Last month, the 2023 Seongnam World Taekwondo Hanmadang took place, attracting a team of Australian Taekwondo athletes who travelled to Korea to participate in this prestigious event.
Under the guidance of the Head of Team Dongmin Cha, the World Taekwondo Hanmadang is a festive occasion that unites Taekwondo practitioners from around the globe.
After the opening ceremony, the team enjoyed a warm welcome dinner and had the opportunity to tour the Kukkiwon, hosted by the Kukkiwon President, Grandmaster Lee Dong Sup.
Australia kicked off the competition with a strong start in the Individual Women's Poomsae category. Pich-chapha Tanakitcharoenpat (Eclipse Taekwondo) showcased an outstanding performance, scoring an impressive 7.95 overall and clinching a gold medal for herself and the team.
In the Men's Senior 3 Power Breaking, Rob McGregor (Taekwondo Broome) achieved a fantastic result by breaking eight out of 10 tiles, earning him a well-deserved silver medal.
Meanwhile, in the Senior 2 Power Breaking, David Alejandro Rodriguez Arango (Fastkix Martial Arts) delivered an excellent performance, breaking eight out of 12 tiles, and securing a 3rd place Bronze.
The Masters Individual Poomsae also witnessed an exceptional display by Master Barry Jordan (Eclipse Taekwondo), who secured a 3rd place bronze, further adding to Australia's achievements.
Dongmin Cha and Head Coach Barry Altanhan were brimming with pride for all the athletes who represented Australian Taekwondo at The 50th Anniversary of the World Taekwondo Hanmadang in Korea.
Special mention goes to Mr. Eshan and Mr. Murtaza for their outstanding performances at the World Taekwondo Hanmadang. Additionally, Barry Jordan was honoured to receive his bronze medal at the closing ceremony in the presence of Kukkiwon World Taekwondo President Lee Dong Sup.
Lastly, we extend our gratitude to Kukkiwon and Korea for their warm hospitality and unwavering support shown to the Australian team, making everyone feel welcome. Congratulations are also in order for the 4,753 athletes and 57 countries that participated, contributing to the success of this remarkable event.
