Online taekwondo poomsae championships attract athletes from 98 nations

Participants from Peru and the United States perform taekwondo poomsae in video entries submitted to World Taekwondo for the organization's first Online World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships. Courtesy of World Taekwondo

By Ko Dong-hwan

The first online taekwondo poomsae championships, held virtually to comply with social distancing measures amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, has drawn more than 1,500 avid trainees from 98 countries, proving the popularity of the martial art's new format.

The inaugural “1st Online World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships” reaches its final stages on Saturday when the “G2 Poomsae Championships” ― which is reserved for national athletes ― wraps up. Finalists from 30 countries have been competing in 12 recognized poomsae competitions. The freestyle category of the G2 competition involves finalists from 12 countries.

The “Open Pooamsae Championships,” the other category, invites individuals, as well as family members of all ages in groups of two or three. The Open finals involve 56 athletes from 17 countries whose performances will be revealed on Dec. 14-15.

All performances have been submitted as video entries and streamed on YouTube and the homepage of World Taekwondo, the host of the championships.

“We have been hugely inspired by these championships and enjoyed all kinds of taekwondo, from elite athletes under 30 years old to over 65, to taekwondo enthusiasts competing alongside grandparents and grandchildren,” World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said.

“These championships have helped define what an open and accessible sport taekwondo is. The finalists, no matter their results, have reminded us all that whatever your age, gender or skill level, anyone can remain active and have fun.”