KCCI and Kukkiwon Northern India Branch to host first International Kukkiwon Taekwondo Competition

Korean Cultural Centre India, in collaboration with the Kukkiwon Northern India Branch and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), is set to host the International Kukkiwon Taekwondo Competition — the first such event to be held since the establishment of the Kukkiwon Northern India Branch. The championship marks a milestone in the growth and future of Taekwondo in India.

The opening ceremony will be graced by Hari Ranjan Rao, Director General of the Sports Authority of India; H.E. Lee Seong-ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, and Jeon Gap-gil, Chairman of Kukkiwon, along with distinguished guests.

This international competition comes at a crucial time, ahead of the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to identify and nurture promising Taekwondo athletes from India and other participating nations. It also reflects the ongoing collaboration between Korea and India in promoting sports, youth exchange, and cultural diplomacy.

The Kukkiwon Northern India Branch, as the official overseas branch of the World Taekwondo Headquarters Kukkiwon, was established to standardize Taekwondo education and examination systems within India, train Taekwondo instructors, and promote Kukkiwon spirit and philosophy throughout the country. It will support the development of Taekwondo in India through Kukkiwon certification programs, black belt examinations, instructor training, and various Taekwondo competitions.

The upcoming Taekwondo competition will feature four events: Kyorugi, Poomsae, Speed Kicks, and Breaking. Approximately 1,500 Taekwondo practitioners from elementary school students to adults will compete for medals in 306 Kyorugi categories and 33 Poomsae categories. To ensure fairness, over 100 referees were recruited through an open call from across India. Participants from countries such as Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka will also compete in the event.

Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Center India, said, “I hope this competition will not only inspire talented athletes but also deepen the friendship and cooperation between Korea and India through the spirit of Taekwondo.”