MUJU, Korea (July 3, 2026) – World Taekwondo President Dr Chungwon Choue today addressed participants of the World Taekwondo 2026 Para Taekwondo Training Camp and the World Taekwondo Partnership Taekwondo Programme (PTP) in Muju Taekwondowon, inspiring them with a message of unity, opportunity and the power of sport to transform lives.
World Taekwondo Vice President Jinbang Yang, World Taekwondo Council member and Para Taekwondo Classification Committee Chair Hadwah Moawad, World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, and Para Taekwondo Committee Chair Usman Dildar attended the event.
President Choue welcomed all participants to Muju Taekwondowon, and highlighted the growth of World Taekwondo from its founding with 17 Member National Associations (MNAs) in 1973, to 215 MNAs plus the Refugee Team today.
“World Taekwondo remains steadfast in its commitment to providing opportunities to athletes from all around the world, regardless of their background,” President Choue said.
–Our global growth has helped to establish Taekwondo as a leading Olympic and Paralympic sport, and this has also been recognised by the International University Sports Federation, who have added Para Taekwondo to next year’s World University Games in Chungcheong. That brings the total number of Taekwondo medal events up to 38, cementing our position as the third biggest sport on the programme.
–Virtual Taekwondo is unlocking new audiences and opportunities for our sport, making it more inclusive than ever before.
“Our slogan for 2026 is Reborn Together, and we are determined to work closely with our MNAs to continue the rapid growth of Para Taekwondo globally. The recent appointment of Paralympic gold medallist and Para Taekwondo Committee member Lisa Kjaer as a World Taekwondo Council member will further support this growth.”
The World Taekwondo 2026 Para Taekwondo Training Camp features 70 Taekwondo athletes from more than 23 MNAs, the World Taekwondo Refugee Team and World Taekwondo (Costa Rica), with 68 of those set to compete at the Chuncheon 2026 Para Taekwondo Open Challenge. Two refugee athletes from the Zaatari Refugee Camp, Elaf Ismaael Al-Qublan and Mohammad Maher Karman, are among those who are taking part.
The Training Camp provides an opportunity for intensive and interactive training that furthers the physical abilities of athletes, and also focuses on the values of Taekwondo through worldwide connection, mutual respect and global community.
It is taking place until July 6, featuring multiple medallists from the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, last year’s Para Taekwondo Open Challenge and the Roma 2026 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix.
The PTP, jointly organised by the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is also taking place in Muju Taekwondowon alongside the Para Taekwondo Training Camp, with 78 athletes in attendance from 24 countries.
It is designed to strengthen technical standards, promote cultural exchange and support long-term capacity building within the global Taekwondo community.
WT
