MUJU, Korea (Jun 1, 2026) – The World Taekwondo 2026 Para Taekwondo Training Camp began today at Muju Taekwondowon in Korea, as athletes from around the world gathered to prepare for the Chuncheon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge.
Around 70 Para Taekwondoin from more than 20 Member National Associations, the World Taekwondo Refugee Team and World Taekwondo (Costa Rica) registered for the Training Camp, with 68 of those set to compete at the Chuncheon 2026 Para Taekwondo Open Challenge from July 8-9. Among the participating nations with developing athletes are Namibia, Germany, Myanmar, Puerto Rico and Malaysia. Notably, Namibia is taking part in a World Taekwondo Para event for the very first time, highlighting the expanding global reach of the sport.
The Opening Ceremony took place today, marking the beginning of a week of interactive and dynamic training opportunities through to July 6.
Sessions at the Training Camp cover areas including power and precision, defence and counter-attacking, competition simulation, and recovery and refinement.
Among the athletes participating in both the Training Camp and the Chuncheon 2026 Para Taekwondo Open Challenge are Paralympic medallists from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, medallists from the 2024 and 2025 Open Challenge in Chuncheon, and medallists from the Roma 2026 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix.
Brazil’s Ana Carolina Silva de Moura, who claimed Paralympic gold in the Women’s K44 -65kg at Paris 2024 and Grand Prix silver in Rome, is one of the leading stars set to compete. She won gold in Chuncheon last year, as did her compatriot Silvana Mayara Cardoso Fernandes – a two-time Paralympic bronze medallist and recent winner in the Women’s K44 -57kg at the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix in Rome. Cardoso Fernandes won the final in the Italian capital against another Brazilian in Maria Eduarda Machado Stumpf, who will also be participating in Korea.
Türkiye’s Ali Can Özcan – a Paralympic silver medallist at Paris 2024 in the Men’s K44 -58kg – will feature at the events, as will Paris 2024 bronze medallist and Roma 2026 Grand Prix winner Christina Gkentzou of Greece in the Women’s K44 -65kg, and two-time Paralympic medallist Naimova Guljonoy of Uzbekistan in the Women’s K44 -65kg.
Refugee athlete from the Zaatari Refugee Camp will additionally take part in the Training Camp and the Para Taekwondo Open Challenge: Elaf Ismaael Al-Qublan, competing in the Women’s K44 -52kg, and Mohammad Maher Karman, who also attended last year’s Training Camp and competes in the Men’s K44 -58kg.
As part of programme of activities, World Taekwondo President Dr Chungwon Choue will address athletes and coaches on Friday July 3, offering his insight and inspiration.
Following the completion of the camp, athletes will transfer to Chuncheon for the Para Taekwondo Open Challenge on July 7.
WT
