In approximately 15 days, the iconic city ofRio de Janeirowill once again ignite the continental taekwondo scene. FromMay 7 to 10, 2026,Arena Carioca 1, in theOlympic Park,will be the epicenter of Pan American taekwondo, hosting thePan American Senior G4 Championship, Parataekwondo, Poomsae, and the Pan American Open for cadets, juniors, and under-21s,all part of a single week of high-impact competition. Brazilarrives as host and protagonist. TheCBTKDis at the head of the organizing committee, with the technical support of the Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) and (WT), and with a powerful narrative: competing at home, in an Olympic venue, after a growth cycle that has already established the country as a continental and world power. The atmosphere promises some highly anticipated matchups. In the-80 kg category, the duel everyone wants to see once again has a name on the line:Henrique Marques vs. CJ Nickolas. The Brazilian has recently established himself as one of the world's top fighters, while the American remains a leading figure in the division. Also competing in this category is ChileanJoaquín Churchill, who reachedNo. 3 in the world rankings for the -80 kg division, a historic achievement for Chile. In the women's -49 kgcategory,another chapter of continental tension could be on the cards:Andrea Ramírezof Colombia facesDaniela Souzaof Mexico , the 2022 world champion. Ramírez comes into the match strengthened after winning the2026 US Open, while Souza responded with gold at the2026 Canada Open. Mexico will also have a heavy eye onCarlos Sansores, a major figure in the +87 kg division, called upon to hold his own against rivals from theUnited States and Cuba, in a division where every fight seems like an early final. Riowill not only bring together established names. The Pan American Games week will also be a platform for the new generation: cadets, juniors, and under-21s will compete under World Tour rules, with seeding based on world rankings and a structure aimed at the continent's immediate future. Furthermore, in poomsae, we could witness the brilliance of MexicanWilliam Arroyoor Puerto RicanArelis Medina, both contenders for the Pan American title, along with GuatemalanMaria Higueros. The message is clear: the Americas are arriving in Rio with world and Olympic champions, rising stars, and fierce rivalries. Brazil will be more than just a host; it will be a judge, a participant, and a local powerhouse. And the Carioca Arena 1 is once again preparing to host a gathering of the best in the Americas. As a testament to its status as host nation and emerging power, Brazil arrives in Rio riding high on the momentum of a historic performance at the 2025 World Championships in Wuxi, where it achieved one of its best showings ever. There,Henrique Marquesbecame world champion in the -80 kg category—marking a milestone for Brazilian men's taekwondo—whileMaria Clara Pachecodid the same in the -57 kg category, solidifying the country's dominance in women's taekwondo. These two gold medals were complemented by silver medals fromEdival Pontes and Milena Titoneli, completing a tally that placed Brazil among the elite of the world medal standings and positions this generation as one of the most competitive on the continent heading into the Pan American Games. In this context, the Pan American Para taekwondo competition inRiois shaping up to be incredibly strong, with the presence—or at least the expectation—of the continent's top athletes who shone at theParis 2024 Paralympic Gamesand are now considered the ones to beat. Leading the pack is PeruvianLeonor Espinoza,Paralympic champion in the K44 -47 kg category and the undisputed leader in the division. Alongside her are MexicanLuis Mario Nájera,silver medalist in the K44 -80 kg category, and his compatriotJuan Diego García López,bronze medalist in the K44 -70 kg category, solidifying Mexico's position as one of the strongest teams. In that same category appears the ChileanJuan Eduardo Samorano,also a bronze medalist in Paris, while in the heavyweight division the AmericanEvan Medell(bronze in +80 kg) completes the group of elite contenders. Brazil, the host country, is not to be outdone and will present its top athletes: Among them isAna Carolina Silva de Moura,who qualifiedfor the Paris 2024 Paralympics in the K44 -65 kg category, marking a historic milestone for the country and confirming its status as a world leader in her division. Alongside her isDébora Menezes,a leading figure in the +65 kg category, established as one of the most consistent athletes on the international circuit. Maria Eduarda Machado and Débora Menezes, who have been world medalists and dominators of the recent Pan American circuit, reflecting the depth of the Brazilian team. In a broader sense of international experience, names likeCristhiane Neves —world medalist— and Leylianne Santos —regularPan American podium finisher and Grand Prix protagonist— complete a group that combines experience and competitiveness. If they appear at theCarioca Arena,Nathan Torquato, K44 -63 kg, and Silvana Fernandes,K44 -57 kg, both with experience and regularity on Paralympic podiums, could be key to Brazil's resultsin the Pan American Games This achievement also deserves institutional recognition: congratulations to the president of the CBTKD,Rivanaldo Freitas,its board of directors and the high-performance team led byHenrique Precioso and Juan Moreno,whose work and advice have been key to positioning Brazil as a comprehensive power in world taekwondo. https://mundotaekwondo.com/panamericanos-de-taekwondo-en-rio-la-reunion-de-los-mejores-de-america/

The 13th Turkish Open Taekwondo Tournament, organized by the Turkish Taekwondo Federation, will be held in Antalya between March 24-31, 2026, in the following disciplines: Kyorugi (Stars, Juniors, Seniors)(Stars 26-27 March 2026, Juniors 28-29 March 2026, Seniors 30-31 March 2026) Poomsae (All Categories)(March 24, 2026) Para Taekwondo Kyorugi(March 25, 2026) Para Taekwondo Poomsae(March 25, 2026) COMPETITION VENUE Antalya Sports Hall (10,000 Capacity Sports Hall) Address: Antalya Sports Hall, Meltem, 07030 Muratpaşa, Antalya / Turkey ***All technical and administrative aspects of the tournament are detailed in the official regulations prepared for each sport.*** Kyorgi Regulations Poomsae Regulations Para Kyorgi Regulations Para Poomsae Regulations Important Note *All clubs, coaches, and athletes are strongly advised to carefully review the regulations for their respective sport before participating in the tournament. *The athlete who takes first place in the 2026 Turkish Senior Taekwondo Championship and the athlete who takes first place in the Senior National Team Selection Trials in the senior category will participate in the tournament on behalf of the National Team. *Two athletes from among those participating in the World Junior Taekwondo Championship Selection Trials to be held on March 4, 2026, in the youth category, will represent the National Team at the said tournament. *The top two athletes in the 2026 Stars Championships will represent the national team at the tournament. *The top two finishers (ages 16 and over) at the 2026 Turkish Para Taekwondo (Kyorugi & Poomsae) Championship will compete in the tournament representing the national team. (In accordance with WT and ETU rules, only athletes aged 16 and over, which is the age limit applied in international competitions, will be able to compete in the tournament.) *In the 2026 Turkish Taekwondo Poomsae Championship, the athletes who take first place (excluding juniors) will participate in the tournament representing our national team. *The accommodation costs for our athletes representing the national team will be covered by our federation for 2 nights, and for our coaches for 3 nights. *All athleteswhowill participate in the tournamentCurrent international (year 2026) WT Licenseon their own responsibilityThe registration of athletes who will compete on behalf of the national team for the tournament will be handled by our Federation. Click here for the competition registration page. This is respectfully announced to the public. First release date: February 25, 2026

The city of Lommel will once again become the epicenter of international taekwondo on March 21 and 22, 2026, with the celebration of the prestigiousBelgian Taekwondo Open, organized byTaekwondo Vlaanderen,a championship that for more than five decades has consolidated this event under an unwavering concept of sporting and organizational excellence. Belgian open 2025 With over 50 years of history, theBelgian Openis more than just a competition; it's a must-attend event on the international calendar. Generations of athletes have graced its mats, many of whom have gone on to become European, World, and Olympic champions. Its continuity, technical rigor, and high level of competition have made this event a benchmark of quality within the international circuit. Each edition reaffirmsTaekwondo Vlaanderen 's commitmentto the professionalization of the sport, respect for the values ​​of taekwondo, and the hospitality that characterizesBelgiumas a sporting destination. National teams, elite clubs, and promising young athletes from across the continent will once again gather in Lommel to test their skills in a highly competitive environment.On behalf ofTaekwondo Vlaanderen, its president, Grand Master Moustapha Akkouh,expressed his deep gratitude to the global taekwondo community for its continued trust and participation: "Itis an honor for us to welcome the international taekwondo family back to Belgium once again. "For over 50 years, we have worked passionately to deliver an event of excellence, and we renew that commitment every year. We sincerely thank all the athletes, coaches, referees, and federations for their visit this coming March.”Grand Master Akkouhalsowished to highlight and express his gratitude for the repeated visits of World Taekwondo PresidentDr. Chungwon Choue,who has supported the event on several occasions, strengthening institutional ties and backing the continued growth of taekwondo inBelgium.“He will always be welcome.” REGISTER https://worldtkd.simplycompete.com/eventDetails/11f0eee4-b227-4eda-9f64-027be1645a55/1 https://mundotaekwondo.com/info-belgian-open-2025-here/

KPNP Announces Official Sponsorship of Thai Taekwondo Star Banlung Tubtimdang 3 September 2025 - KPNP, a global leader in taekwondo technology and performance gear, is proud to announce its official sponsorship of rising Thai taekwondo star Banlung Tubtimdang - one of the sport's most exciting young prospects on the international stage. At just Banlung has already made headlines, recently taking gold at the Grand Prix Challenger in Korea. With a growing list of achievements and a relentless commitment to excellence, he's fast becoming a key figure in Thailand's national team and a name to watch on the world stage. Talent. Drive. Precision. That's what caught the eye of KPNP. "Sponsoring Banlung reflects our commitment to supporting emerging talent and promoting taekwondo worldwide," said Mr In-Su Lee, spokesperson for KPNP. "We're proud to be part of his journey and to equip him with the very best in cutting-edge performance tech." As part of this exciting partnership, Banlung will compete using KPNP's full range of official gear - including electronic protectors, sensors, high-performance doboks and more — all engineered to meet the highest standards of quality and precision. Banlung shared his excitement: "It's an honour to join the KPNP family. Their gear gives me the extra edge and confidence to push harder at every competition." This sponsorship marks a new chapter for both Banlung and KPNP, strengthening the brand's presence in Southeast Asia and reinforcing its mission to empower athletes across the globe. news source: mundotaekwondo instagram