World Taekwondo President awards Leonz Eder honorary 8th Dan

Dr. Chungwon Choue decorated the International University Sports Federation President in recognition of his unwavering support for taekwondo in university sports.

FISU President Leonz Eder as well as a delegation from the International University Sports Federation travelled to Korea for an impressive immersion in the world of taekwondo. With first a reception and award at the World Taekwondo headquarters in Seoul, followed by the Daegu 2024 World University Taekwondo Festival – with more than 50 countries participating – and finally the opening of the Conference in Muju at the famous Taekwondon.

World Taekwondo and FISU have long enjoyed a fruitful relationship. Taekwondo debuted at the FISU World University Games as an optional sport at Daegu 2003, following a decision of the FISU Executive Committee at its meeting in Beijing in July 2000. It also appeared at the following four editions as an optional sport.

Ties between World Taekwondo and FISU were further strengthened in November 2009, when the FISU Executive Committee voted at a meeting in Erzurum (Turkey) for taekwondo to become a compulsory sport at the FISU World University Games, effective from Taipei 2017. Taekwondo has remained part of the official programme ever since thanks to the ongoing close collaboration between both organisations.

President Chungwon Choue hailed the strength of World Taekwondo’s relationship with FISU: “I am very happy to present an honorary black belt to President Eder in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Taekwondo. World Taekwondo and FISU have enjoyed a strong relationship for many decades. We look forward to building on this relationship in the years ahead.”

President Leonz Eder commented: “It is an honor to receive an honorary taekwondo black belt. Taekwondo is a very important sport for FISU. FISU will continue to cooperate closely with World Taekwondo and ensure as many students as possible benefit from this great sport.” He added that Para Taekwondo would be included in the 2027 Chungcheong Summer World University Games.

In attendance at the ceremony were Mr. Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General, Dr. Kim Chong-Yang, chairman of the board of trusteeds of Hanyang University, Dr. You Byung-Jin, president of Myongji University, Dr. Chang Hosung, Executive Committee Member of FISU and chairman of the Board of Dankook University, Dr. Russell Ahn, FISU Taekwondo Technical Committee Chair and Mr. Jung Kook-hyun, World Taekwondo Council Members, Mr. Jeongkang Seo, World Taekwondo Secretary General.

Following the award ceremony, President Eder attended the Opening Ceremony of the Daegu 2024 World University Taekwondo Festival. The Festival at Keimyung University Seongseo Campus, with 737 athletes from 56 countries, included two days of Kyorugi competition, followed by Poomsae events on Sunday 7 July.

An important moment of the visit was the opening of the Conference in Muju, in the unique Taekwondon. The World Taekwondo Heritage “Taekwondowon” is the largest training space in the world for taekwondo. Korea’s proud cultural heritage resides in Taekwondowon, which has now become a new pilgrimage destination for international taekwondo practitioners.

Written by Thérèse Courvoisier