10/10/2026
The Guardians of Fair Play
Behind every match, every decision and every moment of trust stood an umpire.
At the ITF Taekwon-Do World Cup in Benidorm, our officials worked under demanding conditions, carrying the responsibility of the competition from the first bout to the last. Long hours, intense concentration, difficult decisions and the constant pressure of the competition area tested their knowledge, judgement and resilience.
They faced every challenge with professionalism and gave their very best to uphold the standards of a World Cup. Not every decision was easy. Some required a single moment of certainty; others demanded experience, courage and the ability to remain calm when the emotions around the mat were at their highest.
Like athletes, umpires develop through competition. Every event adds to their knowledge, sharpens their judgement and deepens their understanding of the rules, the techniques and the spirit of Taekwon-Do.
Benidorm was also an opportunity to bring officials from every continent together — to share experience, strengthen cooperation and raise the level of preparation and officiating across the ITF community. In this way, the World Cup was not only a test of the athletes, but also an important step in the continued development of our officials.
To every umpire, Umpire IT member and TUI Committee member: thank you for your discipline, commitment and perseverance.
Your work may often take place away from the spotlight, but it gives every athlete the confidence to compete, every coach the assurance of a serious contest and every result its meaning.
You did not simply judge the matches.
You helped protect the spirit of the World Cup.
ITF Umpire Committee
