EXCLUSIVE MASTKD | The President of the French Taekwondo Federation outlined his strategy for Los Angeles 2028, discussed the future of the national team and ParaTaekwondo, and revealed details of an ambitious educational project designed to strengthen the sport beyond Olympic success.

In an exclusive interview with MASTKD during the Paris-Levallois 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix, Sadok discussed the strategic priorities of his administration, the development of the French Taekwondo Institute and the challenges facing France as it prepares for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

His vision reflects two interconnected stages of leadership: achieving a historic sporting milestone and establishing the institutional foundations needed to support future generations.

A Leader with Extensive Experience in Sport and Education

Sadok assumed the presidency of the FFTDA in 2020, following an extensive career within the federation.

He previously served as Secretary General from 2005 to 2016 and Vice President from 2018 to 2020, building considerable experience in sports administration and institutional development.

His responsibilities have also extended to the international stage, including participation in European Taekwondo governance and educational activities within World Taekwondo.

In June 2024, he was re-elected with 87.67% of the vote. His leadership was subsequently renewed in November for the 2024–2028 Olympic cycle.

Beyond Taekwondo, Sadok has maintained a longstanding connection with higher education and academic administration.

In April 2026, he received the insignia of Knight of the French Legion of Honour, recognizing his contributions to sport, higher education and public service.

This background helps explain why education has become a central pillar of his institutional agenda.

The Grand Prix as a Tool for Federation Development

Asked about the benefits of hosting major international competitions and their potential impact on French clubs, Sadok emphasized that the Grand Prix represents much more than a high-level sporting event.

“This is not our first Grand Prix. This is the third one. When we agreed on our strategy for the last Olympic period, for Paris, for me, this Grand Prix was an opportunity for the French to gather and work as a team. This is very important.”

He also highlighted the international exposure generated through television, YouTube and social media, recognizing the competition’s value in promoting Taekwondo beyond the sporting arena.

The event’s location in the Île-de-France region is particularly significant.

According to Sadok, the region has more than 70,000 Taekwondo practitioners and over 300 clubs, within a territory inhabited by approximately 12 million people.

The President emphasized the importance of institutional support from regional authorities, particularly those responsible for sport.

For the FFTDA, the organization of international competitions forms part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing visibility, strengthening institutional partnerships and bringing the French Taekwondo community together.

Sadok also expressed his ambition to host another Grand Prix in August, potentially returning to the same venue and organizational structure, subject to confirmation through the international competition calendar.

Los Angeles 2028: Building the Next Generation

Althéa Laurin’s gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games represented a historic breakthrough for French Taekwondo.

Her achievement gave France its first Olympic title in the discipline and fulfilled one of the major sporting ambitions identified by Sadok during his presidency.

However, the federation is already looking beyond that milestone.

With the qualification process for Los Angeles 2028 approaching, the President explained that France is working to develop a new generation of athletes capable of competing at the highest international level.

“The French team is currently building a new team,” Sadok told MASTKD.

He acknowledged that the Olympic ranking process is still in its early stages and that athletes are continuing their preparation for the next cycle.

Sadok also expressed hope that Laurin would return to major international competitions, including the World Championships and future Grand Prix events.

At the same time, he highlighted the potential of younger French athletes, emphasizing the importance of their technical development and competitive experience.

For the federation, the challenge is to combine the achievements of established Olympic medalists with a sustainable pathway for emerging talent.

The ultimate ambition is not merely to repeat the success of Paris 2024, but to broaden France’s medal prospects at Los Angeles 2028.

ParaTaekwondo: Sporting Success and Social Inclusion

ParaTaekwondo represents another important component of the federation’s development strategy.

During the interview, Sadok reflected on the remarkable journey of Zakia Khudadadi, the Afghan-born athlete who made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games by winning bronze for the Refugee Paralympic Team.

Her achievement marked the first Paralympic medal ever won by an athlete representing that team.

Sadok recalled the circumstances surrounding her departure from Afghanistan and the support she received after arriving in France.

He also explained that efforts had been made to help her obtain French citizenship, a process that was eventually completed after Paris 2024.

Khudadadi became a French citizen in 2025 and subsequently began representing France internationally, adding a new chapter to an already extraordinary sporting journey.

The President also highlighted the performances of French ParaTaekwondo athletes during the Paris-Levallois Grand Prix.

“We have a good team. We got three medals: two silvers and one bronze. The girls are very motivated, and we hope we will continue to win with this team.”

His remarks illustrate the confidence surrounding France’s ParaTaekwondo program.

Beyond international medals, the broader challenge remains developing opportunities for people with disabilities to access Taekwondo, progress through organized training and eventually reach elite competition.

The French Taekwondo Institute: A Major Institutional Project

One of the most significant moments of the interview came when Sadok discussed the planned French Taekwondo Institute.

The project represents a central component of his administration’s long-term vision.

Rather than focusing exclusively on elite athletes, the proposed institute aims to establish a permanent educational structure serving the broader Taekwondo community.

“This institute will be dedicated to education in all fields: coaches, referees, practitioners, everything. It is focused only on education.”

According to Sadok, the planned facilities will include approximately 400 square meters dedicated to practical training and four classrooms equipped with modern technology.

The objective is to create a specialized environment for professional development, technical instruction and continuing education.

Official FFTDA documentation provides further insight into the institutional significance of the initiative.

The institute is planned for Joinville-le-Pont, in the Île-de-France region, where the federation intends to establish a permanent facility dedicated to its educational activities.

The project was approved at the federation’s March 2025 General Assembly with 96.20% support.

Beyond its educational mission, the initiative is also intended to improve the federation’s long-term operational independence by providing dedicated facilities and reducing its reliance on rented spaces.

The development has progressed through several administrative and financial stages involving regional and departmental institutions.

However, the completion of the project will depend on the implementation of its construction and financing arrangements.

Sadok expressed hope that the institute could become operational after the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

For French Taekwondo, the project represents an opportunity to strengthen the connection between national-level sports development and the education of professionals working throughout the federation.

New Technologies and the Future of Coaching Education

Sadok’s educational ambitions extend beyond the construction of a training facility.

The President believes that modern coaching education must evolve alongside technological developments and advances in teaching methodologies.

He pointed to the need for more specialized training, particularly for coaches working at the highest competitive levels.

His goal is to develop an educational structure capable of preparing professionals to respond to the changing demands of modern Taekwondo.

“We want to be a reference in education, so that all our coaches know the new technologies and the new educational techniques. This is my goal, and I will achieve it.”

During the interview, Sadok also referred to emerging technological tools, although he did not provide detailed information about specific programs or their implementation.

The underlying objective is clear: make professional education a defining element of the federation’s long-term development.

If successfully implemented, the institute could provide an institutional platform for improving coaching standards, referee education and technical development across different levels of French Taekwondo.

Its eventual impact, however, will depend on the accessibility, quality and continuity of the programs it delivers.

From Olympic Gold to an Institutional Legacy

The final question of the MASTKD interview invited Sadok to reflect on his greatest achievement as federation president and the legacy he hopes to leave at the end of his current term.

His response captured the central theme of the conversation.

“My first goal was to help win the gold medal. And it was achieved. My second goal now is education. Education is very important.”

For Sadok, the historic achievement of Paris 2024 has opened the way for a new institutional priority.

The objective is no longer limited to producing Olympic champions. It is also about strengthening the structures that support coaches, referees, clubs and practitioners throughout the country.

He nevertheless retains another major sporting ambition: helping France achieve its first men’s Olympic gold medal in Taekwondo.

These two priorities—elite sporting success and educational development—define the direction of his administration as the federation approaches Los Angeles 2028.

The French Taekwondo Institute is perhaps the clearest expression of that strategy.

While the Olympic gold medal won in Paris is already part of French sporting history, the educational transformation envisioned by Sadok remains a work in progress.

Its long-term significance will ultimately be determined not only by the completion of a new facility, but by its ability to improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of Taekwondo education throughout France.

For Hassane Sadok, that may become one of the defining measures of his presidency.

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