A record 1,417 athletes have gathered in Korea for the largest edition in the competition’s history. Vatican City will make its World Taekwondo championship debut, while refugee athletes will also compete on the sport’s biggest Poomsae stage.

Competitors from 83 countries will take part alongside members of the World Taekwondo Refugee Team and athletes competing under the World Taekwondo flag. The final registration figure establishes a new participation record for the championships.

Competition will run from September 16 to 20, with 42 world titles at stake across Recognised and Freestyle Poomsae divisions.

Vatican City set for historic debut

Vatican City will compete at a World Taekwondo-promoted championship for the first time, adding a significant milestone to the continued international expansion of the sport.

Athletes from the Azraq and Zaatari refugee camps in Jordan will also represent the World Taekwondo Refugee Team in Chuncheon.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue highlighted the broader significance of both delegations during the opening ceremony.

“The fact that Vatican City and our refugee athletes are here with us in Chuncheon sends a powerful message that Taekwondo is open to everyone,” Choue said.

Twenty years of World Poomsae competition

Chuncheon 2026 also marks the 20th anniversary of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, first held in Seoul in 2006.

The Korean city becomes the fourth host in the country’s history, following Seoul, Incheon and Goyang.

Chuncheon Mayor Yook Dong-han welcomed the participating delegations and reaffirmed the city’s ambition to strengthen its position as an international centre for Taekwondo.

World Taekwondo Vice Presidents and Council Members, Korean government officials and representatives from the global Taekwondo community attended the ceremony, which concluded with a performance by the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team.

Competition begins on September 16 and will continue until September 20 at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome.

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