Kukkiwon to Welcome More Than 4,200 Participants for the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang
The traditional global festival will take place from August 1 to 5 in Seoul, bringing together representatives from 61 countries across 170 competitive categories and introducing prize money for the first time in its history.
The 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang will gather 4,261 participants from 61 countries at Kukkiwon headquarters for five days of breaking, poomsae, self-defense, kyorugi and team competitions.
Held under the slogan “World United through Taekwondo,” the event is open to practitioners holding an official Kukkiwon Poom or Dan certificate. This year’s program features 170 categories across 15 individual and team disciplines.
The schedule includes power breaking, all-around breaking, record contests, recognized poomsae, self-defense, kyorugi, Taekwondo Aerobics and the Team Comprehensive Competition.
The team event is expected to be one of the main attractions, with renowned Korean institutions such as Kyung Hee University, Yong In University, Korea National Sport University, Dankook University, Keimyung University and Woosuk University among the participating teams.
Historic Changes for the 2026 Edition
For the first time since the Hanmadang was established, Kukkiwon will award a total prize purse of KRW 35 million. The initiative is intended to raise the competitive standard and increase interest across the different disciplines.
The 2026 edition will also mark the Hanmadang debut of Uganda and Fiji, expanding the event’s international reach.
Another major storyline will involve Jeong Sang-min, who earned the title of “Breaking King” at the 2024 Mungyeong World Taekwondo Hanmadang. He will attempt to defend his crown in the fist-breaking competition.
Taekwondo Takes Over the Streets of Gangnam
The opening day on Saturday, August 1, will feature a carnival parade led by athletes from the 61 participating countries and a military band.
The procession will depart from Kukkiwon’s Iljumun Gate at 4:00 p.m. and cover a 1.21-kilometer route along Teheran-ro, one of the main avenues in Seoul’s Gangnam district.
The official opening ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. inside Kukkiwon’s Central Training Hall, with international Taekwondo leaders, Kukkiwon officials and local government representatives in attendance.
The program will also include a special performance by the Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Team. Presented under the theme “Inheritance,” the production will bring together all full-time and part-time members of the team for its only complete performance of the year, featuring high-difficulty techniques and breaking routines.
Hosted by Kukkiwon, the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang is supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gangnam-gu, World Taekwondo, the Korea Taekwondo Association and the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation.
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