Queensland is set to host the inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games, which will see athletes with an intellectual impairment from New Zealand, Asia, and the Pacific come together to compete against Australia's elite para-athletes.
Up to 1000 athletes from over 25 nations are expected to descend on Brisbane from 5-11 November 2022, for the first international Virtus event in the region.
Taekwondo will be one of 11 sports contested at the games, following the successful establishment of Para Taekwondo Poomsae as a full-medal event at the Virtus Global Games in 2019.
Australian Taekwondo is pleased to be working with Sport Inclusion Australia to develop a competition pathway for Australian athletes with an intellectual impairment.
"We're really pleased to be working with Sport Inclusion Australia to develop pathways for Taekwondo athletes with an intellectual impairment to compete in this event,” said Heather Garriock, Chief Executive Offer for Australian Taekwondo.
Sport Inclusion Australia are the peak body for athletes with an intellectual impairment and host of the Games.
Para Taekwondo Poomsae has gradually been established at international events since a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Virtus and World Taekwondo during the 4th World Para Taekwondo Championships held in Lausanne in 2013.
The competition form has been growing rapidly ever since - both in Australia and around the world.
Further details about the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 will be released shortly.
Athletes will need to meet the Virtus International eligibility criteria to compete, which can be found at: www.sportinclusionaustralia.org.au/eligibility.
For more information about eligibility, please visit the Sport Inclusion Australia website or contact Kellie Keen on 03 5762 7494 (press 1).
Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 website.
Virtus Oceania Asia Games Facebook page.
To keep up to date with Taekwondo-specific details visit Australian Taekwondo.
