We successfully overcame many challenges in 2015.

Let me list a few accomplishments.

 

We initiated the PATU Intercontinental Coach Certification to educate coaches. The PATU Intercontinental Coach Certification is now mandatory for all Cadet,
Junior, Senior and Poomsae coaches. WTF is planning to initialize WTF coaching certification with PATU in 2016.

 

We completed 10 WTF G-ranked events, along with the Pan Am Cadet and Junior Championships, Pan Am Club Championships, South American Championships, Pan Am Games Qualification Tournament, and of course, our bi-annual PATU General Assembly.

 

Prior to the Argentina Open, PATU signed an agreement with the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) to be an official member of the APC and include para-taekwondo in the 2019 Para-Pan Am Games. In July, we celebrated one of the best ever Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada. At the Grand Prix Finals, PATU qualified five athletes for Rio 2016. We also have four from Brazil, the host nation. And at year end, the Mexican Federation organized the WTF Grand Prix finals WTF Gala Awards.

 

Our continued communication with PASO/ODEPA and the Lima, Peru Organizing Committee for 2019 Pan Am Games initiated the inclusion of poomsae and para-taekwondo in 2019. PATU is also making strong efforts to increase our kyorugi competitions to five weight categories in 2019.

 

In 2016, the Pan Am Olympic Qualification Tournament will be held in March in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

 

I urge all MNAs to start their preparations for this tournament immediately. As a team, I am very confident that PATU can achieve many new goals.

 

Sincerely,
Ji-ho Choi
President, Pan American Taekwondo Union