ITF 2024 in review

Dear ITF members,

As an eventful year draws to a close, it’s time to take a look back at some major events.

It is fair to say that the 9th World Cup in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from October 28 to November 2 was the outstanding event of 2024. Over 1 700 athletes and a total of around 3 000 participants speak for themselves. The organization in the hall can be classified as excellent and is due to the preparatory work of the various ITF Committees involved, especially the Tournament, Umpire and IT Committees, which met regularly in advance to prepare everything and coordinate with the Organizing Committee. This meant that the schedules could be adhered to almost down to the minute. The public presentation of the World Cup through the live stream at each ring area and the work of the Communication Committee in terms of reports and coverage also achieved a high quality and was at par to successes of Finland in 2023. My thanks go to everyone who contributed to this very successful championship.

A Historic moment in Mar del Plata

For the first time in the history of our organization, athletes with health impairments were able to show their skills at a World Cup as part of the ITF inclusion program, while a first test had already taken place at the Central and South American Championships in August. After meticulous preparation and the adoption of an appropriate set of rules, the athletes competed in the Tul categories on the penultimate day of the competition. Umpires, who were specially trained and selected, gave the evaluations. With outstanding performances, these athletes impressed and earned huge applause and recognition from the audience. Years of preparation for this project through courses and seminars and a demonstration at the European Championships in Poland this year have now borne well-deserved fruit. In this context, I would like to emphasize on the exceptional work of the Adapted Committee and the Umpire Committee.

New board member

Following the resignation of a Board member last fall, the vacant position had to be replaced and certain regulations had to be met with regard to the ITF Statutes and the Electoral Code. A new candidacy procedure was announced and sent to the member organizations. In the end, only one candidate applied for the vacant position, namely Master Niklas Enander from Sweden, who was confirmed by acclamation by the Congress in Mar del Plata on October 27, 2024. A warm welcome to Master Enander!

“Super Class” seminar

The Super Class Seminar, which was organized by the Women’s Committee and held via Zoom, once again showed the progress that girls and women have made in the ITF. Five top female athletes from three continents, with years of competition experience and successful participation in international competitions, showed their skills and inspired the participants. It should not go unmentioned that many men took part in this seminar. Incidentally, the proportion of women in our organization has risen from 32% after the elections in Inzell to 45% after the elections in Finland, which is also reflected in the standing committees. Here I can only add: “Keep up the good work”.

Development on the Continents

In Africa, our organization is growing steadily and has already achieved recognition by the relevant sports ministries in some countries as recently in Madagascar. With twenty member organizations, Africa is also showing the most consistent growth in membership.

Asia is now setting out to follow Africa’s example. Promising preparations have been made on the largest and most populous continent, the positive results of which will hopefully be confirmed in the near future. We are on the right track, especially now that the Asia Development Team has a new composition.

Looking to 2025

On April 11, 2025, it will be 70 years since General Choi Hong-Hi introduced his Taekwon-Do to the public. A special event is planned for this occasion and details will be presented shortly. Next year will also be the year of the World Championships in Croatia, which will be held from October 7 to 11, 2025, in Porec. After the World Cup 2024, the preparations for the World Championships 2025 started immediately.

Besides exciting ITF tournaments, we will continue to grow. In the number of athletes, in schools and on the national level. Our regional development teams will continue to support in our emerging regions, in Africa and Asia but also in the Caribbean. We are looking forward to exciting events in all regions.

As in the previous many years, the ITF will be here for its members. With administrative and technical support for our institutional members and even schools through improved processes and tools. And on the instructor and athlete level to continue to spread the legacy of the father of Taekwon-Do, Gen Choi Hong-Hi, in our big ITF family.

I wish you all and your families a restful holiday season and a successful, but most importantly, healthy year 2025.

Warm regards,
Grand Master Paul Weiler
ITF President