HONG KONG, China (Dec 4, 2024) - The record-breaking World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Hong Kong, China concluded today with a further seven gold medals awarded, followed by a powerful Closing Ceremony.

 

For the last five days, a record 1,727 athletes from a record 77 Member National Associations (MNAs), plus Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), have showcased their talents at the Hong Kong Coliseum and demonstrated the growing global strength and popularity of Poomsae Taekwondo.

 

Korea topped the medal table for the 13^th consecutive World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, winning 17 golds, six silvers and two bronzes to earn the Best Team award.

 

There were also impressive results for the United States of America with eight golds, Chinese Taipei with four, and Vietnam and Iran with three apiece.

 

In total, 30 MNAs will leave Hong Kong, China having medalled at the World Championships.

 

On the final day of competition, the first gold medals went to USA in the Recognised Poomsae Female Team Over 60 and Korea in the Male Team Under 50.

 

Freestyle Poomsae events finished with golds for Chinese Taipei in the Mixed Team Under 17 and Korea in the Pair Over 17.

 

A successful final day for Chinese Taipei concluded with golds in the Recognised Poomsae Pair Under 30 and Pair Cadet events, and the day’s other winner provided Austria’s first gold medal of the Championships as Leni Niedermayr triumphed in the Female Under 65 category.

 

Individual and team honours were presented after the conclusion of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships.

 

India received the Active Participation Prize, while Myanmar were winners of the Good Fighting Spirit Prize having clinched their first-ever World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships medal in the Recognised Poomsae Pair Under 50.

 

World Taekwondo expresses its gratitude to all the referees and officials who contributed to the success of the event, with China’s Tai Yu and Finland’s Tatu Livanainen receiving the Best Referee honours.

 

Athletes and coaches were also rewarded for their achievements.

 

In Recognised Poomsae, China’s Under 30 world champion Yuxiang Zhu was named the Male MVP, and Korea’s Under 30 gold medallist Jooyeong Lee the Female MVP.

 

There was a Korean double in the Freestyle Poomsae MVP awards, with Individual Under 17 world champion Jaeyoung Byeon claiming the male accolade and Individual Over 17 gold medallist Ye Eun Cha the female prize.

 

Korea’s Hyun-chang Shin and Jaeyoung Eum received the Best Coach award for Male Team and Female Team respectively.

 

The awarding ceremony was followed by the Closing Ceremony, where World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue thanked the Hong Kong, China Taekwondo Association as well as local authorities for organising the event to the highest standard.

 

“What an exceptional past five days of the largest ever World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships it has been in Hong Kong, China. I wish to congratulate the MNAs who have achieved a medal. Your athletes have proven themselves as the best in the world,” President Choue said.

 

“To the many others who did not medal, you now have a goal to aim for, so continue with your dream and turn it into reality.

“Just as importantly, I hope that you have reunited with old friends, made new ones, and bring home with you wonderful memories of our host city.”

 

The next World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships will be held in 2026, with the host to be allocated during the World Taekwondo Council meeting at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah, UAE in May 2025.

 

Tonight, World Taekwondo will celebrate achievements from throughout the year with the World Taekwondo 2024 Gala Awards.