The Lux Taekwondo OPEN 2026 officially concluded the weekend of May 23-24 at Coque Kirchberg in Luxembourg, once again confirming its place as one of the most important and consistent tournaments on the WT G1/E1 European calendar.
Celebrating its tenth edition, the Lux Open gathered cadet, junior, and senior athletes from around the world in two days defined by high technical level, international diversity, and an organizational structure that continues to strengthen the event’s reputation within global taekwondo.
From the opening matches on Saturday, the cadet and junior divisions immediately set the competitive tone of the tournament. Young athletes representing multiple European federations showcased the intensity and evolution of modern taekwondo through fast-paced exchanges, tactical discipline, and strong technical execution.
Beyond the action on the mats, the event also received important institutional support during the first day of competition. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture and Minister for Consumer Protection visited the venue and was officially guided by Norbert Welu, president of the Luxembourg Taekwondo Federation, who introduced the minister to several aspects of Olympic taekwondo, including competition structure, scoring systems, and the international relevance of the tournament.
The official delegation was also accompanied by Inseon Kim from the World Taekwondo Council, while Fred Buitenhuis participated as one of the senior officials of the event.
As part of the institutional activities surrounding the championship, Welu also presented commemorative recognitions to several official guests and personalities in appreciation for their support and presence during the 10th anniversary edition of the Lux Open.
Sunday shifted the spotlight toward the senior divisions, where the level of competition rose even further with internationally experienced athletes competing for WT G1 ranking points. The finals delivered a diverse medal distribution across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, reinforcing the Lux Open’s status as a truly global event.
Among the standout senior champions were Matheus Gilliard Goncalves in the men’s -54kg division, Amine Boukarnia at -58kg, Sekou Coulibaly claiming gold on home soil in the men’s -68kg category, and Marco Naso taking the heavyweight title in +87kg.
In the women’s divisions, notable performances included Hinata Okazaki winning -46kg, Maya Mata securing gold at -49kg, Athina Makrygianni taking the -53kg title, and Sandy Macedo reaching the top of the podium in the -67kg category. Germany also closed the event strongly with titles from Alema Hadzic and Esmeralda Husovic in the heavier women’s divisions.
Throughout the weekend, the Lux Open once again demonstrated why it has become a strategic stop within the international circuit. The combination of organizational consistency, international participation, and high competitive standards has allowed the event to maintain steady growth over ten editions, attracting both emerging athletes and established competitors seeking international experience and ranking opportunities.
What ultimately defined Luxembourg this weekend was not only the medal count or the ranking points awarded, but the consolidation of an event that continues to represent the modern direction of taekwondo in Europe: technically demanding, globally connected, and professionally organized.
After two intense days at Coque Kirchberg, the curtain closes on another successful edition of the Lux Open — a tournament that continues to strengthen its identity as one of Europe’s premier WT G1/E1 competitions.
Ricardo Hernández / Mundotaekwondo.com
