The Top Seven Taekwondo Tournaments In The World

Taekwondo tournaments are famous all over the world as they show the best martial arts skills and fitness. People from different cultures join these events where they compete in intense matches using precise kicks and cool moves.

1. World Taekwondo Championships

The World Taekwondo Championships which are held every two years are the best tournaments for taekwondo stars worldwide. It started in 1973 in South Korea in 17 countries which focused on traditional moves for men. Now, it is massive with 180+ countries, and also with women’s categories since 1987. By passing time the taekwondo tournaments are taking limelight. They added electronic scoring and safety gear which made it cooler and safer. Taekwondo being part of the 2000 Sydney Olympics made these championships even more easier and interesting. And now, it is not just a competition but also a deal for athletes aiming for the Olympics.

2. Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are considered one of the best taekwondo tournaments in the world, especially for the players but it is more than just a tournament. Taekwondo’s Olympic journey started in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea where it showed its cool moves as a demonstration sport. After Barcelona in 1992, taekwondo became famous worldwide, and then in 2000 in Sydney, it became a full-blown event with medals. Since then, it has been a permanent part of the Olympics, with changes like electronic scoring in 2012 to make things precise. 

3. Asian Taekwondo Championships

The Asian Taekwondo Championship is one of the best taekwondo tournaments in the world. It was started in 1973 and is known for the first taekwondo showdown that happened in Seoul, South Korea but only seven countries participated. This tournament is held every two years. The tournament got fancier in 1984 when the authorities added a new category called forms. By the 1990s, powerhouses like South Korea, China, and Iran were ruling the tournament. The 2000s brought tech upgrades with electronic scoring. Nowadays, the Asian Taekwondo Championships become one of the world’s biggest tournaments. Over 40 countries participate and show their skills in both sparring and forms.

Also Read: Taekwondo: History, Types, Rules, Equipment and More

4. European Taekwondo Championships

European Taekwondo is a part of taekwondo tournaments. In 1976, the first European Taekwondo Championships kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, and became a tournament that is held every two years, except in 2019. This tournament taekwondo showdown in Europe chooses the best athletes from across the world. The players must win the tournament as the winners are directly selected for the Olympics. Later, they added categories to include more athletes, and since 2004 they included poomsae. 

5. Pan America Taekwondo Championships

The Pan American Taekwondo Championships are a type of taekwondo tournament. It was started in 1978 in Mexico City and was all about competing for senior athletes. It comes under the Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU) which became a key event for Pan American nations. Earlier it was held every year but later to every two years in 1993 which gave athletes time for preparation. In 1996, it added forms of competitions that showed taekwondo. Then, it introduced divisions for younger athletes in 2000 and created a path for future players. In 2019, it included para taekwondo. It is a Grade 4 G-Tournament by World Taekwondo.

6. World Taekwondo Grand Prix

The World Taekwondo Grand Prix is a taekwondo tournament. It was started in 2013 as an idea from the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). It wanted a series of top-notch tournaments to decide who was the best for the Olympics. Unlike other tournaments, this tournament only focuses on Olympic weight categories. Since it was started in Manchester, UK. There used to be four Grand Prix events each year which led to a final. Iconic places like Rome, Chiba, and Moscow hosted some tournaments. But then, in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, it got canceled. However, in 2022 it made a successful comeback in Rome. There are four competitions for different weight categories, and it is a fierce single-elimination tournament. The top eight from each category go on to the final event. The points they earn in each Grand Prix add up creating an overall ranking. 

7. World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships

The World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships is a taekwondo tournament. It was started in 1982, in Seoul, South Korea, and had the first-ever championships which was only with solo performances and just 11 countries. It added team and synchronized events in 1987 and 1996 which made it more exciting. By 2019, over 130 countries were part of the action in Muju, South Korea. It also embraced tech by using electronic scoring since 2009 for accuracy.

Conclusion

Taekwondo tournaments are shows where people from all over the world come to show their skills, discipline, and good sportsmanship. People from different places meet, become friends, and compete in a friendly way, making Taekwondo even better and more famous worldwide.