IELI Suliano

FIJ

Silver

LOLOHEA Pauline

TGA

Gold

SWEENEY Liam

AUS

Bronze

LISA Stella

SOL

Silver

CHARE Gerard

PNG

Bronze

TEAKAUA Uriamteiti

KIR

Bronze

VALENTE Tivini

FPO

Gold

TEPEA Hiritea rautitea

FPO

Bronze

KARURU Apisai

FIJ

Silver

ATAIA Ketty

KIR

Gold

STABEN Tyrone

AUS

Bronze

KULINIAS Patricia

PNG

Silver

MAI APA Raihau

FPO

Bronze

FOUFAKA Moddie

SOL

Bronze

FAFALE Rojie jimmy

SOL

Gold

STEWART Reba

AUS

Bronze

KANIMISU Nakibwae etekieru

KIR

Silver

TEPEA Hinavai

FPO

Gold

HUAATUA Manu

FPO

Bronze

SOMA Enila

PNG

Silver

LAO Charlton alafa

SOL

Bronze

TRAILL Venice

FIJ

Bronze

JOHN Vespa

PNG

Bronze

VAIANGINA Vi

TGA

Women -49kg

Women -53kg

Women -57kg

Women -62kg

Women -67kg

Women -73kg

Women +73kg

186

Nov. 28-29 | Honiara, Solomon Islands

Men -58kg

Men -63kg

Men -68kg

Men -74kg

Men -80kg

Men -87kg

Men +87kg

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Evening of the Elite:

Game’s Best Honored at 2023 Gala Awards

MANCHESTER, UK (Dec. 3, 2023)

Best Male Athlete Cheick Sallah Cisse Cote d’Ivoire

WATCH VIDEOS

Best Para Female Athlete Claudia Romero Mexico

Taekwondo’s finest athletes, coaches and officials were today recognised at the World Taekwondo 2023 Gala Awards, marking a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary season. The Gala Awards serve as a celebration of excellence, recognising outstanding athletes, coaches and officials who have left their mark on the global Taekwondo stage throughout the year. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue opened the Gala Awards with a rousing speech that celebrated the global success of Taekwondo in its jubilee year. He also highlighted the unveiling of a Taekwondo statue at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, as well as the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) being awarded the Olympic Cup by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach as two notable achievements in 2023. The president then welcomed the Lord Mayor of Manchester, 188

Best Female Athlete Merve Dincel Turkiye

Best Para Male Athlete Antonino Bossolo Italy

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MNA of the Year Great Britain

Para Taekwondo MNA of the Year Mexico

Best Male Referee of the year Ayman Al-Adarbeh Jordan

Best Female Referee Agnieszka Scheffler Poland

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Best Coach of the year Rosendo Alonso France Team

Yasmine Dar, who noted that it was the city’s honour to again host the Taekwondo family. British Taekwondo President Sarah Stevenson also welcomed attendees before proceedings got underway. The awards commenced with Choue announcing Great Britain as the recipient of the MNA of the Year Award. The Para Taekwondo MNA of the Year was awarded to Mexico for its efforts to promote Para Taekwondo in the country and beyond. The 2023 Gala also saw the introduction of the Sustainability Awards for the first time across three key focus areas. The inaugural awards went to Australia for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community; Belgium for Health and Well-being; and Costa Rica for Environmental Sustainability. Meanwhile, the Kick of the Year Award was presented to Cote d’Ivoire’s Ruth Gbagbi. Moving onto the biggest awards of the night - the best athletes, referees and coaches - this year marked a slight departure in the voting method. Previously, the awards were decided by votes from players and coaches present at the gala site, but this year votes were cast before the gala with a 50% weighting. The other 50% belongs with the WT Technical Commission’s recommendations.

2023 Gala Awards Best Para Coach Rodrigo Ferla Brazilian Team

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The Best Female Athlete crown went to Merve Dincel of Turkiye. 2023 proved to be her most successful year yet on the international circuit, including Baku 2023 World Championships gold and her first ever Grand-Prix gold in Paris. Cote d’Ivoire’s highly decorated Cheick Sallah Cisse, the reigning World Champion, was awarded the title of Best Male Athlete of the Year. It was the perfect end to Sunday for the Ivorian Taekwondo sensation, who just hours earlier won the title at the Grand-Prix Final to add to his extensive collection of gold medals. The Best Coach award went to Rosendo Alonso, who is currently coaching with the French Taekwondo Federation programme. He has played a key role in the development of a strong Taekwondo programme in the country with the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on the horizon. Agnieszka Scheffler of Poland was recognised as the Best Female Referee, while Ayman Al-Adarbeh of Jordan was named the Best Male Referee of 2023. Adding to the accolades, the stars of Para Taekwondo were also recognised during the Gala Awards. Mexico’s Claudia Romero, who took gold at both the Paris and Taiyuan Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix, along with bronze at the World Para Taekwondo Championships in Veracruz, was recognised as the Best Para Female Athlete. Meanwhile, Para Taekwondo World Champion Antonino Bossolo of Italy was crowned the Best Para Male Athlete following a successful year that also included gold at the Paris 2023 Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix. Rodrigo Ferla, who continues to play a key role in strengthening Brazil’s gold-standard Para Taekwondo programme, was awarded the Best Para Coach of 2023. In addition, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of the Fujairah won the first-ever Taekwondo Humanitarian Trophy. The crown prince will be officially awarded the trophy by Choue in February 2024.

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Sustainability Award Australia: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community

Sustainability Award Belgium: Health and Well-being Costa Rica: Environmental Sustainability

Kick of the year Ruth Gbagbi Cote d’Ivoire

2023 Gala Awards

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PART 2

AROUND WT

Taekwondo Statue Unveiled at Olympic Museum in Lausanne LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Nov. 15, 2023)

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In commemoration of World Taekwondo’s Golden Jubilee, a Taekwondo statue was unveiled at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne today during a special ceremony attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue. The statue, which stands close to the Olympic Flame and the statue of the founder of the Olympic Movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, depicts two Taekwondo athletes mid-contest, both attempting to land a kick to the head. The statue is mounted on an octagonal platform which displays the World Taekwondo and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) logos, the five continents and the phrase, “Sport of Hopes and Dreams.”

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Among those in attendance at the ceremony were IOC Vice President Ser Miang Ng, IOC Member and International Skating Union President Jaeyoul Kim, World Taekwondo Vice Presidents and members of the Council, World Baseball Softball Confederation President Riccardo Fraccari, International University Sports Federation (FISU) President Leonz Eder, Kukkiwon President Dongsub Lee, and Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Acting Chairman Jonggap Lee. IOC President Bach said: “It is such a great honour and pleasure to see Taekwondo is taking its rightful place in the park of the Olympic Museum among the other inspiring artworks. This rightful place is more than deserved as Taekwondo is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. This is a remarkable achievement in light of the fact you made your debut in the Olympic Games only 23 years ago at Sydney 2000. Since then you have not stopped growing your wonderful sport which now enjoys a truly global appeal. I would like to highlight the outstanding vision and leadership of Dr. Choue. This statue stands for your important place in the Olympic Programme and Movement and your strong standing in our 204

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global community.” Speaking following the unveil, World Taekwondo President Choue said: “I have been dreaming of this moment for a long, long time. For many years, I wished for a statue to symbolize Taekwondo’s importance in the Olympic Family. Today is the day. “I wish to thank so many people, but especially to the IOC president for accepting this dream of mine. I also wish to thank Ser Miang and to the Olympic Museum director, Angelita, for making this dream into a reality. “As you can see, we have many friends from the Council who are here today. This is true solidarity and friendship. We always help each other no matter how difficult things may 206

be. Even more importantly, we are happy because our sport can make others happy. “Taekwondo is a sport that aspires to Olympism and Peace. This is what makes Taekwondo a truly global sport for all.” World Taekwondo commissioned lead sculptor Milos Ippoliti to create the statue, along with Paolo Vanzolini(Technical performance) and Gianluca Pompilio(Collaborator). The ceremony continued inside the Olympic Museum with a poomsae demonstration by Italian and Swiss athletes. Bach presented Choue with the Olympic Cup in his capacity as THF chairman for the organisation’s commitment to addressing the global humanitarian crisis through sports. 207

Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation

Honored with Olympic Cup LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Nov. 15, 2023)

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation was today awarded the Olympic Cup by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in recognition of the foundation’s work in empowering refugees around the world through Taekwondo. Bach presented the Olympic Cup to THF Chairman and World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue during a special ceremony in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. The Olympic Cup was established in 1906 by Pierre de Coubertin and is awarded annually by the IOC as the highest distinction for an organisation with a proven record of promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement. Bach said: “With the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, we are awarding the Olympic Cup to an organisation that embodies the deeply humanitarian spirit of Olympic sport like few others. “World Taekwondo through its foundation shares our belief in sport as a force for good in the world. The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation carries this power of sport to those who need it most: refugees worldwide and in particular to children and youth, empowering and educating them through Taekwondo. Through your programmes and

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academies in refugee camps in Jordan, Rwanda, Eswatini, or Turkiye, or in cities with large populations of displaced people like Paris, or right here in Lausanne, you are brining hope through sport to one of the most vulnerable groups of society. “From the refugee camps to the Olympic stage, the THF is demonstrating the Olympic spirit in action.” Speaking during the ceremony, Choue said: “Thank you for this amazing recognition of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, and of World Taekwondo. I am humbled to receive this Olympic Cup from my dear friend Thomas and in front of many, many wonderful friends of Taekwondo. This is what we can do when we collectively use sport for the greater good. “This year, WT celebrates our Golden Jubilee. There have been many highlights so far, and among the most important is the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Azraq, Jordan. Taekwondo is a sport of hopes and dreams. In a sport like Taekwondo, everyone is equal and because of that, everyone has an opportunity, whether to be an athlete, an official, or to be a fan. WT welcomes everyone. “In fact, I have the pleasure to inform you that in Azraq camp, we now have 100 refugees and displaced persons who are black belt holders. In seven years, we have fulfilled the hopes and dreams of thousands of refugees and displaced persons around the world. Our aim now is to support the aspirations of refugee athletes to become Olympic medalists at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It is not easy but we will never give up. That’s why our motto for next year is, ‘Aspiring Olympism and Peace.’” Next year, the THF will organise the second Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan at the end of April. The presentation of the Olympic Cup was not the only highlight of the day: A Taekwondo statue was unveiled outside the entrance of the Olympic Museum.

Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation honoured with Olympic Cup The Olympic Cup was established in 1906 by Pierre de Coubertin and is awarded annually by the IOC as the highest distinction for an organisation with a proven record of promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement.

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Hong Kong Signs Host City Contract for 2024 World Poomsae Championships SEOUL, Korea (May 12, 2023)

2024 World Juniors Head to Chuncheon; 2024 World Poomsae Goes to Hong Kong BANGKOK, Thailand (Feb. 1, 2023)

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The World Taekwondo Council today met for the first time this year in Bangkok, Thailand, in a hybrid format to discuss a number of key matters including selecting Chuncheon, Korea, and Hong Kong, China, as the hosts of the 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships and 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, respectively. Chuncheon was awarded the 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships following a competition between the Korean city, Hong Kong and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the second time that the World Taekwondo Junior Championships, which started in Barcelona, Spain, in 1996, will be held in Korea. It was first held in the country 20 years ago, in Suncheon in 2004. For the 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, Hong Kong was the sole candidate and selected unanimously. It will be the first time Hong Kong has hosted the event, which began in 2006. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “We are delighted to confirm Chuncheon and Hong Kong as the hosts of next year’s World Junior and Poomsae Championships. We have no doubt that they will organise fantastic events and provide an excellent environment for the athletes to compete at their very best. Awarding these two events is further evidence of the strength of Taekwondo and the global interest in hosting our championships. It comes as we mark our 50th anniversary and celebrate how, from humble beginnings, we have prospered and made World Taekwondo one of the world’s largest International Federations.” The Council meeting began with a moment’s silence for the pass-

ing of former World Taekwondo Vice President Phillip Coles from Australia and former Chair of the World Taekwondo Committee Euimin Ko of Germany. Following statements from the IOC with regard to the status of athletes from Russia and Belarus, the Council expressed its full support for the IOC’s position to respect the rights of all athletes without any discrimination, which is in line with the mission of World Taekwondo. World Taekwondo will continue to discuss with the IOC the reintegration of athletes to Taekwondo competitions, including qualification pathways to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. World Taekwondo believes that sport can and should be used to reconcile and heal, rather than to separate. During the meeting, the Council also approved the inauguration of World Cup Taekwondo Team Championships in Korea this year as well as Chuncheon’s bid to organise the 2023 World Taekwondo Beach Championships, Octagon Diamond Game, and Demonstration Team Championships as a Cultural Festival. The Council also welcomed two new members: Ms. Nikita Glasnovic and Mr. Stephen Lambdin who are the co-chairs of the Athletes Committee whose terms will be until Baku General Assembly. There were reports on this year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Best Athletes of Past Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the LA 2028 qualification system, as well as Para Taekwondo’s inclusion in the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

Hong Kong today signed the Host City Contract for the 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships at a special ceremony at the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue and Hong Kong Taekwondo Association President Louis Ching signed the contract for the championships, which will be the first-ever Poomsae Championships held in Hong Kong, China. Hong Kong was unanimously selected to host the event at the last World Taekwondo Council meeting in Bangkok on Feb. 1. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “It is our great pleasure to sign this Host City Contract with Hong Kong and formalise our partnership to host the 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships. We are delighted to take the championships to Hong Kong for the first time and to continue to grow the popularity of poomsae around the world. We know that under President Ching’s leadership Hong Kong will host an unforgettable event.” The World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships was first held in 2006 and has been staged 12 times since then. Last year’s event in Goyang, Korea saw 784 athletes from 62 countries take part.

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It’s Wuxi! WT Council Votes for Chinese City to Host 2025 World Championships 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships awarded to UAE; Namibia set to become 213th MNA BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 28, 2023)

WATCH VIDEOS

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The World Taekwondo Council today elected Wuxi, China as the host of the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships following a highly competitive bid process which reflected the global demand to host Taekwondo. Wuxi was elected with 14 votes out of 26 eligible votes, overcoming rival bids from Sofia, Bulgaria; Zagreb, Croatia; and Charlotte, USA. It will be the second time that mainland China has hosted the World Championships following Beijing’s hosting in 2007. Hong Kong, China, had also hosted the event in 1997. The Council selected Fujairah, UAE, to host the 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships as the sole candidate for the event. During the meeting, the Council approved Namibia’s application to become a WT Member National Association (MNA) which, pending approval by the General Assembly later today, will see the African nation become World Taekwondo’s 213th MNA. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “Congratulations to Wuxi and Fujairah for their successful bids to host the 2025 World Taekwon213

Signing Ceremony Held for Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships WUXI, China (Dec. 16, 2023)

do Championships and Cadet Championships respectively. Wuxi has become a hub of Taekwondo as home of the Grand Slam Champions Series and Fujairah is growing its experience with more and more Taekwondo events. We have no doubt that they will host excellent events in 2025. We would also like to congratulate the other bidders who made excellent presentations and showed the strength of Taekwondo around the world.” During the meeting there were also updates on Chuncheon’s plans for the World Taekwondo Headquarters and a presentation on the Gangwon-Chuncheon World Taekwondo Cultural Festival. More updates on World Taekwondo’s MNA survey and integrity audit were delivered. Choue also announced that in cooperation with the Singapore National Olympic Committee, the suspension of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation has been lifted. Justin Hou, member of the IOC Culture and Heritage Commission, was appointed a Taekwondo Humanitarian Ambassador, in recognition of his contribution to the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, and dedication to engaging with refugees and displaced persons.

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WT Symposium Focuses on Taekwondo’s Value, Future BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 28, 2023)

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue today hosted a signing ceremony with Mr. Jianmin Guan, President of the Chinese Taekwondo Association and Mr. Yongxin Qin, vice mayor of Wuxi Municipal People’s Government, for the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships. In attendance at the ceremony were World Taekwondo Secretary General Mr. Jeongkang Seo, World Taekwondo Council members Mr. Jinbang Yang and Ms. Jingyu Wu. Speaking following the signing ceremony, World Taekwondo President Choue said: “We are delighted to have formalise our agreement with Wuxi who we have no doubt will host an unforgettable World Championships in 2025. Wuxi has demonstrated itself as a Taekwondo-loving city with the successful hosting of the Grand Slam Champions Series.” Wuxi was selected to host the World Championships during the WT Council meeting in Baku in May 2023. World Taekwondo today hosted the World Taekwondo Symposium with expert academic speakers to discuss the positive value of Taekwondo and ideas for its future based on scientific research. The symposium was opened by World Taekwondo Education Committee Chair and President of the French Taekwondo Association Hassane Sadok, who provided an analysis of the existing academic research which has been conducted into Taekwondo. Sadok looked at how research into performance analysis and injury prevention and other key areas is providing a greater understanding of the benefits of Taekwondo practice. Hadwah Moawad, Chair of Taekwondo For All and World Taekwondo Para Taekwondo Classification Committee, presented on Taekwondo for Better life and the 12 strategies implemented by World Taekwondo to improve quality of life in both external and internal dimensions. Hyun-chul Jung, Professor, College of Physical Education at Kyung Hee University presented the scientific development in Taekwondo studies across the three main areas of

research: 1) Athletic performance, 2) Preventing sports injury, and 3) Health promotion. Mohsen Kazemi, professor of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, assessed the impact of weight classifications in Taekwondo and posited that based on the data available it could be worth considering pursuing categorisation based on height. The final presentation was delivered by Dr. Paul Viscogliosi, a specialist in emergency trauma, who looked at the evolution of safety in Taekwondo competitions and how the changes to Taekwondo competitions has significantly reduced injuries in the sport. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue thanked the speakers for their presentations and emphasised the importance of the World Taekwondo Symposium which he launched nearly 20 years ago to encourage greater academic research and engagement on Taekwondo. The symposium concluded with an interactive panel discussion with speakers taking questions from the audience. 215

The World Taekwondo General Assembly convened today, exactly 50 years on from its founding meeting, to discuss key matters and reaffirm unity among the Taekwondo family. The General Assembly welcomed Namibia as its 213th Member National Association (MNA) reflecting the significant global growth of Taekwondo from just 17 MNAs when the International Federation was founded 50 years ago. Addressing delegates, World Taekwondo President Choue said: “It is my great privilege to open the 36th General Assembly on the same date as the founding of World Taekwondo half a century ago. We have come a long way in the past 50 years. We are strongly united as a family, and we have stayed together no matter what kind of challenges we faced. You are my family. This is how I have been feeling all these years and I treasure the moments we have together. Thank you for your friendship and solidarity. Our harmony and togetherness are the foundation of our success. Your solidarity and dedication will be the basis for another 50 amazing years of World Taekwondo.” In a special congratulatory message for World Taekwondo’s 50th anniversary, IOC President Thomas Bach said:

“As you celebrate this great milestone you can look back on 50 years of great progress. Starting with only 17 MNAs 50 years ago you made your Olympic debut at the Olympic Games Sydney 2000. Since then you have not stopped growing and developing your sport. In this context, I would like to in particular highlight the outstanding achievements accomplished under the leadership of President Choue. He has made Taekwondo one of the fastest, if not the fastest, growing sports in the world which is now a truly global sport. As your 213 member associations today underline in an impressive way, Taekwondo now enjoys worldwide appeal. In this way you are bringing together people all over the world in peaceful competition, thereby promoting our shared Olympic values.” During the General Assembly there were a number of presentations and reports including the 2022-2023 Operation and Finance Reports, the qualification process for the LA 2028 Olympics, and the advancement of Virtual Taekwondo which will feature as the only combat sport in the IOC’s Olympic Esports Week. The next General Assembly will be held in Chuncheon in Korea on the occasion of the 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships.

World Taekwondo General Assembly Gathers for WT’s 50th Anniversary BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 28, 2023)

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Half Century of WT Hailed at Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 27, 2023)

WATCH VIDEOS

World Taekwondo 50th Anniversary

The World Taekwondo family celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding with a Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner which honoured some of the Member National Associations and athletes who have played an integral role in the sport’s success over the last 50 years. The dinner was held in Baku’s iconic Heydar Aliyev Centre with around 450 guests in attendance including World Taekwondo Council members, MNAs and referees as well as VIP guests – IOC Vice President Ser Miang Ng and Farid Gayibov, minister of Youth and Sports in Azerbaijan. The event was held on the eve of WT’s 50th anniversary to coincide with the founding anniversary of the nation of Azerbaijan. The 17 MNAs – Austria, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Uganda and USA – that attended the inaugural World Taekwondo General Assembly on 28 May 1973 were presented with special awards. A commemorative video of the 50th anniversary was also played for the attending guests. 220

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Awards were presented to outstanding male and female athletes from each Olympic Games Taekwondo has featured in, starting from Sydney 2000 up to most recently Tokyo 2020 where Taekwondo also featured in the Paralympic Games for the first time. The athletes were selected by an adhoc nomination committee based on the following criteria. The awarded athletes are: Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Michail Mouroutsos – Greece (M-58kg) Jae-eun Jung – Korea (W-57kg) Athens 2004 Olympic Games Mu-yen Chu – Chinese Taipei (M-58kg) Chen Zhong – China (W+67kg) Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Hadi Saei – Iran (M-80kg) Jingyu Wu – China (W-49kg) London 2012 Olympic Games Servet Tazegul – Turkiye (M-68kg) Kyung-seon Hwang –Korea (W-67kg) Rio 2016 Olympic Games Cheick Sallah Cisse – Cote d’Ivoire (M-80kg) Jade Jones – Great Britain (W-57kg) Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Ulugbek Rashitov – Uzbekistan (M-68kg) Milica Mandic – Serbia (W+67kg) Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Nathan Torquato – Brazil (M-61kg) Lisa Gjessing – Denmark (W-58kg) The evening ended with a spectacular drone show which lit up the skies of Baku.

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WT Chooses City of Chuncheon as Future HQ SEOUL, Korea (Apr. 24, 2023)

World Taekwondo has selected Chuncheon in Korea’s Gangwon Province, northeast of Seoul, as its preferred city following an extensive bid and evaluation process. World Taekwondo and Chuncheon will discuss the proposed details for the new headquarters, including location, construction, rights and responsibilities, financial support and design, between April 28 and July 28. Once the final details have been agreed, an official contract signing ceremony will be scheduled for August. The selection of Chuncheon followed an open bid process overseen by a specially created ad-hoc Evaluation Committee chaired by World Taekwondo Treasurer Pimol Srivikorn and composed of Maher Magableh, World Taekwondo Council member and World Taekwondo Advisors Young-sun Kim (former diplomat), Juh-wan Seo (professor of landscape architecture) and Hyeong-taek Lee (lawyer). 224

As part of the bid process, cities were invited to submit letters of intent. On February 10, 2023, notice of solicitation was sent to the cities of Chuncheon and Gimpo. Proposals and the completed questionnaires were submitted by the two cities on April 17. Both cities had the opportunity to present their proposals with Chuncheon presenting on April 18 and Gimpo on April 19. Later, the committee members made site visits to the both cities on April 18 and April 19 respectively before they organized the evaluation meetings on April 19 and April 24 to select the successful candidate. Chuncheon was selected as the preferred host city based on its strong Taekwondo heritage, having hosted many national and international Taekwondo events for the past 20 years, and its high scores across the evaluation criteria of sustainability, suitability, facility infrastructure and expected impact. 225

World Taekwondo Council Meets in Chuncheon CHUNCHEON, Korea (Aug. 18, 2023)

Agreement on Relocation of WT HQ to Chuncheon Signed CHUNCHEON, Korea (Aug. 19, 2023)

The World Taekwondo Council convened today for an Extraordinary Meeting that marked several significant milestones, including the awarding of the inaugural World Virtual Championships in 2024 to Singapore, and the approval of the Implementation Agreement with Chuncheon on the Relocation of the headquarters of World Taekwondo. The Council meeting took place in a hybrid format on the opening day of the Gangwon-Chuncheon World Taekwondo Cultural Festival. In addition to the Council members, the meeting was attended by IOC Vice President Ser Miang Ng. 226

The creation of the World Taekwondo Virtual Championships, meanwhile, follows the success of the discipline at the first-ever Olympic Esports Week (OEW) in Singapore, where Virtual Taekwondo delivered the most memorable highlights of the event. Singapore will host the inaugural edition of Virtual Taekwondo Championships in 2024. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “Congratulations to Singapore on the awarding of the first-ever World Taekwondo Virtual Championships. Following the resounding success of the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore, I can think of no better host to stage this important new event and bring Virtual Taekwondo to the world. This is a key milestone for Taekwondo which reflects our commitment to innovation and engaging new audiences.” During the meeting, the Council also approved the Implementation Agreement on the Relocation of the headquarters of World Taekwondo. The agreement follows an extensive bid and evaluation process, in which Chuncheon was selected based on its strong Taekwondo heritage and high scores across the evaluation criteria of sustainability, suitability, facility infrastructure and expected impact.

Chuncheon was also awarded the World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond Game, the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team Championships and the World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge from 2024 to 2026. The Host City Contract was signed by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue and Chuncheon Mayor Donghan Yook. Meanwhile, the World Taekwondo Council welcomed Athletes Committee Co-Chairs Wu Jingyu and Cheick Salleh Cisse, who are now ex-officio members on the Council, to ensure that the athletes’ voices are represented at the highest level within the federation. Finally, the Council received reports on World Taekwondo’s Safeguarding Initiative, which is a strategic follow up to the Hammamet Declaration on Safe Sport that it announced in 2018. The Safeguarding Initiative has 13 representatives from World Taekwondo’s administration and Continental Unions who will undertake the IOC Safeguarding Certification program. The next World Taekwondo Council Meeting will be held in May 2024, in Muju, Korea.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue and Chuncheon Mayor Donghan Yook signed an Implementation Agreement on the Relocation of the Headquarters of World Taekwondo to Chuncheon during the opening ceremony of the Gangwon Chuncheon 2023 World Taekwondo Cultural Festival. The purpose of the agreement is to establish the rights and obligations of World Taekwondo and the city of Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, with the aim of relocating the headquarters of World Taekwondo to Chuncheon Songam Sports Town. Chuncheon plans to construct a four-story building with a gross floor area of approximately 3,100m2 to host the federation. Construction would take place from 20242027 and would see a performance hall, memorial hall, exhibition room, reception and rest area on the first and second floors, with the third and fourth floors reserved for office space, and various types of meeting rooms. The rooftop will have a garden and observatory facility. Chuncheon hopes to enhance the image of the city through its hosting of the headquarters of World Taekwondo and develop the headquarters into a tourist attraction which hosts various types of international events. Chuncheon will provide integrated education programs to promote the values of body, virtue and knowledge through practising Taekwondo and promote the growth of Taekwondo as an industry. Speaking following the ceremony, World Taekwondo President Choue said: “Chuncheon City has hosted many international and domestic Taekwondo competitions over the past few decades and with the establishment of the headquarters of World Taekwondo here we will significantly increase the synergies between Chuncheon City and our federation.” 227

Taekwondo announced the chairs of its Commissions and WT Appoints, Re-Appoints World Committees with greater female representation than ever before, reCommission, Committee flecting the federation’s commitment to gender equality. The chairs include a mixture of new appointments and re-appointChairs, Raises ments with terms running through until the end of the Paris 2024 Female Representation Olympic and Paralympic Games, or until the 2025 World Taekwondo

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SEOUL, Korea (Sept. 21, 2023)

General Assembly and World Championships, depending on the individual commission or committee. Of the 29 available positions, 11 are held by women, representing 38% - an increase from 34% in the previous term.

SEOUL, Korea (Jul. 31, 2023)

Member Relations and Development Commission & Development Committee Chair (Re-appointed)

WT President Holds Video Conference with Committee Chairs

Technical Commission (newly appointed as Acting Chair) & Games Committee Chair (Re-appointed)

Athletes Committee

Coaches Committee

Maria Borello Castillo

Mohamed Shaaban

Jingyu Wu

Cheick Cisse

Robert Taaffe

Guatemala

Egypt

China

Cote d’Ivoire

Ireland

Until 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Until Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Until 2027 World Taekwondo Championships

Until 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Remarks: WT Vice President

Remarks: WT Council Member

Remarks: Newly Elected

Education Committee

Finance Committee

Integrity Committee

Education Committee

Medical & Anti-doping Committee

Hassane Sadok

Pimol Srivikorn

Jean-Marie Ayer

Jason Pfeffer

Dae-hyoun Jeong

France

Thailand

Switzerland

USA

Korea

Until 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Until Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Remarks: Re-appointed

Remarks: WT Treasurer

Remarks: WT Council Member

Remarks: Newly Appointed

Remarks: Re-appointed

Para Taekwondo Committee

Para Taekwondo Classification Committee & Taekwondo For All Committee Chair (Re-apointed)

Poomsae Committee

Referee Committee

Sustainability Committee

Usman Dildar

Hadwah Moawad

Jung-heon Kim

Songchul Kim

Jamie Lee Carpenter

Great Britain

Saudi Arabia

Korea

Canada

New Zealand

Until Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Until 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Until Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Until 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Remarks: Newly Appointed

Remarks: Re-appointed

Remarks: Newly Appointed

Remarks: WT Council Member

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue today met with the newly appointed and re-appointed WT Committee chairs via video conference to ensure alignment between all the committees and to develop a coordinated plan for the years ahead. Choue reiterated that everyone in World Taekwondo must continually strive for excellence. He said: “The past two cycles of the committees have been somewhat disrupted due to the pandemic. During this time, we had the chance to rethink, review, and reset ourselves. Now, we restart our mission to be the most respected International Federation in the Olympic and Paralympic movements. I want you, the committee chairs, to develop key milestones of your committees from now until the end of 2025. But I don’t want you to do it individually. First of all, I want the committees to work closely with the respective departments. Furthermore, our Sustainability Strategy and its milestones are the guiding document, and should be integrated where appropriate.” Choue addressed each chair individually to outline his expectations and discuss their plans for their committees. With Technical Commission and Games Committee Chair Mohamed Shaaban.

President Choue emphasised the importance of delivering the best possible competitions, especially the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Choue asked Education Committee Chair Hassane Sadok to study how to expand the education programmes to reach a wider audience. For Athletes’ Committee Co-Chair Cheick Sallah Cisse, Choue reiterated the importance of ensuring the athlete voice is represented and asked the committee to make sure there is awareness of key initiatives for athletes. Coaches Committee Chair Robert Taaffe was tasked with offering technical expertise to the competition rule-making process and serving the voices of the coaches. Lastly, Finance Committee Chair Pimol Srivikorn was asked to make the financial system more automated and contribute ideas to new sources of revenue. World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo gave a brief update from Mexico from the World Para Taekwondo Championships. World Taekwondo Sport and Event Management Department Senior Director Jay Lee then provided a short presentation on the key events this year and next year.

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In the Heart of the Champs-Elysees: WT Gets Peak Inside Unique, Iconic and Historic Paris 2024 Olympic Taekwondo Venue PARIS, France (Sept. 2, 2023)

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue led a World Taekwondo delegation on a visit to the historic and iconic Grand Palais which will serve as the Olympic & Paralympic Taekwondo venues at Paris 2024. President Choue was joined by World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo and World Taekwondo’s Technical Delegate for Paris 2024 Mohamed Shaaban. The Grand Palais is located in the Champs-Élysées in the centre of Paris. It was built at the end of the 19th century to be a large-scale venue for artistic events. During the visit, the delegation saw the main area where the field of play will be set up and where spectators will be seated as they cheer on their favourite athletes. The Paris 2024 Taekwondo Sports Manager Mehdi Bensafi, as well as the Technical Operations Manager and the venue architect explained ongoing renovations around the ceiling, lighting and temperature which are being considered to ensure the best environment for athletes. The iconic venue also presents a number of exciting opportunities for spectacular sports presentation which were shown during the visit and which will be revealed at the Games. World Taekwondo President Choue said: “It was wonderful to visit the Grand Palais and get a sense of the incredible competitions we will experience next year. It will be a remarkable moment for Taekwondo to be in this venue with such a rich history. We are sure that athletes will have a great feeling competing here and it will only add to what will be a very special Olympic Games for them.”

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Paris 2024 Technical Delegate Mohamed Shaaban Preparing ‘Spectacular’ Olympic Competition BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 28, 2023)

With just over one year to go to the Olympic Games, World Taekwondo’s Technical Delegate, Mohamed Shaaban, has no doubt that fans can expect a “spectacular” Taekwondo competition in 2024. “I do believe that this will be the most impressive venue we have ever had for Taekwondo at an Olympic Games,” says Shaaban, a WT Council Member. “I think it’s a great opportunity for Taekwondo. The location of the Grand Palais is amazing. It’s in the Champs-Élysées in the centre of Paris. It will be historic. It will add more glamour to Taekwondo. I think it will be spectacular.” He continued, “France is a stronghold in Taekwondo and has easy access for a lot of European countries to drive in. So, I do believe it will be remarkable in terms of spectator engagement and online engagement.” As the youngest ever World Taekwondo Technical Delegate for an Olympic Games and the first from Africa, Shaaban recognises he has an important role to play in ensuring this iconic location is properly transformed into a world-class environment for the athletes. “The role of Technical Delegate is to supervise the technical aspects of the sport, coordinating with other IFs and Paris 2024 ensuring that the competition rules and regulations are followed, overseeing the field of play and equipment, and monitoring the overall smooth running of the competition. “Our collaboration with Paris 2024 is very good. We are lucky

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because the competition manager of Paris 2024 is a former Taekwondo coach at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games; we know him very well and the relationship is excellent.” As the Games Committee Chairman, Shaaban is confident that officials from Paris 2024 and the WT Sport Department will find solutions for the current challenges and deliver an outstanding Taekwondo event. “It is a great honour to be appointed by President Choue as the Technical Delegate,” Shaaban says. “It comes with a lot of responsibility and commitment to the Games so I thank him for his trust, and I will do my best to live up to it and to our Taekwondo family expectations. “We have an operational test in August. We are testing several aspects of the venue setup, focusing on an efficient transition from Fencing to Taekwondo in a timely manner, sports presentation, and systematic operations. Like at any Olympic Games there are inevitably solutions which need to be found and the huge opportunities presented by the Grand Palais also come with some challenges. “Grand Palais is an amazing venue; we are lucky to be there. But because of the weather in summer, the temperature, and the glass ceiling, we are working with Paris 2024 to find solutions to make sure it does not hamper the performance of the athletes. We will test the technology and utilise local athletes for that event.” In order to ensure the best competition, Shaaban is also looking back to Tokyo 2020 to see what lessons can be learnt. “In Tokyo we saw some good headshots that the PSS could not capture. In Paris we will try to mitigate that, enhancing the PSS and adding video replays for head kicks as a fail safe. So now if there’s a headshot and the system does not capture it, the coach has the right to ask for it as a valid point. We are trying to give the best competition environment for the coach and the athletes,” Shaaban explains. “In Tokyo we didn’t have the crowd so we missed a lot without them but we understand the circumstances with COVID-19. In Paris we are working on developing the lighting system surrounding the field of play. You will see the ring light up with a blue or red light, depending on who scores points. The scoreboard will be enhanced so if fans tune in on TV at any time they can see all the information and will always be up to speed. It will also be the first time to use the ‘best of three rounds’ system at the Olympic Games, which brings added excitement.” It is clear that Taekwondo fans have much to look forward to in Paris, from a historic venue in the city’s heart, to new competition formats and enhanced spectator engagement. But as ever it will be the athletes who are the core of the Games and Shaaban is confident that by providing them with a high quality platform they will deliver another fantastic Olympic competition. “In Tokyo we had a lot of youngsters who made their name winning gold medals so everyone is interested to see how it will go in Paris. I do believe it will be an open ticket for everyone.”

Cisse and Malak Nominated for IOC Athletes’ Commission Election CHUNCHEON, Korea (Aug. 22, 2023)

Olympic Champion and World Taekwondo Athletes’ Committee Chair Cheick Sallah Cisse and two-time Olympic bronze Medalist Hedaya Malak have been nominated as candidates for the IOC Athletes’ Commission elections to be held during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Cisse and Malak were proposed by their National Olympic Committees - Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt, respectively and approved by the IOC Executive Board following confirmation of their eligibility to stand in the elections. Cisse, who in his role as chair of the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Committee, serves as an ex-officio member of the World Taekwondo Council, became the first Ivorian to ever win an Olympic gold medal in a dramatic M-80kg final at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Cisse has gone on to establish himself as one of the most successful athletes in the sport with a ton of Grand-Prix medals. This year, in Baku, Azerbaijan, he became world champion in the M+87kg. Malak is responsible for half of Egypt’s total Olympic medals in Taekwondo, having won bronze at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games. She has won four GrandPrix gold medals including one gold and continues to set the standards for female Taekwondo fighters in Egypt. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “We are delighted to see Cheick Sallah Cisse and Hedaya Malak nominated for the IOC Athletes’ Commission elections. Both athletes are legends of our sport and inspire people not just in their own countries but throughout Africa and beyond. We are proud to have Cisse serve on the World Taekwondo Council as Athletes’ Committee Chair and we have no doubt that both he and Malak would make excellent contributions to the IOC Athletes’ Commission. We wish them both the best of luck in the elections.” 233

Taekwondo Fields 2nd Biggest Team of Refugee Athlete Scholarship Holders

WT President, Senegalese NOC, Talk Possibilities Surrounding 2026 Youth Olympic Games DAKAR, Senegal (Mar. 2, 2023)

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Aug. 25, 2023)

Taekwondo Olympian Taps into Athlete Experience as Dakar 2026 Sports Director

Four more Taekwondo athletes have been added to the existing Refugee Athlete scholarship holders, bringing the total number to 14. That makes Taekwondo the second largest sport to be represented after Athletics. The list, which comprises a total of 63 refugee athlete scholarship holders from 12 countries living in 23 host countries and representing 13 sports, was released by the Olympic Refuge Foundation(ORF) on August 25, 2023. Some athletes will have a chance to be selected to the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024. The final composition of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024 will be announced in 2024. The Taekwondo athletes on the list are: Abdullah Sediqi Oly Dina Pouryounes Langeroudi Ehsan Naghibzadeh Gaston Nsazumukiza Hadi Tiranvalipour Kasra Mehdipournejad Kimia Alizadeh Zenozi Mahdia Sharifi Marzieh Hamidi Mohammad Emami Robert Mujica Roima Indonesia Mujica Silva Wael Fawaz Al-Farraj Yahya Al Ghotany 234

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue joined a press conference hosted by International Olympic Committee Member and President of the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee Mamadou Ndiaye in Dakar, Senegal, on March 2. Their discussion included WT and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) activities for refugees worldwide. Another key discussion addressed at the press conference was Senegal’s potential hosting of the 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, and the Qualification Tournament for the Youth Olympic Games in the same year. With the 2026 Youth Olympics set to be held in Dakar, Senegal – the first time an Olympic event has been held in Africa - the Senegalese NOC is strongly behind the additional possibilities discussed with Choue. Taekwondo is on a surge at the Youth Olympic Games. The quota for Taekwondo athletes at Dakar 2026 has been increased from 100 to 120 following the success of the competition at the last Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A mixed-team event will also take place at Dakar 2026 for the first time, in addition to five individual weight categories each for male and female athletes. After the press conference, Choue and WT Secretary General Jeongkang Seo visited the Monument de la Renaissance. where a demonstration was performed by the Senegal Taekwondo Federation.

Having competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the Muju 2017 World Taekwondo Championships among other major competitions, Balla Dieye has a clear understanding of what athletes need to compete at their best. As the recently appointed Sports Director for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Dieye, from Senegal, intends to put his experience as an athlete to the benefit of those competing at the Games. “Being a former athlete will be an advantage, because I’m already familiar with the demands of the top level, as well as the rigor in work and the quest to do well in order to achieve better results,” Dieye says. “In my new role, it’s not the same thing, but we’ll all do our utmost to succeed in this mission.” “I’d like to thank Mr. Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, and his coordinator, Mr. Ibrahima Wade, for this appointment as Dakar 2026 Sports Director. My priority is to really prepare a great team to deliver the Dakar 2026 YOG.”

Dieye, who has also served as Secretary General of the African Taekwondo Union from 2021, has no doubt that athletes of all sports will be able to enjoy an excellent Games. “Young athletes can look forward to a unique games for the first time on African soil; Games of cultural festivity. For Taekwondo, I have no doubt that the Senegalese Taekwondo Federation, with its experience in organization, will take advantage of World Taekwondo and AFTU to make this a fantastic competition. I think that the legacy of these games will be beneficial for Senegal and also for Africa.” Legacy will be particularly important given the historic nature of the event. “As the president of the IOC said, it is the time of Africa,” Dieye explains. “Senegal is a country of diverse cultures and hospitality. Africa is together with Senegal to meet the challenges of the organization but also to make the YOG an unforgettable party in Africa and unique in its kind.” “The heritage of the YOG is very important, especially of the federations because Dakar will have the largest number of sports, 35. Heritage will be enormous in all areas linked to the YOG - the change is already visible in Senegal in infrastructure, etc. It will contribute enormously to young athletes, especially for the transition to go to the big Games.”

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Olympians, World Champs from Spain’s Hankuk International School Visit WT HQ SEOUL, Korea (Aug. 7, 2023)

Athletes, including an Olympic medalist and a world champion, and coaches from Spain’s Hankuk International School today met with World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue at the World Taekwondo headquarters in Seoul ahead of competing in upcoming events in Korea. Those in attendance included Tokyo 2020 silver Medalist Adriana Cerezo of Spain, recent Baku 2023 World Champion Luana Marton of Hungary and her twin sister Viviana Marton, and Spain’s Tashkent 2019 Cadet Championships bronze Medalist Elsa Hernández. They were joined by Sofía García, Laura Rodríguez, Marta Calvo, Lena Moreno and Iker Abad from Spain and Sebastián Tan of Malaysia. The Hankuk International School is based in Madrid and Taekwondo Olympian Suvi Mikkonen from Finland and Jesus Ramal coach the athletes. Mikkonen and Ramal accompanied the athletes during the visit to the World Taekwondo headquarters. Mikkonen retired from competing in 2021 having almost competed at Tokyo 2020 after qualifying via the European tournament. She competed at Rio 2016 and London 2012 as well as six World Championships and 10 Grand-Prix. Mikkonen is currently a member of the World Taekwondo Coaches Committee and was selected by the World Taekwondo For All Committee to participate in the Women in Sport High Performance Pathway (WISH) leadership programme for 21 months with the support of Olympic solidarity funding. WISH aims to help 100 women coaches develop their leadership skills, confidence and careers and was set up to address the 236

gender imbalance in coaches at the Olympic Games. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “We are delighted to welcome the athletes and coaches from the Hankuk International School to the World Taekwondo Headquarters. The Hankuk International School has had great success in developing Taekwondo champions and great credit must be paid to its coaches.” Coach Mikkonen expressed her gratitude to the president for the recommendation of her participation in the WISH programme and stated her high expectations. Following the visit, the athletes will participate in the 2023 Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships on 11-12 August.

Thai Taekwondo Awarded for Decades of Achievements

World Taekwondo Donates to Taekwondo Community Affected by Earthquake in Turkiye

BANGKOK, Thailand (Feb. 1, 2023)

The Taekwondo Association of Thailand has won four honors for its decades of achievements by the Sport Press Association of Thailand - more than any other Thai sport federation. In a ceremony held by the media organization at the Akshara King Power Theater, the following were honored: Sport Association of the 3rd Decade: Taekwondo Association of Thailand Sports Man of the 2nd Decade: Pimol Srivikorn The Moment of the 3rd Decade, Memories of the Decade: Coach Young-seok Choi Athlete of the 3rd Decade, Golden Player: Panipak Wongpattanakit Srivikorn is president of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand and sits on the WT Council. Wongpattanakit is arguably the most dominant player in her category, the W-49kg: She is an Olympic champion, Youth Olympic champion, double world champion, and nine-times Grand-Prix gold medalist. Young-seok Choi is her coach. “I offer my sincere congratulations to the Taekwondo Association of Thailand for winning these decades’ worth of honors,” said WT President Chungwon Choue. “This shows the achievements of Taekwondo Association of Thailand under the leadership of Pimol Srivikorn.”

World Taekwondo announced it will donate USD 30,000 to support recovery efforts in Turkiye and its Taekwondo community after the recent devastating earthquake. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue visited the Turkish Embassy in Seoul to meet with Turkish Ambassador Murat Tamer and make the donation. Choue was joined by World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo and World Taekwondo Senior Advisor and ex-Ambassador Young-sun Kim. While at the embassy, the president also held a video conference with President of the Turkish Taekwondo Federation and World Taekwondo Council Member Metin Sahin, and with World Taekwondo Auditor Ali Sagirkaya. Sahin and members of the Turkish Federation are onsite at earthquake-affected areas to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “World Taekwondo stands in solidarity with the people of Turkiye and Syria. As emergency relief efforts focus on providing aid to the victims affected by the terrible earthquakes, the support of the international community is needed more than ever. We will continue to provide all the assistance we can and our thoughts and condolences are with those who have been so tragically impacted by this disaster.” Sahin told Choue and Tamer that they had lost some members of the Turkish Taekwondo community due to the disaster. He and Sagirkaya expressed their appreciation to World Taekwondo for the emotional support that they have received as well as for the donation. Tamer, thanking Choue for the donation, said: “The support that we have received here in Korea has been genuine and overwhelming. We wish to thank World Taekwondo for your support. At the moment, there is a need for psychological and emotional support as well, and I believe that Taekwondo has the power to help in such difficult times.”

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Choue Receives Honorary PhD from French University

WT Puts the Boot into Abuse and Harrasment via IOC Safeguarding Course

DUNKIRK, France (Sept. 4, 2023) WATCH VIDEOS

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue was today, on Taekwondo Day, presented with an honorary doctorate by the Universite du Littoral Cote d’Opale (ULCO) in recognition of his contribution to humanitarian endeavours and fostering transparent and equitable competition. The prestigious distinction was bestowed upon Choue during a special ceremony in the historic city of Dunkirk, France. The honorary doctorate is regarded by the ULCO as the pinnacle of recognition for individuals who have chartered new territories and effected meaningful change. The ULCO cited Choue’s work in facilitating the participation of refugee athletes in international Taekwondo competitions, his dedication to universality and his advocacy for gender equality. Ahead of his keynote address, a number of speakers spoke of Choue’s achievements. Triple Olympic Champion and President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee Tony Estanguet also congratulated Choue via a video message. Speaking at the ceremony, Choue said: “I am overwhelmed with emotions as I stand here to receive this distinguished doctorate. I wish to thank the president, Professor Hassane Sadok and the university for this amazing opportunity. “For me to receive this honorary doctorate on Taekwondo Day adds to the emotions that I am feeling now. Taekwondo practitioners, or Taekwondoin, always say that Taekwondo is not just a sport or a martial art; it is a way of life. “Throughout my presidency in World Taekwondo, I have constantly asked myself how Taekwondo could be used to not only entertain fans and fulfil athletes’ dreams of winning medals, but also how it could be used to change the lives of those who practice it. That is the basis and enduring legacy of my presidency: ‘Peace is more precious than triumph.” Under Choue’s presidency, World Taekwondo has established itself as the leading International Federation in the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in terms of humanitarian and social development activities. Peace initiatives include the Taekwondo Peace Corps, the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, and the Taekwondo Cares programme. The ULCO spans four urban areas in France – Boulogne-SurMer, Calais, Dunkirk, and Saint-Omer – and recognises the profound influence of sports with its bachelor’s programme in the Science and Technique of Physical and Sports Activities (STAPS).

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Taekwondo Day Awards Go to Azerbaijan Taekwondo Head, WT Wuxi Center Founder SEOUL, Korea (Sept. 13, 2023)

World Taekwondo has strengthened its commitment to the prevention of harassment and abuse with 13 individuals accepted onto the September 2023 cohort of the IOC’s Safeguarding Officer in Sport Certificate programme. The course is conducted online and involves a variety of teaching methods with digital lectures, online tutorials, web-based materials and online forums. A total of 108 students will take part in the eightmonth course, and Taekwondo’s 13 representatives make up the greatest number from any Olympic sport. Taekwondo’s cohort includes staff from World Taekwondo, selected competition supervisory officials, and representatives from all five of World Taekwondo’s Continental Unions. This group was selected to reflect World Taekwondo’s commitment to ensuring all of its stakeholders implement safeguarding practices. The group will work in an integrated fashion with World Taekwondo’s Seoulbased Integrity Unit. On successful completion of the IOC programme, the representatives will be equipped with knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to fulfil roles as Safeguarding Officers and act as focal points for safeguarding within the sport. They will assist in developing strategies for implementing, monitoring and evaluating safeguarding policies, and contribute to the development and implementation of athlete-centred response systems for managing cases of harassment and abuse. World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choe said: “World Taekwondo is committed to safeguarding athletes of all ages from harassment and abuse. We recognise that we must always strive to do more and integral to that is equipping our members with the latest knowledge and training. The IOC certificate programme will provide our stakeholders with critical skills that they can apply within Taekwondo and which they can use to help advise and strengthen principles and policies for safeguarding within our organisation.”

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue presented the Taekwondo Day Award to Azerbaijan Taekwondo Federation President Kamaladdin Heydarov and to Dejun Sun, Honorary Chair of the World Taekwondo Wuxi Centre via video conference on Sept. 13. The award is gifted by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in recognition of achievements and contributions to Taekwondo in commemoration of Taekwondo Day. Heydarov has been president of the Azerbaijan Taekwondo Association since 1999 and served as Vice President of World Taekwondo from 2005 to 2020. During his time as president he has overseen significant growth of the sport in Azerbaijan and hosted a number of highly successful World Taekwondo events including most recently the Baku 2023

World Taekwondo Championships. Baku hosted the first-ever World Para Taekwondo Championships in 2009 and the first-ever World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in 2014. The Azeri capital has also played host to the 2016 Grand-Prix Final and Gala Awards, the World Cup Team Championships in 2009 and 2016, and the Olympic Qualification Tournament for London 2012 in 2011. Sun founded the World Taekwondo Wuxi Centre and also pioneered the elite World Taekwondo Grand Slam Series. The Grand Slam was launched in 2017 as a media-friendly, spectator-centric event with enhanced prize money and opportunities to create new stars in the sport.

MoU Signed to Vitalize WT Central Training Center, Taekwondowon in Muju MUJU, Korea (Jul. 15, 2023)

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was today signed by World Taekwondo, the Korea Taekwondo Association, the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, Jeollabukdo Province and the County of Muju to strengthen operations for the World Taekwondo Central Training Centre. The center, known better as Taekwondowon, is a premier training and competition venue set among Muju’s scenic hills. The signing ceremony was held

in Taekwondowon on the occasion of the Muju Taekwondowon 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Challenge. Under the MoU, each of the five parties commits to undertaking specific tasks in order to vitalize operations. The Central Training Centre will act as a control tower overseeing activities in the other 12 Regional Training Centres which are currently operating in 10 different countries:

China (Beijing, Shenzhen, Wuxi) Uzbekistan (Tashkent) Germany (Friedrichshafen) Great Britain (Manchester) Nepal (Lalitpur) Croatia (Rijeka) Italy (Rome) Iran (Tehran) Azerbaijan (Baku) Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)

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WT and Italian Demo Squads Team up to Light up Live Concert ROME, Italy (Jun. 10, 2023)

WATCH VIDEOS

The World Taekwondo and Italian Demonstration Teams today delivered a jaw-dropping performance at the Foro Italico’s iconic Central Tennis Stadium during RTL 102.5’s Future Hits Live event in front of thousands of fans. During the concert organised by RTL 102.5, a popular Italian radio station, the teams captivated the audience with awe-inspiring acrobatics, captivating choreography and flawless execution. The teams of Taekwondoin joined a stellar line-up of Italian artists that are immensely popular among the younger generation in the country. The gravity-defying show at the Central Tennis Stadium, follows a recent performance at the Piazza di Spagna where they left thousands of spectators mesmerised. The performance coincides with the Roma World Taekwondo Grand-Prix, which got underway the day prior.

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High-Flying Demo Team Awe AIPS Sports Media Awards

Jaws Drop at Rome’s Piazza di Spagna as WT, Italian Demo Teams Get their Taekwondo on ROME, Italy (Jun. 8, 2023)

Awe-inspiring acrobatics, gravity-defying moves and breath-taking skills captivated audiences today at the bustling Piazza di Spagna. The action was provided by the World Taekwondo and Italian Demonstration Teams just ahead of the Roma 2023 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix. This event marked the third time the world-famous World Taekwondo Demonstration Team has graced the historic site, following their inspiring performances in 2019 and 2022 that kicked off previous editions of the World Taekwondo Grand-Prix in Italy’s capital. Among those watching were World Taekwondo Council Member and Italian Taekwondo Federation President Angelo Cito, and Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) and Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) President Raffaele Chiulli. .

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WATCH VIDEOS

SEOUL, Korea (May 9, 2023)

The renowned World Taekwondo Demonstration Team continued to amaze spectators from around the world as they put on an unforgettable show at the AIPS Sports Media Awards Ceremony. Twenty Demonstration Team members performed in perfect unison under the theme”Taekwondo Spirit.” The audience were left in awe by the team’s breath-taking acrobatics and gravity-defying stunts. The team has got to the finals of both America’s Got Talen and Italy’s Got Talent, and has performed at iconic locations such as Vatican City and the United Nations Headquarters. The AIPS Sport Media Awards Ceremony is the latest high-profile event the team has performed at. The event of-

fers recognition to the very best sport storytellers across all media platforms. The ceremony took place at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences. It held on the occasion of the AIPS Congress which is being held in Korea for the third time in 12 years (2011 and 2017). AIPS was established in Paris, in 1924, as L’Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive. AIPS is committed to enhance the cooperation between its member associations in defending sport and the professional independence of journalism. Today, AIPS represents more than 9,500 members worldwide.

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WT Continental Union Presidents’ Messages AFRICAN TAEKWONDO UNION Issaka Ide

On behalf of the African Taekwondo Union, and as we approach the end of this significant year, I take a moment to reflect on our collective journey and express my sincere gratitude to you. 2023 has been an exciting chapter in our ongoing commitment to the promotion of Taekwondo in Africa. Together, we have tirelessly worked to advance our beloved sport across the continent. Competitions, development initiatives, and collaborative moments have served as opportunities to strengthen our unity. I applaud the passion and dedication of each member of our union. It is through your continuous commitment that we have overcome challenges and celebrated successes. Your invaluable contribution has been key to our growth and has made a positive impact on the world of Taekwondo. In this regard, I express special tribute to the President of World Taekwondo Chungwon Choue, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in catalyzing the development of Taekwondo in Africa and worldwide. Recent proof of that development is the placement of a Taekwondo statue at the IOC Headquarters. In Africa, we have faced challenging periods this year. Despite these challenges, I express confidence in our collective ability to overcome obstacles and build an even more promising future for Taekwondo in Africa. As we stand on the threshold of the new year, I am filled with a sense of optimism and excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead. As a united community, we are ready to tackle new challenges and continue building our legacy in the world of Taekwondo.

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ASIAN TAEKWONDO UNION

EUROPEAN TAEKWONDO UNION

OCEANIA TAEKWONDO UNION

PAN AMERICAN TAEKWONDO UNION

Kyu Seok Lee

Sakis Pragalos

John Kotsifas

Juan Manuel Lopez Delgado

As we welcome the new year of 2024, I extend my heartfelt wishes for the health and happiness of each member of our Taekwondo family. May this year be vibrant and filled with the spirit of Taekwondo! Human history spans primitive times to the agricultural era and several industrial revolutions. Today, we find ourselves in an age in which quantum mechanics and artificial intelligence are becoming integral parts of our daily lives. We are entering an era where artificial intelligence takes on many challenging tasks that were once solely the domain of humans. However, despite the assistance we receive from artificial intelligence, there are still things that we, as individuals, must accomplish ourselves. The harmonious development of mind and body, achieved through the practice of Taekwondo, remains one of those essential endeavors. Therefore, let us strive to achieve many things through Taekwondo training in the coming year. Taekwondo family! As we usher in the new year, let us progress through Taekwondo, strengthen our bonds, and contribute significantly to society. Wishing you all a hopeful and happy new year. Thank you.

Dear Taekwondo family in Europe and around the world, I wish you health and success for the new year, but most of all I wish you peace. At this moment our thoughts are with the people who are suffering from the wars taking place so close to us. Faced with these tragedies, it is difficult to focus on anything else, such as what is happening in our sport. But even if we cannot intervene in the great history of the world, we can still uphold the spirit of friendship and understanding between nations that we stand for as the ETU. And we owe it to our athletes to do our job - even in difficult times. This year is an Olympic year. For many athletes it is a unique opportunity that can determine their futures. It is our duty to support them, just as it is our duty to pave the way for upand-coming young athletes who may one day make it to an Olympics or to a European or World Championship. Taekwondo, like any sport, is a force for good that unites people. Let’s stand together and use this positive force to make the world a better place. Wherever you are, I wish you a safe journey in the new year.

I would like to express my best wishes to the entire Oceania Taekwondo Community and all our member nations and wish you all a happy 2024. 2023 was filled with important programs and events for the Oceania region as we moved closer to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. At the same time, the OTU announced its “Step Up Brisbane 2032” strategic plan which takes its lead from the similar Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) initiative which calls of all Oceania National Olympic Committees to focus on podium results for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. The 2032 Games have been described as the “Oceania Olympic Games” and as such it is important for our region to exploit the homegame advantage as far as possible. The OTU’s announcement of its strategic plan was accompanied with the announcement that we have also earmarked an Oceania high-performance training centr. It will be based in Brisbane to service our Oceania athletes over the next eight years. In July 2023, the Oceania region held a number of important G-ranked events. These included the Oceania Presidents Cup a G2 event, the Australian Open which was another G2 event, as well as ranked para and

poomsae events. Over 1500 athletes attended a series of events in Brisbane over three days. In November 2023 the Pacific Multi-Sport Games, which are a G4 event held every four years, took place in the Solomon Islands. The event’s Taekwondo competition was held over four days and proved a huge success with a record number of athletes and MNAs participating. The Pacific Games were immediately followed by the Oceania Championships which is also a G4 event, held every two years. Again, this event was very successful with new Oceania champions emerging. In 2023 we also saw our MNAs evaluated as part of our ongoing governance initiatives. I extend my congratulations to those MNAs that scored highly. The challenge for us in 2024 is to ensure that all Oceania MNAs improve their governance procedures in order to deliver greater and more sustained benefits to their members. In our fragile world filled with global conflicts and challenging climate issues, Taekwondo has again led the way, showing that through sport, peace and friendship is possible. I again wish everyone a safe and prosperous new year filled with happiness and good health.

At this very special and significant time, I want, on behalf of PATU, to express our sincere appreciation to all of you, valued members of the Taekwondo community, for your dedication, passion and invaluable contributions throughout the year. Taekwondo is not just a sport, but a way of life that teaches us discipline, respect, and perseverance. In every kick, in every block, and in every moment of training, we have strengthened not only our bodies, but also our hearts and minds. This year, we have shared experiences, grown together, and strengthened the bonds that bind us as one big global family of Taekwondo athletes. Despite the challenges we all face throughout the year, we have once again demonstrated the true essence of Taekwondo: The ability to overcome obstacles, adapt, and move forward with determination. Each of you has played a crucial role in promoting the core values of our beloved martial art and Olympic sport. Looking into the future, it fills us with excitement to think about the opportunities and challenges ahead. With the unity and strength that characterize our community, there are no limits to what we can accomplish together. Let’s continue to inspire and support each other, and work towards a stronger and more meaningful Taekwondo. We in the American continent want to wish you all a happy new year. May the coming year be full of successes, joys, and meaningful moments. May every challenge be a step towards a bright and accomplished future. Together, we are building a legacy that will endure through generations.

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PART 3

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

1st THF Hope and Dreams Sports Festival Brings Baseball5, Taekwondo, into Refugee Camp AMMAN, Jordan (Feb. 27, 2023)

The first ever Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Hope and Dreams Sports Festival was held in Jordan on Feb. 25-27 giving refugees and displaced persons the opportunity to compete in Taekwondo and Baseball5. The festival was organized by the THF and World Taekwondo in collaboration with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). The THF has hosted Hope and Dreams events in the Azraq refugee camp since 2021, but this year marked its expansion into a multi-sport festival. Events took place in both the Azraq Refugee Camp and Jordan’s capital Amman, with around 300 young refugee athletes competing, including a refugee team from Afghanistan.

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On Feb. 25 in Azraq, there were Taekwondo and Baseball5 demonstrations as well as an exchange with refugee participants. On Feb. 27 in the Jordanian capital, there was a Hope and Dreams Refugee Taekwondo Championships for Cadet and Junior categories. That was followed in the afternoon by a Taekwondo Championships for Senior categories and a Baseball5 Championships. Representatives from the Association of Summer Olympic International Federation (ASOIF), UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International University Sports Federation, were also in attendance. The THF, World Taekwondo and the WBSC are all proud members of a joint UNHCR and International Olympic Committee (IOC) “Sports Coalition” and share a commitment to improving access for all refugees to safe and inclusive sporting facilities. The THF, World Taekwondo and the WBSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2020 to promote humanitarian, social inclusion, and peace and development-supporting activities. THF Chairman and WT President Chungwon Choue said: “We are delighted to have hosted this Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in partnership with the WBSC. We have always been clear that our commitment to empowering refugees goes beyond Taekwondo and that we want to partner with other sports to expand the opportunities we are providing to those who need it most. WBSC President, Riccardo Fraccarri, said: “I am proud and enthusiastic to have been able to attend the inaugural Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in Jordan and witness first-hand how Baseball5 can be an excellent tool to promote inclusivity and team building, especially in underprivileged communities, as well as seeing how important sport in general is in combating social inequality and promoting peace, well-being and social inclusion.

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Photos by the Korea Times / Shim Hyun-chul

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Refugee Athletes Strike Gold at Beirut Open and 5th Asian Cadet and Junior Kyorugi and Poomsae Championships

“We remain fully committed to continuing our partnership with the THF and World Taekwondo to provide opportunities for displaced people through sport.” ASOIF President, Ricci Bitti said: “What a valuable initiative of two International Federations, teaming up to bring the physical and mental benefits of their sports to refugees and displaced people. It was impressive to see first-hand how much positive energy this Hope and Dreams Sports Festival was able to generate among the young people – young athletes who had to go through so much in their lives already and need to gain hope and confidence for their future.” Dominik Bartsch, UNHCR Representative to Jordan said: “Sports in refugee camps and beyond are impressive ways of bringing people together whose lives have been disrupted. The THF developed programs that build respect for others, self-control and redeem a pleasure in life that certainly belongs to youth of all ages.”

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Photos by the Korea Times / Shim Hyun-chul

Refugee athletes came away from the Beirut Open and 5th Asian Cadet and Junior Kyorugi and Poomsae Championships in Beirut with a haul of medals including three golds. All members of the refugee team come from Iran and range from 12 to 19 years old. In the Beirut Open Seniors, Mahdi Khavari, fresh from his silver at the Octagon Diamond Game in August, won the gold medal in the M-58kg, defeating Turkiye’s Gorkem Polat 2:1. 14-year-old Fatemeh Jami, who is supported by World Taekwondo through the World Taekwondo Refugee Solidarity Programme 2023, won gold in the Beirut Open Cadets as she defeated Jordan’s Naya Alkayali two rounds to nil in the W-172cm. The sweep of gold medals by the refugee team at the Beirut Open was completed by Mohammad Hesam Hamedi who won gold in the junior event, beating Iraq’s Omar Wshyar Taha in the M+78kg. Hamedi added a bronze medal to his collection from Beirut as he overcame Uzbekistan’s Amirkhon Khakimov in the 5th Asian Junior Taekwondo Kyorugi Championships. Melika Barbari competed across three competitions in the Lebanese capital. In the Beirut Open Cadets she won silver in the W-144cm losing out to Lebanon’s Maria Dib, 2:1 in the final. She beat India’s K.L. Mahisha Priyanka in the bronze medal match of the W-144cm in the 5th Asian Cadet Taekwondo Kyorugi Championships. Finally, in the 5th Asian Cadet Taekwondo Poomsae Championships she came fifth in the Recognised Individual event, and won the Good Fighting Spirit prize.

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Azraq Black Belt Holders Pass 100 AMMAN, Jordan (Nov. 5, 2023)

The Humanitarian Taekwondo Center in Jordan’s Azraq Refugee Camp passed a major landmark after a grading examination on Nov. 4. Seven kyu grades were promoted to dan grades on that day, taking the Taekwondo Center’s number of black belts past the 100 mark. The Humanitarian Taekwondo Center was established in Azraq in 2016, and has been constantly expanded and updated. It is funded by WT’s non-profit arm, the Lausanne-based Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF). Of 14 Taekwondo players who hold IOC Scholarships for Refugee Athletes for Paris 2024, two are from Azraq camp. The THF has been widely admired and held up as a benchmark for other sports.

WT Observes International Day of Peace

In October, WT and the THF were awarded the “Combat Sport Initiative of the Year” at the Peace and Sport Awards 2023 in recognition of their impactful work in supporting underprivileged communities globally. Also in October, during an IOC session in Mumbai, India, a video of Humanitarian Taekwondo Center training and activities was played during the presentation of the Olympic Refuge Foundation report. IOC President Thomas Bach said, “You saw with Taekwondo they’re playing a leading role in all these efforts from the very beginning. “

The World Taekwondo family marked the International Day of Peace and promoted the important role that sport can play in contributing to more peaceful communities. The International Day of Peace is celebrated every year on Sept. 21. It was proposed by Costa Rica to the United Nations in 1981, after it was suggested by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue’s late father, Youngseek Choue. The theme this year is “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals.” It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and

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collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Promoting peace and peaceful competition is at the very heart of World Taekwondo. Through its numerous humanitarian initiatives, including the launch of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, World Taekwondo has demonstrated how Taekwondo can bring people together and encourage greater tolerance and respect among and within communities.

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THF Activities Praised in Paris at Olympic Refuge Foundation Board Meeting Paris, France (Jun. 9, 2023)

World Taekwondo President and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Chair Chungwon Choue today visited the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The occassion was a board meeting of the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF). The ORF Board heard the operations and financial report of the 2022 activities. Choue presented the THF’s active involvement in the Terrains d’Avenir program initiated by the ORF in the heart of Paris, which uses sport to help refugees and displaced persons assimilate into society. Taekwondo has the added benefit of teaching self-defense and values of respect and tolerance. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, who serves as chair of the ORF, and UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi praised Choue for his visionary work and solidarity for refugees and displaced persons around the world. Choue said; “As we heard in today’s board meeting, the number of refugees and displaced persons is on course to increase for the eighth consecutive year and it is expected to bring the total number to more than 120 million people. We as leaders in our respective fields must do our best to reverse this course.” “With peace in mind and Taekwondo at heart, World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation

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will do our utmost to give hopes and dreams to the refugees and displaced persons around the world but we need to have partners to be successful,” emphasized Dr. Choue. The ORF Board visited the Terrains d’Avenir venue to show their support for refugees and displaced persons in the program. Paralympian Zakia Khudadadi, whose sensational story of escaping Taliban rule during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games captured the world’s attention, met with the ORF Board and Paris Mayor Anne Hildago. The IOC also announced that Marzieh Hamidi, an Afghanistan refugee currently in the program, would be Taekwondo’s newest recipient of the IOC Olympic Scholarship for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This brings the number of Taekwondo recipients to 14, making it the second largest sport to be recognised by the IOC and the ORF after Athletics. The ORF Board also watched a new documentary about the inspirational journey of selected refugee athletes, ‘We Dare to Dream,” which premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York on 11 June. Significantly, two Taekwondo athletes were focal points of the documentary – Kimia Alizadeh Zonoozi, and from the Azraq Refugee Camp, Wael Fawaz Al-Farraj.

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Bach Urges IOC to Support Refugees, Praises Taekwondo for ‘Leading Role’ (Oct. 17, 2023) Images from IOC Youtube

IOC President Thomas Bach today delivered an impassioned speech to the 141st IOC Session on the global refugee crisis and the positive role sport can play in refugee communities around the world, reserving special praise for the work Taekwondo has done in this area. Bach, speaking after the delivery of a report of the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF), of which World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue is a member, expressed his concern for the “unfortunate and ever-growing crisis in our world.” He emphasized that behind the statistics are individual human lives which should not be forgotten. Sport can help them to have a better life, to have a healthier lifestyle and to have hope, he said.

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“You saw with Taekwondo they’re playing a leading role in all these efforts from the very beginning. We can only invite the other International Federations to join hands and to help these people because they need sport and this is what our friends and colleagues at the UNHCR are always telling us. The High Commissioner asks refugees, ‘What do you need most after food, shelter and medical care?’ The first answer he always gets is sport. “We also have a responsibility there. We have a responsibility because we can see our values are inspiring people; are playing a role in the lives. We can not only talk about the values and inspire those who have a normal life. If we really want to show, and to walk the talk of the promotion of our values, then we have in particular to go there where it’s most needed - in these refugee camps and communities of displaced people. So please help wherever you can and support our colleagues in the Olympic Refuge Foundation.”

During the report of the ORF, a video was shown of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Taekwondo Center in the Azraq Refugee camp in Jordan. The video focused on Taekwondo Refugee athlete and Olympic Refugee Scholarship Holder Wael Fawaz Al-Farraj. The video showed Wael training at the center and him speaking about his dreams. “My biggest dream is to become an Olympic champion and get a gold medal,” he said. “I also dream that my family will live comfortably and for my circumstances to be better as I would like them to be. “Many refugees will be proud of me and that will motivate lots of young people and show that hope is constant and the dream must go on. The Paris Olympics are my dream and I will keep trying until I make it there.”

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WT and THF Awarded at Peace and Sport Awards 2023 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Oct. 18, 2023)

World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) were today given the “Combat Sport Initiative of the Year” award at the Peace and Sport Awards 2023 in recognition of their impactful work in supporting underprivileged communities around the world. The Peace and Sport Awards 2023 was held at the Cultural Palace of the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the occasion of the Peace and Sport Middle-East Forum, ahead of the World Combat Games. This year’s Hope and Dreams Sports Festival organised by World Taekwondo and the THF received special praise at the awards event as a best practice that deserves to be highlighted and recognised. The festival was held for the first time this year in Jordan on 25-27 Feb. It gave refugees and displaced persons the opportunity to compete in Taekwondo and Baseball5.

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The festival was organised by WT and the THF in collaboration with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and took place in the Azraq Refugee Camp and Jordan’s capital, Amman. Around 300 young refugee athletes of all age categories took part, including a refugee team from Afghanistan. The festival is the culmination of the WT and THF call to Olympic and non-Olympic sports in April 2018 to join hands in giving refugees and displaced persons opportunities to enjoy sport. Chungwon Choue, president of World Taekwondo and chair of the THF, said: “We are very proud to have received this award in recognition of the work World Taekwondo and the THF are doing to support refugees and displaced persons around the world. It is fantastic to see so many other wonderful initiatives being undertaken by other combat sports and we commend all those who were shortlisted for this award.

“I believe that we should not only keep within Taekwondo, but espouse what our sport and all sports can bring to those who need it most. We believe strongly in the role that sport can play in inspiring hope and promoting peace. It is for that reason we have always been very open to working with other International Federations so we can reach as many people as possible. We started with United World Wrestling in 2019, and the initiative was further demonstrated during the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival when we partnered with the WBSC this year. I wish to thank them for their partnership. We hope we can collaborate with more sports in the future, with the 2024 Hope and Dreams Sports Festival as the platform to further develop the help we provide to refugees.” Previously, World Taekwondo had been honored with “Federation of the Year” at the Peace and Sports Awards 2016.

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THF Donations Flow in from around the World ‘Empowering the powerless’ is only made possible by generous sponsors

In 2023, one of the sport’s most famed players added her name to this honorable list. Jingyu “Superkicker” Wu, winner of two Olympic golds, three World Championships titles and five Grand-Prix victories, demonstrated her contributions to Taekwondo exceed her successes on the mat as she and her husband, Justin Hou, kindly donated USD 15,000 to the THF. “This investment will help support Taekwondo programs for refugees, to promote their wellbeing and give them the skills to become great citizens of the world,” the pair said. Subsequently, on the sidelines of the Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships, Hou – a member of the IOC Culture and Heritage Commission - was appointed a THF Ambassador in recognition of his contribution to the THF, and his dedication to engaging with refugees and displaced persons.

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) continues to receive funding from a wide range of donors as the foundation’s critical work in empowering refugees through Taekwondo is recognized around the world. In the last few years, the THF has received donations across different industries and sectors - from royalty and business to academia and, of course, from within the Taekwondo family itself. Among the biggest contributors to the THF is the Crown Prince of Fujairah, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi who has generously contributed a total of USD 300,000 in three separate tranches, in 2017, 2020 and 2022. Explaining the reasons behind his donations to the THF, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi said,

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The THF is currently running seven programs worldwide in Eswatini, France, Jordan, Mexico, Rwanda, Turkiye and Switzerland. The THF’s programs contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and “empower the powerless” by providing Taekwondo training that promotes personal fitness, self-defense and self-belief to refugees. Taekwondo can be economically deployed, as it needs nothing other than the human body and no special equipment or facility. As such, it can be practiced by anyone, anywhere, at any time. Over 2,000 refugees are trained every week, and so far, eight refugees/displaced persons have been hired by the THF in coaching and project coordination roles. Moreover, refugee teams and individuals frequently compete at World Taekwondo tournaments worldwide.

“The growth of refugee numbers globally is one of the greatest crises facing humanity today. I make this donation because Taekwondo is an economical, easy-to-deploy tool that delivers self-discipline, self-defense and self-confidence to refugees, so effectively upgrading their lifestyles.” The year 2022 also saw donations from Pimol Srivikorn, World Taekwondo treasurer and president of the Thailand Taekwondo Association, who donated USD 20,000; President of the Hong Kong Taekwondo Association Louis Ching who made a personal donation of USD 30,000; and Min-soo Kang, a professor of Dong-eui University who donated USD 25,000. In July, Lotte Global Logistics donated USD 15,000 and the Pan American Taekwondo Union donated USD 20,000.

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THF, French Taekwondo, Team up to Support Refugee Athletes

WT and THF Re-Commit on International Women’s Day

THF Board of Trustees Reviews 2023 Achievements at World Baseball Softball Confederation Headquarters Lausanne, Switzerland (Nov. 14, 2023)

SEOUL, Korea (Feb. 17, 2023)

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) signed an agreement to assist refugees with the French Taekwondo Federation (FFTDA), chaired by Hassane Sadok on Feb. 17 at the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Seoul. Under the terms of the agreement, the two parties will exchange ideas and know-how as well as support each other in raising funds for their respective initiatives and projects for refugees. The FFTDA is also supporting an eight-person women’s team and a coach from Afghanistan. “We share many values with the FFTDA and have enjoyed close collaboration on projects in the past,” said World Taekwondo President and THF Chairman Chungwon Choue. “Through this cooperation agreement, we will be able to strengthen our partnership and ensure that we are maximizing the reach of our humanitarian activities.” “I am very happy to have achieved this goal with President Choue,” said Sadok. “The FFTDA have been active in supporting refugee athletes during the past years, and I believe that our humanitarian activities could be promoted and better organized within the framework of this cooperation agreement, under the patronage of the THF.” Previously, on Mar. 15, 2022, the THF and FFTDA announced their joint “Sport for Protection” program, which supports young refugees in France through Taekwondo. The program operates under the wider Terrains d’Avenir (“Land of the Future”) initiative, which is co-financed by the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) and the French Sports Ministry, and is supported by the city of Paris, the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF), the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and the UNHCR. More than 12,000 people will benefit directly or indirectly from the program which runs through to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It is open to any displaced young person in the region with a particular focus on people between the ages of 10 and 24.

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World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) today reinforced their commitment to ensuring equal opportunities using Taekwondo as a tool for WATCH VIDEOS women’s empowerment. Both organisations are targeting full gender equality and empowering women and girls, as per United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5. To mark International Women’s Day, the THF released a video of IOC Refugee Scholarship holder Marzieh Hamidi of Afghanistan who currently lives in Paris and is training to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Hamidi speaks of the challenges and harmful stereotypes women face across different societies but encourages women to fight for what they want to achieve. Taekwondo has achieved gender equality for competitors at the Olympic Games and all major events. It was also the first sport to have 50:50 male and female referees at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. World Taekwondo is also working to increase women’s representation on its executive Council and has hosted two Gender Equity and Women Leadership Forums to identify a clearer pathway for women in the sport. The THF is taking steps towards equal participation of girls and boys among its projects across seven countries. Currently, 37% of participants in THF projects are girls. At the THF project in the Azraq camp in Jordan, the number of girls has increased by over 30% since 2020. Girls taking part in the programme have reported feeling stronger and more confident. There are also now 40 black belts held by girls in the camp. Next year, the THF is planning to hire a female coach in Azraq Camp in order to encourage even more girls to attend the programme.

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Board of Trustees met at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) headquarters in Pully, Switzerland, on Nov. 14th. During the meeting the Board discussed special achievements, financial statements 2023, program reports from in and outside refugee camps, as well as potential developments and partnerships for 2024. The meeting saw the participation of all eight trustees as well as the participation of six observers: Jeongkang Seo (WT Secretary General), Metin Sahin (WT Council Member), Ali Sagirkaya (WT Auditor), Prof. Luc Reychler (former member of the THF), Justin Hou, THF Ambassador and IOC Culture & Heritage Commission Member and Ambassador Young-sun Kim (WT Senior Advisor). THF Chairman Chungwon Choue, expressed his deepest appreciation to the WBSC president and good friend of the THF, Ricardo Fraccari, for his kind hospitality and friendship. Chairman Choue praised the activities and achievements, the THF in 2023 including being awarded the “Combat Sport Initiative of the year” at the Peace and Sport Awards 2023, held in Riyadh, on October 18th. As IOC President Thomas Bach mentioned during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India, the sport of Taekwondo is playing a leading role in helping refugees via sport. Choue also thanked Justin Hou, a member of the IOC Culture and Heritage Commission and the husband of two-time Chinese Olympic champion Jingyu Wu. They were both involved in the THF’s first project activation with the United World Wrestling in 2019. Hou and Wu have generously donated to the foundation. Choue warmly thanked Hou.

THF programs were reviewed and achievements discussed including in the Azraq Refugee Camp (Jordan) which has produced over 100 black belts since the beginning of the program in 2016. THF refugee athletes from Malindza, Eswatini, won three medals in poomsae (two gold and one silver) and 10 medals in kyorugi (four golds, three silvers and three bronzes), at the 2023 Next Generation Championships. The event attracted more than 500 athletes from over 13 countries including Greece, the UK and the USA. In Kiziba in Rwanda, 98 THF refugee athletes passed their belt tests. Beyond refugee camps, Choue stated that Taekwondo is the second largest sport in terms of number of Olympic Scholarship holders, declaring: “Our aim is to raise their standards. Ultimately, our goal is to produce the first Olympic medal to be won by a Taekwondo refugee athlete from the Olympic Scholarship programs.” In relation to the Terrains d’Avenir program in Paris, a video featuring THF coach and French Taekwondo National Team Member Azizjan Tadjibaev, originally from Kyrgyzstan, was shown to the participants. In the video, Azizjan speaks of his integration as a refugee into French society and how Taekwondo acted as a driver in his life, up to receiving French nationality. As a signatory of the UNHCR and IOC Sports Coalition, World Taekwondo and THF are committed to promote and facilitate equal access to and participation in sporting events and competitions at all levels for refugees. In some countries around the world, refugee athletes continue to be blocked from participation in sport.

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Opening Ceremony Held in Bishkek for WT-ADF Kyrgyzstan Cares Program

‘Care for those who Dare:’ Opening Ceremony of WT-ADF Cares Program, Pakistan PUNJAB, Pakistan (Jun. 5, 2023)

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (Mar. 29, 2023)

An opening ceremony took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the WT-Asia Development Foundation (ADF) Kyrgyzstan Cares Program on March 28, 2023. The opening ceremony drew some 20 Cares students from the Bishkek Center who performed a Taekwondo demonstration, drawing big applause from the participants. A 40-member Taekwondo demonstration team of the Kyrgyz Taekwondo Association also showed off their Taekwondo skills. The ceremony also featured a traditional Kyrgyz drum performance and a fan dance. A video on the WT Cares Program was shown for the participants. The ceremony was held at the Sport Complex of Sun City in downtown Bishkek with the attendance of WT President Chungwon Choue, Sadyr Mamytov, president of the National Olympic Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Aleksei Pak, president of the Taekwondo Association of the Kyrgyz Republic. In his opening speech, WT President Choue said, “I am pleased to visit Kyrgyzstan for the opening ceremony of the WT-ADF Kyrgyzstan Cares Program and my visit is more meaningful

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as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of WT and at the same time the 30th anniversary of the Kyrgyz Taekwondo Association.” “The WT Cares Program is one of the flagship contributions of WT to the world, through which we give hope and dreams to those in need of help, especially underprivileged children,” Choue said. He concluded his speech by saying: “You are the future of Taekwondo, you are the dream and hope of Taekwondo.” On the afternoon of March 29, WT President Choue and other WT and Kyrgyz Taekwondo Association leaders visited the Rukh Ordo Cultural Center in Cholpon Ata, in the Issyk-kul Lake region, to meet some 35 orphan children from the WT Cares Program center in Teplokluchenka. A total of 32 Cares students showed off their Taekwondo skills to draw big applause from the participants. Earlier, Choue was given the title of an honorary professor of the Kyrgyz State Physical and Sport Academy by the academy’s rector, Azizbayev Saitdin Seyitbekovich, on the morning of March 27 at the office of the Kyrgyz NOC president.

Kyrgyzstan started its Season-2 WTADF Cares Program on Oct. 1, 2023 for a seven-month period with a total budget of $15,000. The project, which will run until April 30, 2024, is for orphans. The latest programs build on deep roots. Previously, under the theme “Dream through Taekwondo,” WT had teamed up with the Taekwondo Association of the Kyrgyz Republic to kick off the WTADF Cares Program on July 1, 2022, for a one-year project. The USD 30,000 WT-ADF Kyrgyzstan Cares Program 2022-2023 was funded by the ADF. The Kyrgyz Taekwondo Association ran the program by dispatching local Taekwondo instructors to two centers: one in downtown Bishkek, for orphans of SOS Children’s Villages; and the other in Teplokluchenka near Issyk-Kul Lake for mostly orphans at the Ak-Suu Boarding School. The Kyrgyzstan Cares Program offered about 150 orphan children two hours of Taekwondo education and training three times a week, thus helping them to foster family warmth, health, and dreams through Taekwondo.

An opening ceremony was held in Pakistan for the 20232024 WT-ADF Cares Program on June 5, 2023, with extensive media coverage. The ceremony, which took place at Iram Model School & College in Kahuta, Rawalpindi district of Punjab Province, drew about 900 people, including about 300 Cares students and their parents as well as local community members and ranking officials. Among the attendees were Lt. Col. Raja Wasim Ahmed, president of the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation; and Iram Sikander, principal of Iram Model School & College. The Asia Development Foundation (ADF) is financially supporting the one-year project. The opening ceremony attracted extensive media coverage in Pakistan, with several prominent channels such as PTV World, Express News, Geo News, Nawa-i-Waqt and local media documenting the event. The program is already well underway. Under the theme, “Care for Those Who Dare,” the 2023 WT Cares Program for Pakistan started on May 1, 2023 for a one-year period. It will benefit about 1,000 people, mostly orphans and school students, in the province of Punjab and the vicinity of the Territory Islamabad. “I am honored to be here today to inaugurate the World Taekwondo Cares Program in Kahuta. This program is a joint initiative of the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation, World Taekwondo, Iram Model

School & College Kahuta, and Asia Development Foundation,” Ahmed said during the opening ceremony. “It is a testament to the commitment of these organizations to providing opportunities for young people in Pakistan to learn and grow through the sport of Taekwondo particularly for remote areas,” he continued. “Taekwondo is a great way for young people to stay active, learn discipline, and develop self-confidence. It is also a great way to build relationships and make friends. The World Taekwondo Cares Program will provide young people in Kahuta/ Kallar Syedan, Rawalpindi and Haripur with access to training, equipment, and competition opportunities. It will also provide them with educational and leadership training.” Sikander said in her speech: “We feel honored to have this opening ceremony here in Kahuta. I, as principal of Iram Model School & College, am grateful and obliged to have a successful management of the World Taekwondo Cares Program and thankful for the ADF for giving this opportunity to my young students.” She continued, “The Cares Program will serve the community as the Olympic sport of Taekwondo teaches us the most important segments in life such as respect, discipline, sportsmanship, self-confidence, peace, and self-satisfaction.” She finished, “My best prayers are with the team for the World Taekwondo Cares Program for doing wonderful jobs in uplifting the lives of young kids.”

World Taekwondo Mourns Passing of Former Vice President Phillip Walter Coles SEOUL, Korea (Feb. 17, 2023)

World Taekwondo is deeply saddened by the passing of former Vice President Phillip Walter Coles who passed away on Jan. 28. To honor his memory, the federation set up a memorial altar at its headquarters in Seoul. Australian Coles was a deeply respected and loved member of the World Taekwondo family. He served as World Taekwondo Vice President from 2008 before becoming Honorary Vice President from 2013 to 2017.

His love of the game was reflected in the numerous positions he held in international sport, including as an IOC Member from 1982 to 2012 and as an Honorary IOC Member from 2012. Coles’ contribution to the development of Taekwondo and international sport will live on and he will not be forgotten. World Taekwondo’s thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

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Event Calendar

TAEKWONDO Official Publication of World Taekwondo

111 Date

Place

Event

Feb. 9

Dakar, Senegal

African Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Feb. 10-11 Mar. 8

African Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Olympic Games Sofia, Bulgaria

Mar. 9-10 Mar. 15-16

Apr. 9-10

Tai’an City, China

Asian Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Olympic Games Asian Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Honiara, Solomon Islands

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Apr. 11

Oceania Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Olympic Games Oceania Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Pan American Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Olympic Games Pan American Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

May 1-3

Amman, Jordan

2024 Hope and Dreams Sports Festival

May 12-14

Muju, Korea

WT Coach-Referee Joint Training Camp for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Jul. 5-6

Daegu, Korea

Daegu 2024 World Taekwondo University Festival (Kyorugi)

Jul. 6-7 TBD

ISSN 1599-3779

European Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Mar. 17 Apr. 6

European Qualification Tournament for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

2024

Daegu 2024 World Taekwondo University Festival (Poomsae) Chuncheon, Korea

Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Demonstration Team Championships

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.

This publication and its contents may not be reproduced, even in part, in any form, without the written permission of the World Taekwondo.

Chuncheon 2024 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge Jul. 26 - Aug. 11 (TKD : Aug. 7-10)

Paris, France

Aug. 28-Sept. 11 (Para TKD: Aug. 29-31)

Paris 2024 Olympic Games WT Headquarters

WT Lausanne Office

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Booyoung Taepyung Building 10th Floor, 55, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea, 04513

Avenue de Rhodanie 54, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland

Tel: (82-2) 566-2505 / 557-5446 Fax: (82-2) 553-4728 E-mail: pr@worldtaekwondo.org Homepage: www.worldtaekwondo.org

Sept. 6-8

Muju, Korea

Muju Taekwondowon 2024 World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond Game

Oct. 1-6

Chuncheon, Korea

Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships

Nov. 16-17

Singapore

Singapore 2024 World Taekwondo Virtual Championships

Nov. 23-27

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships

Dec.

TBD

2024 World Para Taekwondo Grand-Prix Final 2024 World Taekwondo Grand-Prix Final 2024 World Taekwondo Gala Awards

Tel: (41-21) 601-5013 Fax: (41-21) 601-5983 E-mail: office@worldtaekwondo.org

@worldtaekwondo