World Taekwondo president awarded honorary doctorate for sports leadership

World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won speaks during an honorary doctorate presentation ceremony at the Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sports in Tashkent, Sunday. Korea Times Photo by Choi Won-suk

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won received an honorary doctorate in physical education on Sunday from the Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sport, recognizing his role in promoting taekwondo worldwide and advancing sports diplomacy.

The ceremony, held on the opening day of the 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, brought together World Taekwondo Council members, university leaders, faculty and students. Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sport President Rashid Matkarimov cited Choue’s long tenure at the helm of World Taekwondo and his humanitarian work through the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, which supports refugees and displaced communities through sport.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue writes a message in the guestbook during an honorary doctorate presentation ceremony at the Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sports in Tashkent, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Choue thanked the university and noted the significance of receiving the degree at an institution that helped formalize taekwondo education in Uzbekistan, calling the country a fast-rising power in the sport with “a bright future” driven by young athletes.

Founded in 1955, the university has become a major training center for coaches and athletes in Central Asia. It has hosted a dedicated taekwondo program for more than a decade.