The Altaic Taekwondo Union Launches a New Eurasian Cooperation Platform in Astana

Astana hosted the first General Assembly of the Altaic Taekwondo Union, a new international organization created to promote sports cooperation among national federations linked to Central Asia, the Turkic world, and other territories within the Eurasian region.

MASTKD ESPAÑOL

The meeting brought together World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue; the president of the Union and of the Kazakhstan Taekwondo Federation, Kudrat Shamiyev; and representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, South Korea, Russia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The Assembly formalized the institutional structure of an organization that seeks to develop championships, training camps, training programs, and exchanges among athletes, coaches, referees, and officials from its member countries.

What does the name “Altaic” represent?

Altai is the name of a mountainous region in Central Asia located between Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and China.

The name is often associated with the idea of “golden mountains” and holds deep historical significance for various peoples of Eurasia.

Within the new organization, the term should not be interpreted solely as a geographical boundary. It serves as a cultural and historical identity intended to connect federations from countries with Central Asian, Turkic, Mongolian, and Eurasian ties.

For this reason, not all members are located within the Altai mountain region. The name represents a broader space for cooperation than its strict geographical location.

A Union Reserved for Its Member Federations

The Altaic Taekwondo Union was not established as an organization offering automatic membership to any National Member Association of World Taekwondo.

Its membership is based on a specific selection of federations connected to the Eurasian cultural, historical, or geographic space that gave rise to the project.

This means that a National Member Association (NMA) from the Americas, Africa, Oceania, or another region does not automatically become a member simply by belonging to World Taekwondo or by participating in a competition organized by the Union.

Participation in the Altaic Taekwondo Championships G-1 is restricted: only athletes representing member countries of the Altaic Taekwondo Union may compete. It is not a G-1 event open to any World Taekwondo MNA.

Kudrat Shamiyev to Lead the Organization

Kudrat Shamiyev was confirmed as president of the Union, and his presidential term was set at four years.

Shamiyev also serves as president of the Kazakhstan Taekwondo Federation, a country that played a central role in the creation and implementation of the new structure.

Nadezhda Khamitova, vice president of the Kazakhstan Federation, was elected secretary general, and Bahri Tanrıkulu, current president of the Turkish Federation, will serve as vice president.

The Assembly also appointed Ali Sağırkaya, auditor of World Taekwondo; Metin Şahin, former president of the Turkish Taekwondo Federation; and Jin-bang Yang, president of the Korea Taekwondo Association, as senior advisors.

The presence of these figures brings international experience to an organization that has yet to publicly define key aspects of its governance, membership criteria, and relationship with existing continental structures.

“Today we are laying the foundation for an international organization that will promote the development of taekwondo, strengthen friendship among our countries, and open new opportunities for athletes, coaches, and professionals,” said Shamiyev.

The leader noted that the Union will be based on principles of mutual respect, partnership, and the joint development of the sport.

It Does Not Replace Continental Unions

The Altai Taekwondo Union should not be confused with a new continental union under World Taekwondo.

The federations participating in it continue to belong to their respective recognized structures, primarily the Asian Taekwondo Union and the European Taekwondo Union.

The new entity is presented, at least in this initial stage, as a complementary platform for cooperation among certain countries and not as a body intended to replace the continental unions.

Chungwon Choue’s presence at the Assembly represents significant political and institutional support, although it does not in and of itself imply that the Union has been incorporated as a formal division within World Taekwondo’s statutory structure.

The first championship brings the project into the competitive arena

This institutional consolidation coincided with the first edition of the Altaic Taekwondo Championships, scheduled for June 22 and 23, 2026, in Astana.

The competition was included in the international calendar as a G-1 tournament, a status that allows for the awarding of world ranking points in the corresponding categories.

Each participating MNA may register a limited number of athletes per division, in accordance with the conditions established for the event. This opportunity for international participation broadens the championship’s sporting scope but does not alter the specific nature of the Union’s membership.

Although the championship awards G-1 points toward the world rankings, participation is reserved for athletes from the national federations that make up the Altaic Taekwondo Union. Therefore, its inclusion in the World Taekwondo calendar does not imply that it is open to all MNAs.

Kazakhstan Strengthens Its International Position

The Assembly and the championship are part of a broader strategy by Kazakhstan to increase its presence in international Taekwondo.

Astana will also host the 2026 Kazakhstan Open, scheduled for June 25–27, and the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final, set for November 28–29.

The Kazakh capital was also selected to host the 2027 World Taekwondo Championships, which will be held in the country for the first time.

This schedule positions Kazakhstan not only as an organizer of major competitions but also as a driving force behind new institutional partnerships within Eurasia.

The Altaic Taekwondo Union thus begins its journey with designated officials, identified member countries, and an international championship already in operation.

About The Author