The African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) published the list of athletes qualified for the 2026 African Kyorugi Championships in Rabat (Morocco), based on the African Open Series (AOS) 1–2–3–4–5–6 system, and established the administrative framework that will rule these spots: they are nominative, non-transferable, and do not allow for division changes.
La African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) publicó el listado de atletas clasificados para los African Kyorugi Championships 2026 en Rabat (Marruecos), a partir del sistema African Open Series (AOS) 1–2–3–4–5–6, y fijó el marco administrativo que regirá estos cupos: son nominativos, no se transfieren y no admiten cambio de categoría.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Federación de Taekwondo de Puerto Rico realizó el domingo 25 de enero de 2026 una reunión oficial centrada en prevención de “violencia no accidental” en el deporte, bajo enfoque Safeguarding, con capacitación dirigida por la Dra. Nellys Ríos.
Afghan coach Khadija Ahmadzada was arrested on January 13, 2026, in Herat, Afghanistan, after being reported for teaching women, a practice prohibited under the Taliban regime. The Dutch Taekwondo Federation (Taekwondo Bond Nederland) reported the case, launched a petition, and announced that it would present it to the Afghan ambassador in the Netherlands. Days later, the same entity reported that Ahmadzada had been released following international pressure.
SOFIA — Bulgaria has once again turned to Iran to strengthen its high-performance taekwondo program. Slavcho “Slavi” Binev, president of the Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation and member of the World Taekwondo Council, confirmed that the country was in the process of naturalizing another elite Iranian competitor, but warned that the plan had been slowed down by administrative delays in issuing the passport.
SOFIA — Bulgaria volvió a mirar hacia Irán para reforzar su proyecto de alto rendimiento en Taekwondo. Slavcho “Slavi” Binev, presidente de Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation y miembro del Consejo de World Taekwondo, confirmó que el país estaba en proceso de naturalizar a otro competidor iraní de nivel élite, pero advirtió que el plan se había frenado por retrasos administrativos en la emisión del pasaporte.
Rome, Italy – The Italian Taekwondo Federation (FITA) and Sportface TV launched “Taekwondo Plus,” an OTT (“Over-the-Top”) channel, streaming online, outside of traditional TV, dedicated to Italian Taekwondo, in a move that reinforces its communication and positioning plan ahead of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Rome 2026 at the Foro Italico.
Former GB Taekwondo Executive Performance Director Gary Hall MBE has taken on the role of High-Performance Director at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Vijayanagar, India, and has already led talent identification efforts for Taekwondo ahead of Los Angeles 2028, including trials in Assam alongside Olympic champion Jade Jones.
El ex Executive Performance Director de GB Taekwondo, Gary Hall, asumió rol de High-Performance Director en Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), en Vijayanagar (India), y ya encabezó acciones de detección de talento para Taekwondo rumbo a Los Ángeles 2028, incluyendo evaluaciones en Assam junto a la campeona olímpica Jade Jones.
Sogamoso, Colombia — World Taekwondo (WT) held a new stage of the WT Referee Training Camp for the Pan-Am region at the International High Performance Center (CIART), focused on training, evaluating, and selecting international referees for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, according to information provided to MASTKD by the Colombian Taekwondo Federation and its president, Cito René Forero.
