The Moreton Bay region is set to host a trio of prestigious Taekwondo events in July, marking the much-anticipated return of international Taekwondo competitions to Australia. The Oceania Open Poomsae Championships, the World Taekwondo President’s Cup (Oceania), and the Australian Open are being hosted by Australian Taekwondo and supported by the Moreton Bay Council. These three events will take place at the Morayfield Sport and Events Centre from July 7 to 9, and are open to athletes from World Taekwondo’s 212 Member National Associations, with each event carrying world ranking points.

President of the Oceania Taekwondo Union, John Kotsifas, is pleased to see international events return to Australia, the first since the global pandemic halted world sport.

“We are pleased to see Australia host these events in 2023 and look forward to having these events conducted annually in Australia and seeing them become popular on the international calendar.”

“It is critical for the development of our Oceania athletes to have access to elite international competitions. These events will bring some of the world’s best Taekwondo athletes, including Para athletes, to Australia. Athletes who attend will be hoping to gain significant world ranking points.”

The events are open to the world’s elite black belts, with event disciplines across the three events including Kyorugi (Sparring), Para-Kyorugi (Sparring), and Poomsae (Patterns). Athletes from ages 12 to 60+ years are eligible to participate. These events are a great way to experience the diversity and inclusiveness of competitive Taekwondo, and to see the health and wellness benefits it delivers.

Australian Taekwondo’s Chief Executive Officer, Heather Garriock, expressed her gratitude to the Moreton Bay Council for their support in bringing international Taekwondo events to the Moreton Bay Region, and for their enthusiasm in delivering sporting event opportunities and economic benefits to the area. Garriock acknowledged the support of World Taekwondo and the Oceania Taekwondo Union in delivering world-ranked events in Australia, and noted that the event schedule showcases both sides of Taekwondo, the sport, and the martial art, together with the tenets of Taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery expressed his delight in hosting the Oceania Open Poomsae Championships, the World Taekwondo President’s Cup (Oceania), and the Australian Open at the Morayfield Sport and Events Centre from 7-9 July, and said that the Council’s major event sponsorship program secured these events for the region. The events will generate an estimated economic impact of $1.3 million of additional spend, and will boost local businesses by generating significant visitation from out-of-region participants and visitors.

With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, the World Taekwondo President’s Cup (Oceania), and the Australian Open will be mandatory events for senior Australian Taekwondo Kyorugi athletes vying for Australia’s 2024 Olympic Team. Kotsifas highlighted that Oceania athletes will get the experience they need against some of the world’s top athletes as they prepare for Olympic selection, which makes coming to Queensland a great opportunity for them.

In conjunction with the international competitions, a National team will also be selected for the upcoming Cadet World Championships (Kyorugi) in Bosnia and Herzegovina in August. The Oceania Open Poomsae Championships will run on July 7, the World Taekwondo President’s Cup (Oceania) on July 7-8, and the Australian Open on July 9. Spectator tickets are on sale now from the Australian Taekwondo website austkd.com.au.This series of events is supported by World Taekwondo, the Oceania Taekwondo Union, the Moreton Bay Council and Fight HQ.

World Taekwondo is the International Federation governing the sport of Taekwondo and is a member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations and the International Paralympic Committee. The World Taekwondo headquarters are located in Seoul, South Korea.

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Courtesy Australian Taekwondo