International Taekwon-Do Federation

12 countries, 34 incredible athletes, and millions of hearts cheering them on.
This is the 3rd ITF Adapted Taekwon-Do World Cup 2026 in Benidorm, Spain — a celebration of courage, determination, and the power of inclusion.
General Choi Hong Hi made it clear: “Taekwon-Do is for everyone.” His life’s work and the martial art he created know no boundaries between people. Taekwon-Do does not divide us according to our abilities, characteristics, or differences. Instead, it gives every person the opportunity to learn, grow, challenge themselves, and discover their own strength.
We are all equal before Taekwon-Do. At the same time, each of us is unique. We all have different characteristics, experiences, abilities, and ways of expressing ourselves. These differences do not separate us — they make our Taekwon-Do community stronger, richer, and more human.
The International Taekwon-Do Federation is proud to stand behind and cheer for all 34 athletes with disabilities taking part in this extraordinary event. Their presence reminds us that true inclusion is not about lowering expectations, but about creating the conditions in which every athlete can show their potential with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity.
Every performance matters. Every effort inspires. Every athlete contributes to the future of Taekwon-Do.
One art. One community. Many unique journeys. Taekwon-Do is for everyone.

12 países, 34 atletas increíbles y millones de corazones animándolos.

Esta es la 3.ª Copa Mundial de Taekwon-Do Adaptado de la ITF 2026: una celebración del coraje, la determinación y el poder de la inclusión.

El General Choi Hong Hi lo dejó claro: «El Taekwon-Do es para todos». Su legado y el arte marcial que creó no reconocen fronteras entre las personas. El Taekwon-Do no nos divide por nuestras capacidades, características o diferencias. Al contrario, ofrece a cada persona la oportunidad de aprender, crecer, superarse y descubrir su propia fuerza.

Todos somos iguales ante el Taekwon-Do. Al mismo tiempo, cada uno de nosotros es único. Tenemos diferentes características, experiencias, capacidades y formas de expresarnos. Estas diferencias no nos separan: hacen que nuestra comunidad de Taekwon-Do sea más fuerte, más diversa y más humana.

La International Taekwon-Do Federation se enorgullece de apoyar y animar a los 34 atletas con discapacidad que participan en este extraordinario evento. Su presencia nos recuerda que la verdadera inclusión no consiste en reducir las expectativas, sino en crear las condiciones para que cada atleta pueda demostrar su potencial con dignidad, respeto e igualdad de oportunidades.

Cada actuación importa. Cada esfuerzo inspira. Cada atleta contribuye al futuro del Taekwon-Do.

Un arte. Una comunidad. Muchas historias únicas. El Taekwon-Do es para todos.

📷 Raimon Bjørndalen

The International Taekwon-Do Federation will hold its 9th General Assembly on Monday, September 28, 2026, in Benidorm, Spain, on the eve of the ITF World Cup 2026. The General Assembly brings together representatives of ITF Member Associations to review the federation’s work and take important decisions for its future. With a comprehensive agenda covering governance, finances, committee activities, and future major events, several key matters will be discussed.
The Assembly will receive the report of the Secretary General as well as reports from the ITF committees on their activities and work over the past period. The President will also address the Assembly, providing an overview of the federation’s current development and priorities for the future. Together, these reports give Member Associations an opportunity to review the work carried out across the federation. Not all of the past work wasalways in a spotlight and the reports give a chance to get the full picture.

A glimpse on the most exciting items on the agenda:
1) One of the key decisions will be the by-election of a Member-at-Large of the ITF Board of Directors. Further information about the candidates and the election process is available on the dedicated election page: https://itftkd.sport/elections-26/

2) The Assembly will consider the ITF financial report and the proposed budget for 2027. The financial report provides an overview of the federation’s financial activities, while the budget sets out the financial framework for the coming year and supports the ITF’s ongoing programmes and development.

3) Another important item will be the consideration of amendments to the ITF Statutes. The Statutes provide the foundation for the governance and organisation of the federation. The proposed changes will be presented to the Assembly for discussion and decision.

4) Looking further ahead, Member Associations will also consider applications to host future ITF major events. The agenda includes applications for the 2029 and 2031 ITF World Championships, as well as the 2028 and 2030 ITF World Cups. These decisions will determine the locations of several major ITF events in the coming years.

The General Assembly provides Member Associations with an important forum to review the federation’s activities and participate in decisions affecting its future. Taking place immediately before the World Cup, the 2026 Assembly will bring representatives from across the ITF together in Benidorm for an important week of competition, meetings and international cooperation.

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La Federación Internacional de Taekwon-Do celebrará su 9.ª Asamblea General el lunes 28 de septiembre de 2026 en Benidorm, España, en la víspera de la Copa Mundial de la ITF 2026. La Asamblea General reúne a representantes de las Asociaciones Miembro de la ITF para revisar el trabajo de la federación y tomar decisiones importantes sobre su futuro. Con un amplio orden del día que abarca la gobernanza, las finanzas, las actividades de los comités y los próximos grandes eventos, se debatirán varios asuntos clave.

La Asamblea recibirá el informe del Secretario General, así como los informes de los comités de la ITF sobre sus actividades y el trabajo realizado durante el período anterior. El Presidente también se dirigirá a la Asamblea para ofrecer una visión general del desarrollo actual de la federación y de sus prioridades para el futuro. En conjunto, estos informes brindan a las Asociaciones Miembro la oportunidad de revisar el trabajo realizado en toda la federación. No todo el trabajo llevado a cabo en el pasado estuvo siempre en el centro de atención, por lo que estos informes permitirán obtener una visión completa.

Una mirada a algunos de los puntos más interesantes del orden del día:

Una de las decisiones clave será la elección parcial de un miembro no vinculado a una circunscripción específica del Consejo de Administración de la ITF. Puede consultarse más información sobre los candidatos y el proceso electoral en la página dedicada a las elecciones: https://itftkd.sport/elections-26/

La Asamblea examinará el informe financiero de la ITF y el presupuesto propuesto para 2027. El informe financiero ofrece una visión general de las actividades financieras de la federación, mientras que el presupuesto establece el marco financiero para el próximo año y respalda los programas y el desarrollo continuos de la ITF.

Otro punto importante será el examen de las enmiendas a los Estatutos de la ITF. Los Estatutos constituyen la base de la gobernanza y la organización de la federación. Los cambios propuestos se presentarán a la Asamblea para su debate y aprobación.

De cara al futuro, las Asociaciones Miembro también examinarán las candidaturas para organizar los próximos grandes eventos de la ITF. El orden del día incluye las candidaturas para los Campeonatos Mundiales de la ITF de 2029 y 2031, así como para las Copas Mundiales de la ITF de 2028 y 2030. Estas decisiones determinarán las sedes de varios grandes eventos de la ITF durante los próximos años.

La Asamblea General ofrece a las Asociaciones Miembro un foro importante para revisar las actividades de la federación y participar en las decisiones que afectan a su futuro. Al celebrarse inmediatamente antes de la Copa Mundial, la Asamblea de 2026 reunirá en Benidorm a representantes de toda la ITF durante una semana importante de competición, reuniones y cooperación internacional.

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https://itftkd.sport/blog/itf-general-assembly-2026-for-the-federations-future/

Congratulations to Grand Master Mahesh Bhana of International Taekwon-Do New Zealand on his promotion to IX Dan on 27 August 2026.

Beginning his Taekwon-Do journey in 1982 at the Pakuranga Taekwon-Do School in Auckland, Grand Master Bhana was promoted to 1st Dan by Master Young Ku Yun in 1986. He later had the honour of attending several International Instructor Courses conducted by General Choi Hong Hi, including courses in Auckland in 1991, 1993 and 1996. In 1991, he was promoted to 3rd Dan by Master Charles E. Sereff in the presence of General Choi Hong Hi.

For more than three decades, Grand Master Bhana has led Eastern ITF Taekwon-Do Pakuranga, serving as its Head Instructor and Director since 1997. He has also held numerous leadership positions, including Board Director of ITFNZ, a role he served in from the organisation’s establishment in 2008 until 2022, and Board Director of the Oceania Taekwon-Do Federation since 2001.

An ITF International Instructor, current ‘A’ Grade Umpire and Master Examiner, Grand Master Bhana has contributed extensively to instructor development, senior Dan training, examinations, coaching, selections and tournament officiating. He has served as Jury President at ITF World Championships and the 2018 ITF World Cup, as well as representing New Zealand at several ITF Congresses.

His outstanding contribution has been recognised with the ITFNZ Life Member Award, the ITFNZ 25 Years Award for Loyalty and Contribution, and induction into the New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the Australasian Martial Arts and World Karate Union Hall of Fame.

We sincerely congratulate Grand Master Mahesh Bhana on this prestigious and well-deserved achievement and wish him continued success in his teaching, leadership and service to ITF Taekwon-Do.

Congratulations to Grand Master Richard Lajeunesse of the Canadian Taekwon-Do Federation International on his promotion to IX Dan on 27 August 2026.

With more than 47 years of experience teaching ITF Taekwon-Do, Grand Master Lajeunesse has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the art in Canada and internationally. Since 1979, he has served as an instructor and technical director in several Canadian clubs and institutions, including Cégep André-Laurendeau, Collège d’Anjou and the Verdun Taekwon-Do Club.

A former President of the Quebec International Taekwon-Do Federation, current President and Board Member of ITF Quebec Quadrathlon, and member of the CTFI Communications Committee, he has combined his Taekwon-Do experience with his academic career in communication at the Université du Québec à Montréal.

His work also extends to research, education and psychosocial intervention through martial arts. He has published on martial culture and identity development, participated in international conferences, taught seminars in Canada, France and Switzerland, and contributed as a guest instructor to General Choi Hong Hi’s Legacy CD-ROM project.

A bronze medallist at the 4th ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships in Glasgow in 1984, Grand Master Lajeunesse has dedicated decades to teaching, research, leadership and the promotion of the values of ITF Taekwon-Do.

We sincerely congratulate Grand Master Richard Lajeunesse on this prestigious and well-deserved achievement and wish him continued success in his teaching, research and service to Taekwon-Do.

Congratulations to Grand Master Kim Anderson of ITF England on his promotion to IX Dan by the International Taekwon-Do Federation on 28 May 2026.

Grand Master Anderson began his Taekwon-Do journey on 7 August 1974 under his first instructor, Jeff Yong, and later continued his development under the guidance of Master Rhee Ki Ha. Throughout his career, he also had the opportunity to attend International Instructor Courses with General Choi Hong Hi and Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha. The teachings of General Choi, together with his Encyclopaedias, played an important role in Grand Master Anderson’s technical and personal development.

After more than 50 years in Taekwon-Do, Grand Master Anderson has served as Chair of the UKTF and Vice President of ITF England. He has also worked as an instructor, examiner, umpire and Jury President, while hosting and supporting national championships, instructor and umpire courses, seminars and black-belt gradings.

His lifelong commitment to teaching, leadership and the promotion of the values, etiquette and Do of ITF Taekwon-Do has made a lasting contribution to the Taekwon-Do community in England and beyond.

We sincerely congratulate Grand Master Kim Anderson on this prestigious and well-deserved achievement and wish him continued success in his teaching and service to Taekwon-Do.

💜 REPRESENTATION MATTERS
One of the most significant findings from the survey was that 64% of respondents believe female instructors attract more female students.
Why does this matter?,
Throughout the survey, women spoke about the importance of visibility, mentorship and seeing people they can relate to in leadership and instructional roles. For many students, having a female instructor provides a role model, builds confidence and creates a sense of belonging within the dojang.
Representation is not about replacing opportunities—it is about expanding them. When students see diverse leaders, they are more likely to believe that they too can succeed, teach, lead and contribute to the future of Taekwon-Do.
As one respondent noted, female instructors are important because young girls can "see themselves in those they look up to."
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LA REPRESENTACIÓN IMPORTA
Uno de los hallazgos más significativos de la encuesta fue que el 64% de las participantes cree que las instructoras atraen a más estudiantes mujeres.
¿Por qué es esto importante?
A lo largo de la encuesta, las mujeres hablaron sobre la importancia de la visibilidad, la mentoría y el hecho de ver a personas con las que puedan identificarse en roles de liderazgo e instrucción. Para muchos estudiantes, contar con una instructora les brinda un modelo a seguir, genera confianza y crea un sentido de pertenencia dentro del dojang.
La representación no se trata de reemplazar oportunidades, sino de expandirlas. Cuando los estudiantes ven líderes diversos, es más probable que crean que ellos también pueden tener éxito, enseñar, liderar y contribuir al futuro del Taekwon-Do.
Como señaló una de las participantes, las instructoras son importantes para que las niñas puedan "verse reflejadas en las personas a las que admiran".

💜 THE CHALLENGES WE FACE
While many women shared positive experiences as instructors, common challenges emerged regardless of country, rank or years of experience.
Many respondents spoke about balancing family, work and teaching responsibilities, while others highlighted the need for stronger mentorship networks, greater visibility and more opportunities to grow as leaders within the organization.
Several women also noted that access to training, travel, and professional development can be difficult while managing careers, family commitments and other responsibilities.
Despite these challenges, the overwhelming majority indicated they plan to continue teaching and would encourage other women to become instructors—demonstrating the resilience, dedication and passion of women throughout the ITF.
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LOS DESAFÍOS QUE ENFRENTAMOS
Aunque muchas mujeres compartieron experiencias positivas como instructoras, surgieron desafíos comunes independientemente del país, la graduación o los años de experiencia.
Muchas participantes hablaron de equilibrar las responsabilidades de la familia, el trabajo y la enseñanza, mientras que otras destacaron la necesidad de contar con redes de acompañamiento más sólidas, una mayor visibilidad y más oportunidades para crecer como líderes dentro de la organización.
Varias mujeres también señalaron que el acceso a la capacitación, los viajes y el desarrollo profesional puede ser difícil mientras gestionan sus carreras, compromisos familiares y otras responsabilidades.
A pesar de estos desafíos, la gran mayoría indicó que planea seguir enseñando y que alentaría a otras mujeres a convertirse en instructoras, lo que demuestra la resiliencia, dedicación y pasión de las mujeres en toda la ITF.

🔥 WORLD CUP 2026 – WE KEEP MAKING HISTORY!

With registration still open until 27 August, the numbers for the World Cup 2026 in Benidorm, Spain, continue to grow:

🌍 51 countries
🥋 2,231 athletes
👥 609 coaches
⚖️ 111 umpires
🎟️ 226 officials & supporters
📊 4,608 total registrations

Benidorm 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the biggest ITF World Cups in history. This is no longer a promise — it is a reality.

There is still time to be part of an unforgettable international Taekwon-Do experience.

📅 Registration closes: 27 August 2026
📍 Benidorm, Spain | 28 September – 4 October 2026

Will you be part of history?

🔥 See you in Benidorm!

🥋 2,000+ athletes are already registered for the World Cup 2026!

Are you one of them? Or even a coach? Then make sure you know everything for a fair and clean competition.

⏰ Less than two days to go! Join the ITF Medical and Anti-Doping Committee for a free online session on Anti-Doping Processes & Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE).

💊 What should you know about medication?
📋 When do you need a TUE?
⚖️ What are your responsibilities as an athlete?

🇪🇸 Spanish: 22 August, 1:00 pm UTC
🇬🇧 English: 22 August, 5:00 pm UTC

👉 Register now — it's free!
https://itftkd.sport/event/itf-webinar-anti-doping-processes-and-tue/