National taekwondo championship to be held in Delhi

As part of the Indo-Korean 40 diplomatic year celebrations, the Korean Cultural Centre India will hold the first edition of “Korean Ambassador’s Kukkiwon Cup-India Open National Taekwondo Championship 2013” at the Talkatora Stadium here from October 4 to 6.

Interestingly, this national level taekwondo championship seeks to popularise martial arts in the country. It will be open to all and promises to be a wonderful amalgamation of Korean and Indian culture and a treat for all sports enthusiasts.

Korean Cultural Centre director Kim Kum Pyoung heads the championship.

A martial art originating in Korea, taekwondo combines combat and self-defence techniques with sport and exercise. In 1989, taekwondo was the world’s most popular martial art. In Korean,

tae means "to strike or break with foot", kwon means "to strike or break with fist" and do means "way", "method", or "path". Thus, taekwondo may be translated as "the way of the foot and the hand”.

More than 1,000 athletes are expected to compete at this event and show their skills in this ancient Korean martial art. Registrations are open for all clubs. In juniors, black belts and colour belts, and in seniors, only black belts would be able to compete in the event.

“This championship is an attempt to provide athletes and the coaches an international experience here in India. Along with providing the improved facilities for both the athletes and the referees, we have tried to introduce the latest features in the event, in terms of updated rules as per the World Taekwondo Federation. I would like to invite all taekwondo players from across the nation to join us this October at the festival and play as one united taekwondo family. My best wishes to the citizens of both the nations on this momentous occasion of celebrating the 40th anniversary,” said grandmaster Lee Jeonghee, Kukkiwon-World Taekwondo Headquarters grandmaster and Sports General Manager at Korean Cultural Centre India.