POKHARA, Nepal (Sep 22, 2022) - The 3rd Mt. Everest International Open Taekwondo Championships and the 1st Mt. Everest GCS International Poomsae Championships kicked off in Pokhara, Nepal on September 22, 2022.

The four-day Mt. Everest events drew over 1,400 athletes and officials from 12 countries, with India dispatching the largest delegation of about 750 contestants and officials.

Among the attendees were WT President Dr. Chungwon Choue and Mr. Kyu-seok Lee, vice president of World Taekwondo. Also on hand were honorable Krishna Chandra Pokhrel, chief minister of the Gandaki Province; Mr. Prakash Shumsher Rana, president of the Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA).

The ceremony featured traditional Nepalese dance performances and a Taekwondo performance by the Nepal Taekwondo Demonstration Team, drawing a big applause from the attendees,

"Nepal is one of my favorite countries to visit, because of not only its beauty, but also the warmth of the people. I would like to thank NTA President Rana and his team, as well as the government of Nepal for your incredible support for Taekwondo," said WT President Choue. "Taekwondo is one of the most important social and sporting unifiers of peace around the world, including here in Nepal. Other than the 3rd Mt. Everest International Open and the 1st Mt. Everest GCS, WT is also committed to the development of Nepalese society through the WT Cares program."

"I am delighted that more than 1,400 athletes and officials from 12 countries are here today. The large number of athletes is an indication of the importance of the Mt Everest event," Choue said.