Chuncheon 2026 draws record 1,411 athletes for World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships
CHUNCHEON, Korea — The Chuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships will set a new participation record with 1,411 athletes, confirming the continued international expansion of the discipline.
The 14th edition of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships will bring together athletes from 83 countries and the Taekwondo Refugee Team from September 16–20 in Korea.
The competition will take place from September 16–20 at the Air Dome in Songam Sports Town, where 42 medal events will be contested across Recognised Poomsae and Freestyle, including Individual, Pair and Team divisions.
The registered field represents 83 countries, in addition to the Taekwondo Refugee Team, surpassing the participation figures recorded at the 2024 edition in Hong Kong, China.
A historic debut for Vatican City
Among the athletes registered for Chuncheon 2026 is Diego Di Mattia, who will compete in the Under 30 Male Individual division.
His participation will make him the first athlete to represent Vatican City at a World Taekwondo-promoted championship, adding another historic milestone to an edition already defined by record numbers.
Refugee athletes return to the world stage
The Taekwondo Refugee Team will include Marwah Almahmoud Alsheikh, from the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan. She will compete in the Female Cadet division after recently earning a medal at the Kim & Liù Tournament in Rome.
Belal Eed, from the Zaatari Refugee Camp, will compete in the Under 30 Male Individual category.
World Taekwondo President Dr. Chungwon Choue described Chuncheon 2026 as a landmark edition.
“This growth is a testament to how far Poomsae has come, and to its power to unite people from every corner of the world,” Choue said.
The World Championships return to Korea
Korea hosted the inaugural World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Seoul in 2006. The country later staged the event in Incheon in 2007 and Goyang in 2022.
Chuncheon will now become the fourth Korean host city as the Championships return to the birthplace of Taekwondo with their largest athlete participation to date.
Alongside the competition, an Extraordinary World Taekwondo Council Meeting will be held on September 15, while a Peace Walk is scheduled for September 17.
About The Author
Descubre más desde MASTKD
Suscríbete y recibe las últimas entradas en tu correo electrónico.
