Opening of the 'Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships'

From Today, 1,613 Athletes from 129 Countries Compete for 6 Days
Mayor Yuk: "Chuncheon Will Fully Serve as the Global Center of Taekwondo"

The "Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships" kicked off with an opening ceremony on September 30th in Chuncheon City (Mayor Yuk Dong-han) and has entered a six-day competition starting today until October 6th.

The "Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships" held its opening ceremony at the Chuncheon City Air Dome on September 30 and entered a six-day competition from October 1 to 6.

First held in 1996 in Barcelona, Spain, the World Taekwondo Junior Championships is now celebrating its 14th edition. The event takes place at the Chuncheon Airdome Stadium from September 30th's opening ceremony through October 1st to 6th. A total of 1,613 athletes from 129 countries, including the United States, China, and T?rkiye, are participating.

Notably, this tournament is significant as it is being hosted domestically for the first time in 20 years. Additionally, it awards 40 ranking points for Olympic qualification, drawing intense interest from elite taekwondo athletes worldwide. As a junior competition, it is a very important event that offers a glimpse into the future of global taekwondo.

A scene from the opening ceremony of the 'Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships,' which embarked on a six-day journey starting October 1.

Chuncheon City has been consecutively hosting international taekwondo events this year. In July, it held the "Gangwon Chuncheon World Taekwondo Culture Festival" and the "Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships." Having successfully secured the headquarters of the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) last year, Chuncheon is expected to further establish itself as the global center of taekwondo and enhance its international recognition through the "Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships."

The opening ceremony held at the Chuncheon Airdome was attended by Choi Jung-won, President of the World Taekwondo Federation (WT), Yuk Dong-han, Mayor of Chuncheon, and Yang Jin-bang, President of the Korea Taekwondo Association, among others.

Following the ceremony, the WT Headquarters Establishment Declaration was held, announcing Chuncheon’s vision as the world taekwondo hub city: "Chuncheon will establish itself as an international sports hub, elevate the global status of taekwondo, and lead internationalization and future development."

Choi Jung-won, President of the World Taekwondo Federation (WT), stated, "Taekwondo spreads hope and dreams worldwide. Through this event, I hope participants make new friends, build friendships, and experience Korea’s rich culture, creating valuable life memories here in Chuncheon."

At the opening ceremony of the 'Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships' held on September 30, Yuk Dong-han, Mayor of Chuncheon, greets the athletes and spectators.

Yuk Dong-han, Mayor of Chuncheon, said, "Welcome to Korea, the birthplace of taekwondo, and Chuncheon, the future of world taekwondo. Those participating in this tournament will become stars of the 2028 LA Olympics," emphasizing, "Our Chuncheon, embracing world taekwondo, will fulfill its role as the global center of taekwondo."

Meanwhile, in connection with this tournament, the "1st Olympism and Peace Forum" will be held today at 2 p.m. at Kangwon National University’s 60th Anniversary Hall, themed on the 30th anniversary of taekwondo’s adoption as an Olympic sport and international Olympism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.