AMMAN, Jordan (Nov. 5, 2023) – The Humanitarian Taekwondo Center in Jordan’s Azraq Refugee Camp passed a major landmark after a grading examination on Nov. 4.

 

Seven kyu grades were promoted to dan grades on that day, taking the Taekwondo Center’s number of black belts past the 100 mark.

 

The Humanitarian Taekwondo Center was established in Azraq in 2016, and has been constantly expanded and updated. It is funded by WT’s non-profit arm, the Lausanne-based Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF).

 

Of 14 Taekwondo players who hold IOC Scholarships for Refugee Athletes for Paris 2024, two are from Azraq camp.

 

The THF has been widely admired and held up as a benchmark for other sports.

 

In October, WT and the THF were awarded the “Combat Sport Initiative of the Year” at the Peace and Sport Awards 2023 in recognition of their impactful work in supporting underprivileged communities globally.

 

Also in October, during an IOC session in Mumbai, India, a video of Humanitarian Taekwondo Center training and activities was played during the presentation of the Olympic Refuge Foundation report. IOC President Thomas Bach said, “You saw with Taekwondo they’re playing a leading role in all these efforts from the very beginning. “