World Taekwondo

World Taekwondo
Name	World Taekwondo
Caption	Logo of World Taekwondo
Abbreviation	WT
Formed	1973
Type	International sports federation
Headquarters	Seoul
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	National taekwondo associations
Leader title	President
Leader name	Choue Chung-won

World Taekwondo is the international federation recognized for overseeing the sport of taekwondo and organizing global competitions. It serves as the governing body that codifies competition rules, sanctions continental unions, and liaises with multisport events and organizations. The federation interacts with national associations, Olympic bodies, and sporting institutions to promote taekwondo practice, athlete development, and referee education.

History

The federation was founded in 1973 in Seoul by leaders from national associations including delegates from South Korea, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Australia and Japan to unify disparate schools and styles such as Jidokwan, Chungdokwan, Moo Duk Kwan, Songahm Taekwondo and practitioners like Choi Hong-hi and Hwang Kee had earlier influenced the art. Early organizational efforts involved coordination with sporting bodies such as the International Olympic Committee, International Taekwon-Do Federation, Asian Taekwondo Union, European Taekwondo Union and continental groups in Africa, Pan America and Oceania. Recognition by the International Olympic Committee culminated in taekwondo’s debut as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and its elevation to full medal status at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Leadership transitions included presidents and executives who negotiated with entities like the World Anti-Doping Agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and national governments to expand global reach into countries including Brazil, Mexico, Iran, Turkey, Russia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba and United Arab Emirates.

Organization and Governance

The federation’s governance structure includes an executive board, a president, a council, and commissions that coordinate with continental unions such as the Asian Taekwondo Union, European Taekwondo Union, Pan American Taekwondo Union, African Taekwondo Union and Oceania Taekwondo Union. Key leadership figures like Choue Chung-won have worked alongside directors and committees interfacing with organizations including the International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Commonwealth Games Federation, and national Olympic committees from United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, British Olympic Association, Korea Olympic Committee, Japanese Olympic Committee and Chinese Olympic Committee. The membership comprises national associations such as the Kukkiwon, USA Taekwondo, British Taekwondo, Taekwondo Canada, Taekwondo Australia, Taekwondo Spain and Taekwondo Iran. Administrative operations are influenced by legal frameworks in South Korea, partnerships with education entities like Yonsei University, and collaborations with agencies such as UNICEF and World Health Organization for outreach projects.

Rules and Competition Format

Rule-making bodies within the federation have developed competition formats for sparring (kyorugi) and patterns (poomsae) used at events like the World Taekwondo Championships and the Olympic Games. Scoring systems have evolved through technology providers and partners including Vision Gate, Daedo, SCORE}} manufacturers and collaborations with companies serving Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016. Weight classes mirror standards applied by continental unions and national federations with divisions referenced at the World Taekwondo Championships, Grand Prix and [(note: actual branded events follow federation naming)]. Officials and referees are certified through courses overseen by technical committees, often involving instructors and examiners from Kukkiwon, International Coaching Council, and universities such as Seoul National University and Korea University. Anti-doping rules align with the World Anti-Doping Agency code and testing protocols used at multisport arenas like Olympic Stadium venues, while athlete eligibility and classification intersect with bodies such as the International Paralympic Committee for para-taekwondo events.

Major Events and Championships

Major events organized include the World Taekwondo Championships, World Taekwondo Grand Prix, World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, World Taekwondo Beach Championships, and synchronized competitions that feed into qualification pathways for the Summer Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, and the Universiade. Continental championships such as the European Taekwondo Championships, Asian Taekwondo Championships, Pan American Taekwondo Championships and African Taekwondo Championships are integral. The federation also sanctions multi-stage circuits and regional opens in cities like Seoul, Beijing, Istanbul, Tehran, Madrid, Tokyo, Moscow, Los Angeles, New York City, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, Doha, Dubai, Bangkok and Jakarta.

Development, Education, and Outreach

The federation administers coach education, referee certification, athlete development programs, and youth initiatives in partnership with organizations such as Kukkiwon, International Olympic Committee, UNICEF, World Health Organization, Asian Development Bank, and national ministries of sport in South Korea, China, United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia and Japan. Development projects target grassroots growth in nations including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Uganda, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Educational content includes curricula for dojangs, instructor seminars, and digital courses produced in collaboration with institutions like Yonsei University, Kukkiwon, and sports science centers tied to Seoul National University and Korea University.

Controversies and Criticism

The federation has faced disputes involving governance, judging decisions, disciplinary actions, and athlete eligibility that drew attention from media outlets in South Korea, United States, United Kingdom, Spain and Australia. High-profile controversies have intersected with other entities including the International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, national Olympic committees, and legal bodies in cases involving officials, athletes, and referees from countries such as Iran, Turkey, Russia, China and United States. Criticism has addressed judging transparency at events like the World Taekwondo Championships and Olympic Games, fee structures for national federations, and governance reforms advocated by stakeholders including continental unions, national associations like USA Taekwondo and British Taekwondo, and athlete commissions.

Category:Taekwondo