Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Academy (WTA) Wraps Up International Taekwondo Master Course for Foreigners

108 Participants from 32 Countries Worldwide… Cultivating Global Taekwondo Leaders Through Level-Specific, Customized Training

Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Academy (WTA) has successfully concluded the “2026 International Taekwondo Master Course for Foreigners (hereafter the Course).”

The eight-day Course (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Class), held at Kukkiwon from August 7 (Fri) to 14 (Fri), drew 108 participants from 32 countries (13 in Asia, 7 in Europe, 8 in the Pan-American region, 2 in Africa, and 2 in Oceania).

WTA holds the International Taekwondo Master Course for Foreigners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Class) every year to cultivate foreign instructors equipped with both professional Taekwondo expertise and strong character, and to disseminate standardized techniques.

In particular, as in the previous year, the 1st & 2nd Class, and 3rd Class Courses were operated separately this year to improve training efficiency.

The 1st and 2nd Class Course consisted of programs such as Taekwondo Practice and Character, Taekwondo Instruction Methods (Adults), Poomsae (color belt and black belt holders), Gyeorugi (sparring), Hosinsul (self-defense), and Breaking, while the 3rd Class Course consisted of programs such as Taekwondo Spirit and History, Taekwondo Practice and Character, Theory of Promotion Test, Basic Movement, Poomsae (color belt and black belt holders), Demonstration, Gyeorugi, Hosinsul, and Breaking.

The foreign instructors who took part in the Course also expressed their satisfaction with the program.

Liandro Santafe Pimentel (born 1970), who participated from Brazil, shared his thoughts, saying, “I first took part in the International Taekwondo Master Course in 2013, and that experience changed my everyday life,” adding, “I consider this course important because it goes beyond personal achievement—it allows me to share and spread the values of Taekwondo while bringing new opportunities to more people.”

Danny Garrett (born 1962), who participated from the United States, said, “I was very satisfied with the high-quality Taekwondo instruction, and it was a meaningful experience,” adding, “I hesitated to join because of an injury I sustained during my military service, but I’m glad I took on the challenge.”

Soomi Tomono (born 1980), who participated from Japan, said, “I have always loved Korea, so I have been consistently studying Korean and practicing Taekwondo,” adding, “I was delighted to receive direct instruction at Kukkiwon, and I was very satisfied to train in such a pleasant environment.”

At the completion ceremony held at the Kukkiwon Central Training Hall on August 14 (Fri), the final day of the Course, Ahn Jae-yun, Vice President of WTA, said in his closing address, “I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who traveled such a long way to Kukkiwon and diligently completed the training course,” adding, “I hope you will properly put into practice the knowledge and experience gained through this training in your respective countries.”

Meanwhile, WTA plans to conduct the “2026 Taekwondo Expert Training Program for Developing Countries,” a three-week program for Taekwondo leaders from developing countries, starting October 10 (Sat).