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Vatican City seminary's taekwondo course holds first belt test
Students of the Saint Pius X Institute's taekwondo course in Vatican City. Courtesy of World Taekwondo
By Ko Dong-hwan
By Ko Dong-hwan
Even during the COVID-19 global pandemic, taekwondo hasn't stopped in Vatican City, as the city state's seminary for future priests held its first belt test for students taking the taekwondo course there.
Twenty boys from the Saint Pius X Institute, aged between 13 and 17, proved their skills in the examination on Feb. 8 before the eyes of Don Angelo Magistrelli, the rector of the institute, who attended the occasion, according to World Taekwondo (WT), the global governing body of the sport. Four students passed the exam at the green belt level, while the rest achieved a yellow belt level.
Mos Melchor Sanchez, head of culture and sports at the Vatican, said after the examination, “Dear the Federzione Italiana Taekwondo (FITA) President Angelo Cito, this is a small miracle in the time of the pandemic. Thanks to you and FITA and our dear World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won.”
World Taekwondo Demonstration Team performs at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City in 2018, with Pope Francis, right, watching them. Courtesy of World Taekwondo
The institute launched the course as part of its curriculum in October 2020 in partnership with FITA. It was taught three times a week by former European champion Leonardo Basile, who was appointed by FITA.
WT said it was the first time such a course was held at the seminary.
The birth of taekwondo at the seminary wouldn't have been possible without Choue's close affinity with the Vatican. Choue, finding a shared commitment with the city to promoting peace, had expressed hope that the sport's official governing body will be established in the city someday and join as a member of WT.
In 2017, Choue and Cito were received by Pope Francis in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican City. In the meeting, Choue awarded Pope Francis with an honorary 10-dan black belt.
The following year, WT's taekwondo demonstration team performed a historic demonstration at the same Vatican City square in front of the pope.