Taekwondo

Daedo, a leading company in Taekwondo PSS, has obtained World Taekwondo (WT) official certification for its latest product, the GEN3 PSS System. With this certification, Daedo is set to introduce GEN3 PSS System to the global Taekwondo market.

GEN3 PSS System

The Daedo GEN3 PSS System consists of an E-trunk, E-headgear, E-foot protectors, a transmitter, a receiver, and a joystick. It incorporates cutting-edge technology and a new design to ensure more precise match judgments. The development of GEN3 was led by Dr. Jin Song from the United States, along with CEO Chuen Wook Park, Director Sam Park, and the Daedo PSS team (Protector Scoring System), who went through an extensive process of development, modification, and testing. After undergoing numerous internal tests and WT LAB testing, the system achieved WT official certification.

Key Technologies and Advantages of GEN3

Enhanced Wireless Communication and Data Transmission Technology: The GEN3 PSS System has been completely redesigned to improve impact sensitivity between the E-trunk and E-headgear. The new communication system maximizes signal accuracy even in challenging environments, ensuring real-time data transmission and increasing the reliability of match judgments.

Lightweight Design and Improved Comfort: Compared to previous PSS models, GEN3 is lighter and features increased flexibility, enhancing athletes’ comfort during matches.

Improved Design: The design of the E-trunk and E-headgear has been refined for a more sophisticated appearance while also improving functionality and stability.

Additional Foot Sensor: The number of sensors has increased from 11 to 15, enabling more precise detection of kicks.

However, during this certification process, the punch sensor was not included, as the WT Technical Committee has currently postponed its use. Nevertheless, Daedo continues to refine this feature in anticipation of future updates. Additionally, Daedo has developed a gyro sensing sensor to facilitate more dynamic Taekwondo matches, but its approval from WT is still pending.

CEO Chuen Wook Park of Daedo stated, “With the WT official certification, we expect the GEN3 PSS to set the new standard for Taekwondo competitions. Our goal is to create a more accurate and exciting Taekwondo experience. We will continue to provide optimal match environments for athletes, enhance the fairness and accuracy of scoring, and contribute to the advancement of Taekwondo match technology.”

The GEN3 PSS Enters the Global Market

The Daedo GEN3 PSS is available for purchase through Daedo’s Spain headquarters (daedo@daedo.com), Daedo Corea (www.daedocorea.com), and official distributors and online stores (www.daedo.com). Additionally, GEN3 will be used in various international competitions, starting with the Türkiye tournament on February 8.

Significance of WT Official Certification

Taekwondo is a sport that rapidly adopts new technologies, and the Protector Scoring System (PSS) has become an essential component for fair competition. Since adopting PSS as official match equipment at the 2012 London Olympics, WT has continued their use in the 2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, also in Youth Olympics.

Daedo has been a leading provider of PSS for major international competitions, including the 2012 London, 2016 Rio, and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, driving the modernization of Taekwondo match operations. With this latest WT official certification, the GEN3 PSS System is now officially eligible for use in all WT-sanctioned international competitions for the next four years.

Daedo remains committed to technological innovation, aiming to establish a new paradigm in Taekwondo match operations while providing a fair and highly reliable competition environment.

Did you know that Jone Magdaleno, one of Spain’s most promising Taekwondo athletes, started practicing this martial art practically from the moment she could crawl?

With a mix of discipline, talent, and love for the sport, Jone has not only achieved success on the European stage but has also inspired a new generation of practitioners. Discover who this athlete really is and what makes her unique both on and off the mat in this interview.

A Life Dedicated to Taekwondo

Jone Magdaleno grew up surrounded by Taekwondo. Her parents, who owned a Taekwondo club, passed on their love for the martial art from an early age. “I’ve always loved it, both the technique and the combat,” she shares. Although there wasn’t a specific moment that defined her vocation, her connection to the sport grew steadily over time.

“What I value most about Taekwondo are its values: discipline, sportsmanship, and effort,” she explains. These values not only guide her training but also serve as the compass for her life outside the mat.

A Champion’s Routine: Daily Effort and Consistency

For Jone, success isn’t a matter of luck but of hard work. Her daily routine includes two Taekwondo sessions—one in the morning and another in the afternoon—along with gym workouts. As a competition approaches, her coach and physical trainer adjust the workload to ensure she’s in peak condition.

What are her secrets for perfecting her techniques? The answer is simple: repetition and giving 100% effort. “There’s no point in practicing if you’re not doing it with maximum intensity,” she asserts. This mindset also applies to developing skills like flexibility and elasticity, where consistency is key.

Strategy in Combat

On the mat, Jone is strategic and precise. Her favorite kick, the dollyo chagui (roundhouse kick), is her main weapon for dominating matches. For more advanced techniques, such as the double spin or spinning hook kick, she observes and learns from experienced athletes, perfecting them through relentless practice.

She also emphasizes the importance of visualization and training in real-life scenarios to anticipate and react quickly to an opponent’s movements—an essential skill in such a dynamic sport.

Mental Strength: A Key to Success

Physical ability isn’t everything in Taekwondo, and Jone knows this well. Her mental preparation is just as intense as her physical training. Before an important match, she relies on positive visualization and breathing techniques to maintain her calm and confidence. “It’s essential to trust in the preparation you’ve done,” she says.

However, not everything is about staying calm:

“Nerves and pressure will always be there; it’s part of the game. That’s why psychological preparation is crucial.”

This mental focus helps her not only compete but also overcome challenges off the mat.

Unforgettable Moments

The pinnacle of her career so far was becoming European Champion in the senior category. For Jone, this achievement not only marked a milestone in her career but also served as a reward for years of dedication and sacrifice.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Like any athlete, she has faced significant challenges, including injuries and unexpected setbacks during competitions. “Staying calm in tough situations is a big challenge, but overcoming them has helped me grow both as an athlete and as a person,” she reflects.

Values On and Off the Mat

Taekwondo has shaped Jone in more ways than one. The discipline and effort this sport has taught her have also helped her achieve academic goals, such as preparing for a competitive exam. And although the journey hasn’t always been easy, she firmly believes that “effort is always worth it.”

She applies these values daily: “All the lessons I’ve learned from Taekwondo, I use in my everyday life.” For her, Taekwondo isn’t just a sport but a way of life.

Overcoming Challenges with Resilience

Injuries and losses are inevitable in a sports career, but Jone faces them with a positive mindset. During injuries, she stays active by adapting her training, while in moments of frustration after a defeat, she focuses on analyzing and learning from her mistakes.

“No one can stay undefeated forever. Losses teach you more than victories if you know how to learn from them,” she explains. Her motivation to keep going lies in her spirit of self-improvement and her love for the process.

The Future of Taekwondo and Jone Magdaleno’s Legacy

Jone is clear that she still has many goals to achieve. While she doesn’t set limits for herself, she enjoys every step of the journey. She also looks forward to the future of Taekwondo in events like the Olympics, which she believes offer a great opportunity for more people to discover and fall in love with the martial art.

When asked what message she wants to share with future generations, her response is straightforward and full of inspiration: “Don’t limit yourselves. Fight every day for what you want, both in sports and in life.”

A Champion’s Advice for Beginners

For those starting out in Taekwondo, Jone offers a golden piece of advice: “Enjoy the process.” She believes one of the most common mistakes beginners make is seeking immediate results when the true learning lies in the journey.

“A loss can teach you more than a victory if you know how to learn from it,” she states. This mindset of constant growth is what has made her a leading figure in Spanish Taekwondo.

Jone Magdaleno is not just an elite athlete; she is a shining example of dedication, resilience, and love for Taekwondo. Her story inspires anyone striving to achieve their goals, whether on or off the mat. Are you ready to follow in her footsteps?

Taekwondo is one of the fastest-evolving disciplines to integrate technology into its core, giving rise to the electronic body protector. Originally designed for protection, today this gear ensures fairer and more accurate scoring. Daedo, recognized by World Taekwondo as an official supplier, continues to demonstrate its leadership in technological innovation within taekwondo.

The Daedo Gen3 electronic body protector, officially approved by World Taekwondo, stands as a tool that meets the highest standards of quality and accuracy for international competitions. The launch of the Gen3 offers both professional and amateur athletes an unparalleled level of precision, surpassing the Gen2. Discover how the Gen3 is transforming taekwondo competition.

Thanks to its extensive infrastructure, Daedo has a wide network of distributors in over 70 countries worldwide, ensuring that the Gen3 electronic body protector is available to athletes everywhere. This guarantees that competitors across the globe have access to cutting-edge technology and the high quality that the Gen3 offers, regardless of their location.

History of the Electronic Body Protector in Taekwondo

Since the introduction of the protective body protector in 1963 in Korea, this equipment has adapted and evolved to protect competitors. The integration of electronic sensors began with the goal of eliminating scoring disputes and improving the transparency of the arbitration system.

Daedo, as a pioneering brand in sports technology development, revolutionized the sport by integrating electronic sensors into its vests, allowing for real-time measurement of the power of strikes and thus eliminating disputes in scoring. Thanks to this innovation, taekwondo secured its status as an Olympic sport.

The first appearance of electronic vests at the Olympic Games was in London 2012, where Daedo established itself as the official supplier. It continued to do so in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

What Makes Daedo’s Gen3 the Best Choice?

The Gen3 electronic body protector raises the standard in every way, offering key improvements such as advanced functionality, greater accuracy, reliability, and consistency. This model is designed to adapt to the demands of modern taekwondo, meeting the high standards of athletes and tournaments at the elite level.

Key Innovations of the Gen3

Integrated Fist Sensor

The Gen3 integrates a specific sensor in the glove that detects punches within the designated area of the body protector. Depending on the intensity of the punch, the impact is detected by the referee’s joystick, which must assess the attack. This improvement prevents incorrect validation of improperly executed punches.

Improved Joystick

Unlike the Gen2 model, the Gen3 joystick features a vibration system that alerts judges when the body protector’s sensor detects a punch. The intensity of the punch is automatically recorded, and the joystick vibrates to notify the referees, who only need to assess the technique to validate the point. This advancement optimizes the arbitration experience, making point validation faster and more precise.

Lighter Weight, Flexibility, and Ergonomics

The lightness and ergonomics of the Gen3 offer a key advantage. Its design makes it 30% lighter than the Gen2, reducing the competitor’s fatigue. Additionally, its increased flexibility allows athletes to perform kicks and punches more freely and at varying heights.

Improved Instep Sensors

The Gen3 instep model once again adapts to the World Taekwondo regulations by increasing the number of sensors from 11 to 15. This allows for more accurate detection of foot impacts on the helmet. In this way, the Gen3 responds better to various kicks and ensures precise detection.

Spin Sensor to Reward a More Dynamic Taekwondo

The purpose of incorporating a spin sensor is to detect and reward rotational kicks. This way, athletes using more dynamic movements, rather than static moves, will be rewarded. This feature adds dynamism to the combat, preventing both participants from relying solely on front-leg attacks, which resemble fencing techniques.

Optimized Impact and Proximity Sensors

The proximity and impact sensors have been optimized to record strikes with greater precision. This ensures that each hit is faithfully registered, aligning with the strictest international competition standards.

Wireless Transmission with High Interference Resistance

In environments with multiple electronic devices, wireless data transmission can be challenging. The Gen3 has improved its transmission system, ensuring stable communication at all times, crucial in high-level tournaments.

Selectable Frequency Range

The option to select different frequency ranges is another advantage of the Gen3, helping to avoid interference in highly saturated environments with dense radiofrequency traffic. This feature makes the system ideal for massive competitions.

A Step Towards the Future of Taekwondo: Gen3, the Champions’ Choice

Daedo’s Gen3 electronic body protector has elevated taekwondo to a new level of professionalism and precision. With high-precision sensors, improved connectivity, and new technologies, the Gen3 is an essential tool for elite taekwondo athletes. Now available for purchase online, the Gen3 presents itself as the ideal choice for those seeking better performance and fairer scoring in every match.

With the Gen3, Daedo demonstrates that it remains at the forefront of innovation in Taekwondo. Without a doubt, this electronic body protector will be a key component in the competitions of the upcoming Olympic cycle and in World Taekwondo events, establishing itself as the reference equipment for future champions.

The world of Taekwondo is about to undergo a radical transformation with the launch of the Virtual Taekwondo Set for 2 players (VTKD), an innovative system that combines the best of virtual reality with the essence of martial arts. This product, officially distributed by Daedo in collaboration with Refract Technologies and the World Taekwondo Federation, is a revolutionary tool that promises to change the way practitioners train and compete. Ideal for dojangs, martial arts clubs, and gyms looking to apply Taekwondo techniques in the virtual world.

What is Virtual Taekwondo?

Virtual Taekwondo is an advanced system that brings Taekwondo into the virtual environment. It uses motion capture and gamification to simulate combat. It is currently being sold on Daedo’s official website for €3,630. This set offers a balanced playing field for competition without physical contact, yet with the intensity of a real fight.

The system uses AXIS, technology that translates movements in real-time into the virtual environment. This allows players to practice their skills and techniques in simulated matches. Every strike and block is measured with precision.

What makes Virtual Taekwondo unique is that it levels the playing field. Age, gender, or weight of the player doesn’t matter. What counts is technique, strategy, and speed.

Key Features

The Virtual Taekwondo Set comes equipped with a series of features that make it unique in its category, providing a complete experience for both coaches and students. Some of the most notable features are:

– Immersive virtual arena: Combat takes place in a digital environment with multiple camera angles, offering a comprehensive view of every movement and strategy.

– Customizable characters: Players can choose between male or female characters, adding a personal touch to each match.

– Match duration: Matches last 90 seconds per round, and players can opt to compete in the best of 3 or 5 rounds.

– Constant updates: Daedo offers a free monthly subscription in the initial period, ensuring that the Virtual Taekwondo software is always updated with the latest improvements.

– Advanced user management: Accounts are linked to dojangs or clubs, facilitating supervision of students’ progress and performance in virtual competitions.

What Does the Virtual Taekwondo Set Include?

The Virtual Taekwondo Set is designed to be a complete solution that includes all the necessary elements to start training immediately. The set includes:

– Two AXIS systems: equipment that captures and translates players’ movements into the virtual environment.

– Two virtual reality glasses and controllers (PICO 4): players are fully immersed in the digital environment with these virtual reality devices.

– The software: essential for a seamless experience and can be updated.

– Complete accessories: Everything necessary for installation and immediate use is included in the set.

The set requires a specific space of 40-50 m², free of obstacles, to ensure that players have the appropriate range of motion. Additionally, it is recommended to have a referee or game master to supervise the matches and ensure that the rules are followed at all times.

Technical Requirements

To ensure the best performance, Virtual Taekwondo requires certain minimum hardware and connectivity requirements. These include:

– Gaming laptop: Windows 10 or higher operating system. An Intel Core i7-12700H CPU (or any equivalent or higher). An RTX 3050 graphics card (or any equivalent or higher). DirectX version 12. 16GB of RAM memory and 60 GB of available storage space.

– Router: AX3000 bandwidth or higher is highly recommended to ensure a stable connection. Wi-Fi 6 Internet connection is essential along with a 5 GHz connection only to provide optimal speed.

– Obstacle-free space: The minimum recommended area is 40-50 m², with two 4×4 meter combat zones, preferably equipped with Taekwondo mats.

Benefits for Dojangs and Gyms

Virtual Taekwondo not only optimizes Taekwondo training but also offers several additional benefits, making it an attractive investment for dojangs, martial arts clubs, and gyms. Some of these benefits include:

– Monetization through eSports: Clubs can organize eSports events and stream matches online, opening up new business opportunities.

– Advanced training: The system offers precise data and realistic simulations, allowing coaches to improve their students’ skills more effectively.

– Gamified experience: Gamification makes training more fun and engaging, increasing students’ motivation and commitment.

Virtual Taekwondo in eSports and the Road to the Olympics

Virtual Taekwondo is also designed to become a competitive eSport. During the 2023 Olympic Esports Week, the first official Virtual Taekwondo tournament was a great success and attracted global attention.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach praised the potential of virtual sports. For his part, World Taekwondo Federation President Dr. Chung-Won Choue hopes that Virtual Taekwondo will become a medal event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Additionally, Daedo offers discounts and additional support for the first clubs and dojangs that adopt Virtual Taekwondo.

Why Choose Virtual Taekwondo?

Virtual Taekwondo represents a true revolution in martial arts training. Its combination of virtual reality and gamification makes it a unique and immersive experience. Both coaches and students can take advantage of this tool to improve their skills.

Now, training is no longer limited to traditional practices. Virtual Taekwondo allows practitioners to explore new forms of learning and competition. In addition to enhancing physical skills, the system prepares athletes for a new era of virtual sports.

Virtual Taekwondo is the future of martial arts training. Its advanced technology and innovative approach make it an attractive investment for any dojang or gym. From the first competition to the Olympics, it is destined to leave an indelible mark on Taekwondo.

Last weekend, Barcelona became the epicenter of taekwondo as it hosted the first Daedo Taekwondo Open. This event, which brought together competitors from the sport, had the primary goal of showcasing the innovative PSS GEN3 scoring system by Daedo.

An Innovation in the Sport of Taekwondo

The new PSS GEN3 scoring system, developed by Daedo in collaboration with inventor Dr. Jin Song, promises to revolutionize the way taekwondo is measured and judged. This system incorporates several key innovations:

• Punch Sensor: The Gen3 now includes a sensor in the punch that allows referees to know if the hit on the chest guard was precise, and thus confirm the point through joysticks.
• Promoting Dynamic Taekwondo: The system is designed to reduce static taekwondo, where primarily front kicks are used, and reward those athletes who practice more dynamic taekwondo.
• Improved Transmission: The Gen3 features a completely new transmission system, making the connection more stable, avoiding disconnections and other issues observed in previous versions.
• Increased Foot Protector Coverage: The electronic foot protector now has a larger coverage area, reducing the occurrence of strikes that previously did not score due to the lack of sensors on the outer part of the foot.

Verification and Evaluation by World Taekwondo

The global taekwondo federation, World Taekwondo, sent Philippe Bouedo as the Technical Delegate of the event to verify all aspects of the new PSS GEN3 system. Bouedo was present to conduct a thorough evaluation of the system to determine its viability for use in the upcoming Junior Taekwondo World Championship, to be held in Chuncheon, Korea, in October 2024.

A Memorable Event

The Daedo Taekwondo Open competitions were supervised by the CSB team, composed of Usman Dildar, Ali Sagirkaya, and Ioannis Mouroutsos. Among the distinguished attendees were Jesús Castellanos, president of the Royal Spanish Taekwondo Federation (RFET); José Antonio Solano Campelo, president of the Taekwondo Federation of the Region of Murcia; and José María Pujadas, secretary general of the RFET. Dr. Jin Song, the creator of Daedo’s PSS, was also present, underscoring the importance of the event.

The Open featured the participation of official referees from 18 different countries, under the direction of Paula Ramírez. Additionally, athletes from more than 10 different nations competed in this exciting event. For the Juniors, the categories of the Youth Olympic Games were applied, while for the Seniors, the Olympic categories were used.

Junior Category

Sunday was the turn of the seniors, who demonstrated their experience and talent in a series of intense matches. By the end of the day, the following competitors emerged victorious:

• Women -49kg: WROBEL Michalina (POL), gold medal; ZACYIOVA Natalia (SVK), silver medal; HEREDIA CÓRDOBA Judith (ESP) and LÓPEZ RAMIREZ Leire (ESP), bronze medals.

• Women -55kg: BENETTI Ines (FRA), gold medal; LILOVA Elena (BUL), silver medal; BLESA SILES Eva (ESP) and LLOPIS SÁNCHEZ Muriel (ESP), bronze medals.

• Women -63kg: TORRENS QUERA Martina (ESP), gold medal; EL HARCHE KONING Nora (ESP), silver medal; SANZ FORES Ruth (ESP), bronze medal.

• Women +63kg: OSSIN Laurenne Kimi (CIV), gold medal; VROEGH Nielle (NED), silver medal; BADIA YERPES Anna (ESP) and  ERPELDING Camille (FRA), bronze medals.

• Men -48kg: LEPAPE Andreas (FRA), gold medal; LLOPIS SÁNCHEZ Leo (ESP), silver medal; MONTALBAN MORENTE Juan (ESP) and AISA ALONSO Ivan (ESP), bronze medals.

• Men -55kg: GUARDIOLA Eliot (FRA), gold medal; BENTEIB BENTAYEB Anwar (ESP), silver medal; COLLADOS PARDO Carlos (ESP) and DIMAYUGA MARTINEZ Mark (ESP), bronze medals.

• Men -63kg: FERNANDEZ AYARZA Nicolas (ESP), gold medal; SIMEONOV Martin (BUL), silver medal; ROBLES LLOPIS Gabriel (ESP) and OROZCO GIL Sergio (ESP), bronze medals.

• Men -73kg: LILOV Krassimir (BUL), gold medal; RUBIO DIAZ Erik (ESP), silver medal; IZARIK Daniel (SVK) and JURADO OLIVER Pau (ESP), bronze medals.

• Men +73kg: LYSENKO SERRANO Ivan (ESP), gold medal; SÁNCHEZ GARCIA Juan Manuel (ESP), silver medal; GARCIA CARRERAS Hugo (ESP) and GUASCH GUTIERREZ Ramón (ESP), bronze medals.

Senior Category

On Sunday, it was the turn of the seniors, who demonstrated their experience and talent in a series of intense matches. By the end of the day, the following competitors emerged victorious:

• Women -49kg: SERRANO RODRIGUEZ Alicia (ESP), gold medal; NOGUERA CHANZA Anira (ESP), silver medal; OUADI LEMRINI Ahlem (ESP), bronze medal.

• Women -57kg: BONALS ANARTE Laura (ESP), gold medal; MERLOS ORDONEZ Judith (ESP), silver medal; TEMINA MONLEON Paula (ESP) and MUSIELLO Giulia (ITA), bronze medals.

• Women -67kg: SECANELL CHARLES Elsa (ESP), gold medal; PORTILLO LAZARO Nerea (ESP), silver medal; MARTINEZ VILLARROYA Marina (ESP), bronze medal.

• Women +67kg: SILVA RODRIGUEZ Nayala (ESP), gold medal.

• Men -58kg: ALEX DE DIOS Jose (ESP), gold medal; EL NAMMRI Riad (MAR), silver medal; VIVES SAEZ Isaac (ESP), bronze medal.

• Men -68kg: KHAMMERMAN Danil (UKR), gold medal; THOMAS Max (ESP), silver medal; BAUTISTA RODRIGO Raul (ESP) and MURILLO PALACIOS Jorge (ESP), bronze medals.

• Men -80kg: AGUILAR CABALLERO Marcos (ESP), gold medal; MUSKEVITS Aleksandr (GER), silver medal; GARCIA MARTIN Jose Maria (ESP) and SOLER RECIO David (ESP), bronze medals.

• Men +80kg: BENKHALLOUK DOUNANI Yousef (ESP), gold medal; GORDO MERINO Raul (ESP), silver medal; MARCOS MARTINEZ Aaron (ESP), bronze medals.

Conclusion

The first Daedo Taekwondo Open was not only a successful sporting event but also a milestone in the evolution of taekwondo. With the launch of the PSS GEN3, Daedo has marked a turning point in scoring technology for the sport. The taekwondo community eagerly anticipates how this innovation will continue to enhance the experience for both competitors and spectators in the years to come.

The first Daedo Taekwondo Open was not only a successful sporting event but also a milestone in the evolution of taekwondo. With the launch of the PSS GEN3, Daedo has marked a turning point in scoring technology for the sport. The taekwondo community eagerly anticipates how this innovation will continue to enhance the experience for both competitors and spectators in the years to come.

The global taekwondo community now looks forward with great anticipation, knowing that the decision World Taekwondo will make in the coming months could define the competition standard for a new generation of athletes. The Gen3 is poised to be a fundamental tool in this process, promising to elevate the fairness and excitement of taekwondo to new heights.

We kick off 2024 with enthusiasm as we welcome Joël van der Weide, a Dutch Poomsae Taekwondo athlete, to #teamdaedo. With his addition, we now have a total of 24 sponsored athletes. We are excited to continue strengthening our team and supporting martial arts athletes on their path to success.

Joël started practicing Taekwondo at the young age of six, and by nine, he was already competing in international events. His dedication to the discipline led him to build an outstanding 18-year career as a taekwondo specialist in Poomsae. Now, at 24 years old, he has achieved the second position in the World Taekwondo ranking.

Regarding his academic journey, he specialized in a Vocational Education and Training (Mbo) program in Sports and Exercise. Furthermore, he continued his Higher Professional Education (Hbo) studies in the Sports Science program. Thanks to his academic background and extensive professional career in Taekwondo, he can offer seminars and online classes under his name.

Joël van der Weide joins the Daedo team.

On December 18, 2023, Joël had the opportunity to visit Barcelona and participate in a photoshoot with other Taekwondo masters, Master Jeong Cheol Kim and Laura Kim. Besides serving as a model representing his discipline, the photoshoot marked a special occasion.

During the session, Mr. Park, CEO of Daedo, personally welcomed the future member of #teamdaedo. This meeting strengthens the beginning of a significant collaboration, as Joël is the first Poomsae Taekwondo specialist to join our team.

The addition of the Dutch athlete represents a step forward in our mission to support and highlight exceptional athletes in martial arts, especially Judo, Karate, and Taekwondo. We look forward to witnessing the achievements and positive impact that his experience and dedication will bring to #teamdaedo. Welcome to the team, Joël!

Joël van der Weide posing as a taekwondo athlete model for Daedo’s photo shoot.

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that has gained popularity worldwide for its unique blend of physical and mental discipline. While the sport is often associated with self-defense and competition, its underlying principles of respect, self-control, and harmony have contributed to its role in promoting world peace. The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), in particular, has taken on a significant role in using the sport to further peace and humanitarian causes.

The THF is a non-profit organization established by the World Taekwondo (WT) in 2016 with the aim of promoting peace, social development, and youth empowerment through Taekwondo. The foundation has worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for refugees and disadvantaged communities to learn and practice Taekwondo, in order to foster physical fitness, mental health, and social cohesion.

One of the most notable initiatives of the THF has been its Hope and Dreams Sport Festival, which are held in cooperation with the WT and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). The sport festival bring together young taekwondo athletes from around the world, with a particular emphasis on those from underprivileged backgrounds, to compete in a spirit of fair play, friendship, and mutual respect. The most recent edition of the Hope and Dreams sport festival was held in Amman, Jordan, on the 27th of February 2023, and saw over 300 young refugee athletes.

The Hope and Dreams Championships serve as a platform for the THF to promote its values of peace and humanitarianism. By bringing together young athletes from diverse backgrounds, the championships help to break down barriers and promote understanding between cultures. Additionally, the event provides an opportunity for the THF to showcase its other programs, such as its Taekwondo coaching and education initiatives for refugees and vulnerable youth.

In 2023, the World Taekwondo (WT) celebrated its 50th anniversary, and President Cho Jung-won marked the occasion with a New Year’s address. He declared, “If the efforts of the past 50 years were for the survival and growth of Taekwondo, the next 50 years will be used to change the world and realize the value of Taekwondo as a tool to spread peace and hope.”

The WT has been steadfast in its commitment to promoting peace and humanity, and this focus has garnered global attention. With 212 member countries, including a refugee team, the WT has made Taekwondo the most globalized sport, sending a message that goes beyond sports to resonate with society at large.

Through its various programs and initiatives, the THF has shown that Taekwondo can be a powerful tool for promoting peace and social development. The organization’s commitment to using the sport to support vulnerable communities and promote humanitarianism is a testament to the underlying values of Taekwondo. As the THF and other organizations continue to leverage the power of Taekwondo for social good, we can hope to see a more peaceful and inclusive world in the future.