2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships awarded to UAE;
Namibia set to become 213th MNA
BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 28, 2023) - 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 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 establish a 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 Taekwondo 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. As well as updates on World Taekwondo’s MNA survey and integrity audit.
President 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.
The Baku 2023 World Taekwondo Championships which get underway tomorrow (29 May) and feature more than 950 athletes and 730 officials from 144 MNAs plus 1 Refugee Team.
