Yongin Hosts One of the World’s Largest Taekwondo Events in Korea
CHEORWON, South Korea — On April 1, the 36th Yongin University President’s Cup Taekwondo Championships officially kicked off, an event that for two weeks will make Korea the epicenter of formative taekwondo on a scale rarely seen in the sport.
CHEORWON, South Korea — On April 1, the 36th Yongin University President’s Cup Taekwondo Championships officially kicked off, an event that for two weeks will make Korea the epicenter of formative taekwondo on a scale rarely seen in the sport.
The championship, which runs through April 14, brings together more than 6,000 participants, including 5,767 athletes and approximately 250 officials and referees, most of whom come from the Korean school system (middle and high school).
Local media in Korea had already anticipated participation exceeding 6,000 competitors and delegations, confirming the event’s magnitude even before it began.
A format that explains its size
Unlike traditional short-duration tournaments, the President’s Cup takes place over 14 consecutive days, organized into two main blocks:
• April 1–5: National Gyeokpah (breaking) Championship
• April 6–14: Full President’s Cup competition featuring:
o Kyorugi
o Poomsae
o Individual and team competitions
This staggered format allows for the management of a massive volume of participation, a hallmark of the Korean competitive system.
Scale: Among the global elite
With over 6,000 participants in action, the event clearly ranks among the largest taekwondo tournaments worldwide, particularly within the structured competitive arena.
The global ecosystem also features large-scale events with different formats, such as the World Taekwondo Hanmadang organized by Kukkiwon, widely recognized as one of the largest international taekwondo festivals.
In this context, the Yongin tournament stands out particularly for its competitive focus, extended duration, and sustained volume—elements that place it among the most significant events on the calendar in terms of participation.
The Key: The Korean System
Beyond its scale, the event reflects how the Korean model operates:
• Broad school-based foundation
• High frequency of competition
• Integration of disciplines
• Focus on high performance
These types of structures explain the country’s continued presence among the world’s taekwondo elite.
MAS: Media About Sport.
TKD: Taekwondo.
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