World Taekwondo Hanmadang Brings Together More Than 4,200 Participants from 61 Countries

The 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang has brought together 4,261 participants from 61 countries at Kukkiwon’s headquarters, combining competition, demonstrations, and cultural activities under the theme “World United through Taekwondo.”

The event opened on August 1 and will continue through August 5, with 170 competitive events across 15 disciplines. Unlike conventional championships, the Hanmadang is open to practitioners holding a Kukkiwon Poom or Dan certificate.

The program includes power and precision breaking, jumping, speed and distance competitions, recognized poomsae, self-defense, sparring, Taekwondo Aerobics, and comprehensive team competitions.

One of the main highlights is the Team Comprehensive Competition, featuring representatives from leading Korean universities, including Korea National Sport University, Yong In University, Kyung Hee University, Dankook University, Woosuk University, and Keimyung University.

Attention is also focused on Master Jeong Sang-min, winner of the Fist Breaking competition at the 2024 Mungyeong World Taekwondo Hanmadang, who will attempt to retain his status as the event’s “Breaking King.”

Historic Participation and Prize Money

Uganda and Fiji are participating in the World Taekwondo Hanmadang for the first time, further expanding the international reach of an event conceived as a meeting point for Kukkiwon’s global community.

For the first time since the competition was established, organizers have introduced a total prize purse of KRW 35 million. The initiative aims to raise the competitive standard and increase the intensity of the different events.

The opening program included a 1.21-kilometer parade along Teheran-ro in Seoul’s Gangnam district, led by participants from all 61 countries and a military band. The official ceremony was subsequently held at Kukkiwon’s Central Training Hall.

Among the announced dignitaries were Kukkiwon President Yun Ung-suk, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue, Korea Taekwondo Association President Yang Jin-bang, and Taekwondo Promotion Foundation Chairman Kim Jung-heon.

The opening day concluded with a special performance by the Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Team. Presented under the theme “Inheritance,” the production combined large-scale staging with high-difficulty breaking techniques.

The 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang is hosted by Kukkiwon with the support of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gangnam District, World Taekwondo, the Korea Taekwondo Association, and the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation.

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