Dear Taekwondo Family,
I hope that 2021 had been eventful for you, the global Taekwondoin, especially in terms of health and safety.
From World Taekwondo’s perspective, 2021 has seen a marked improvement in terms of operations. First and foremost, we celebrated Taekwondo’s sixth consecutive Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Without a doubt, Taekwondo has evolved into one of the fairest, most transparent, and most innovative sports in the world. Taekwondo’s inclusion in the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 sports programme is testament of our global standing within the Olympic Movement.
In addition, we welcomed the exciting debut of Taekwondo in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. I am proud to inform you that at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Taekwondo will have 10 medal events instead of the current 6 events.
Despite the pandemic, World Taekwondo continues to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Olympic Agenda, such as the first-ever World Taekwondo Women’s Open Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to promote gender equality, and online Poomsae open competitions to promote health and fitness globally.
Through Taekwondo, refugees could participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games as was the case in the Tokyo Games last year. Through Taekwondo, we worked closely with various organisations and governments to bring Taekwondo-related individuals out of the difficult situation in Afghanistan.
The global Taekwondo brand was elevated immensely as well, through the fantastic performances of the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team in America’s Got Talent!
We were proud to welcome our 211th Member National Association: the Athletica Vaticana – Vatican Taekwondo! In the process, we became just the second sport to be recognised by The Vatican.
I also had the honour to be re-elected by you, our Member National Associations, as your President.
From ‘reset’ and ‘rethinking’ in 2020 and 2021, we now move on to ‘restart’ in 2022. We have major events lined up, as we look to organise the World Taekwondo Championships, World Taekwondo Junior and Cadet Championships, and World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships this year.
World Taekwondo will inspire innovation and connect with global Taekwondoin with the launch of Virtual Taekwondo, which combines physical fitness and gaming.
Over the coming year, Sport Taekwondo will undergo improvements to become more dynamic, athletic, and exciting. We will achieve all this as we strive to be one of the best governed international federations.
There is much to look forward to in 2022. To our 211 Member National Associations around the world, Taekwondo is where we are today because of you. Thank you for your dedication and passion for our beloved Taekwondo.
Stay safe and I wish all Taekwondoin a Happy New Year!
Chungwon Choue
President
World Taekwondo
