SEOUL, Korea (Dec. 23, 2024) - World Taekwondo is delighted to announce the winners of the Sustainability Awards 2024, celebrating the remarkable contributions of our Member National Associations in advancing sustainability and creating a positive impact in their communities through Taekwondo.

 

The Sustainability Awards were first launched in 2023 to inspire and recognize exceptional efforts toward sustainable practices within the Taekwondo community. This year, we received 26 applications—an increase of five from last year—and a distinguished panel of external judges was invited to help evaluate the most impactful initiatives of our Member National Associations and ensure a fair and thorough evaluation process.

 

This year's awards recognize excellence in three categories, reflecting World Taekwondo’s strategic Focus Areas:

- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Community

- Health & Well-being

- Environmental Sustainability

 

Each category’s 1^st place will receive a trophy and USD 5,000 in value-in-kind support through the Development Program for 2025. Furthermore, all eligible applicants will have their initiatives featured on the World Taekwondo website, highlighting their impactful efforts.

 

Award Winners:

[Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Community]

1st Place: Guatemala – "Taekwondo for Me" addresses gender-based violence and human trafficking, offering victims self-defense training and empowerment while promoting cultural change and awareness.

 

 

2nd Place: Mongolia – "Together for a Shared Future" provides free Taekwondo training for individuals with disabilities, fostering inclusivity and societal change.

 

3rd Place: Italy – "One World, One Taekwondo, All Together" creates inclusive sports opportunities for underrepresented groups, impacting over 9,780 participants through collaboration and community outreach.

 

[Health & Well-being]

1st Place: Puerto Rico – Psychological Counseling Department provides free mental health services to over 100 athletes and stakeholders, raising awareness and conducting over 1,000 interventions.

 

 

2nd Place: Tonga – "Taekwondo for Youth: Building Healthy Futures" introduces Taekwondo to children, promoting fitness, discipline, and personal growth, benefiting over 300 young participants.

 

3rd Place: Jordan – National Teams Preparation Center offers state-of-the-art facilities and a holistic sports environment to enhance health, well-being, and skill development for national athletes.

 

[Environmental Sustainability]

1st Place: Italy – "SusTAEnible – FITA Practical Sustainable Projects" integrates sustainability into Taekwondo through initiatives like the "FITA Forest" and recyclable materials at events, fostering environmental responsibility.

 

 

2nd Place: Mongolia – "Trees for Tomorrow, Strength for Today" tackles desertification by planting over 150,000 trees as part of a national reforestation campaign.

 

3rd Place: Kenya – "Kenya Taekwondo Federation Turns Green" combines tree planting and community engagement, training 145,000 volunteers to support reforestation and sustainable development across 47 counties.

 

A notable mention goes to South Africa’s project, “Championing Socio-cohesion” which was highlighted by jury members for its proposed next steps, which focused on enhancing Taekwondo through improved facilities, communication, and self-sustaining efforts.

 

The winners of each category have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to promoting sustainable practices and fostering a positive impact on the global Taekwondo community. World Taekwondo congratulates all the winners and participants for their dedication to sustainability and for setting a powerful example of how sports can drive meaningful change.