World Taekwondo Council opens 2026 term in Fujairah under “Reborn Together” and restores national flags for Russia and Belarus

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates – With MASTKD on site, World Taekwondo held the first Council Meeting of its new term and set the political and operational tone for 2026 under the theme “Reborn Together.”

The meeting’s most consequential decision took effect immediately: the Council approved that junior and senior athletes from Russia and Belarus may compete under their national flags. At the same time, World Taekwondo clarified that existing restrictions remain unchanged: international sports events cannot be staged in Russia, and accreditations will not be issued to government officials of Russia and Belarus.

Key appointments and institutional signals

During the Extraordinary Council Meeting, World Taekwondo confirmed appointments that shape its internal leadership map for the new cycle. The Council approved the appointment of Tomas Sithole and Dagmawit Girmay Berhane as Council Members.

World Taekwondo highlighted Sithole’s previous service as a Vice President, his current role as Vice President of the Global Esports Federation, and his background within the International Olympic Committee structure. In that context, he was appointed World Taekwondo Vice President through 2027.

Regarding Berhane, World Taekwondo underlined her status as an IOC Member for Ethiopia, her personal connection to Taekwondo, and her involvement across key governance and integrity bodies, including the Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032, Olympic Solidarity, the Human Rights Advisory Committee, ANOC’s Executive Council, WADA’s Executive Committee, and the ITA Foundation Board.

The Council also approved the appointment of Shinja Lim, a two-time world champion, as the representative of Kukkiwon to the World Taekwondo Council.

A symbolic year for humanitarian Taekwondo

World Taekwondo framed 2026 as a milestone year for its humanitarian agenda, marking the 10th anniversary of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation. In the same update, it confirmed that the Olympic Refuge Foundation will join the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival in April.

Standing Committees: new bodies, term timelines, and representation figures

World Taekwondo confirmed the chairs of its Standing Committees, with terms running through the 2027 World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, with one exception: committees under the Technical Commission will conclude at the end of the 2026 World Junior Championships in Tashkent, with those appointments to follow after Tashkent.

World Taekwondo also created four new committees: Culture and Heritage, Disciplinary Tribunal, Institutional Relations, and Membership.

Standing Committees — Chairs appointed

• Coaches’ Committee — Robert Taaffe

• Culture and Heritage Committee — Justin Hou

• Development Committee — Maria Rosario Borello

• Disciplinary Tribunal — Lorenza Mel

• Education Committee — Songchul Kim

• Ethics Committee — Gabor Kristof Szucs

• Finance Committee — Pimol Srivikorn (Vice-Chair: Kudret Shamiyev)

• Institutional Relations Committee — Jinbang Yang

• Juridical Committee — Stephen Hess

• Membership Committee — Hassane Sadok

• Para Taekwondo Classification Committee — Hadwah Moawad

• Poomsae Committee — Jungheon Kim

• Sustainability Committee — Nellys Rios

• Taekwondo for All Committee — Sister Linda Sim

World Taekwondo reported that it received more than 210 applications through an open process for 18 committees, reviewed by an Ad-Hoc Nominations Committee chaired by the Treasurer, which then submitted recommendations for approval.

As part of its stated governance priorities, World Taekwondo emphasized diversity, inclusion, and continental balance, and highlighted reported representation figures: 44% female representation, with 36% of committee chairs held by women.

Tribute, reports, and regulatory updates

The Council observed a moment of silence in tribute to Grandmaster Miroslav Brezan, cited for his competitive history and long-term contribution to the sport’s development through national and European structures.

Members also received an interim report on the 2025 World Championships in Wuxi, while each Continental Union presented plans aimed at strengthening the capacity of its Member National Associations.

On the regulatory side, the Council approved amendments to World Taekwondo Statutes and a package of rules and governance instruments, including the World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Ranking Bylaw, World Para Taekwondo Paralympic Standing Procedures, Regulations on Administration of International Classifiers, Global Integrity Unit Terms of Reference, and the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions Code.

Next institutional milestones

A Council workshop in Fujairah is scheduled for tomorrow, 1 February, to advance discussion on the strategic plan for the coming years.

World Taekwondo confirmed its next institutional calendar: the Ordinary Council Meeting will take place on 10 April in Tashkent, followed by the General Assembly on 11 April, ahead of the World Taekwondo Junior Championships scheduled for 12–17 April.

MAS: Media About Sport.
TKD: Taekwondo.
MASTKD: Worldwide Leader on Taekwondo Information.

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