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25th EUROPEAN TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS OPENS IN MANCHESTER

Manchester: May 18 2022


The 25TH edition of the European Taekwondo Championships opens on Thursday 19th in Manchester, GB Taekwondo announced today.

Taking place at the Manchester Regional Arena, this European Taekwondo Union event is hosted in partnership with UK Sport, Manchester City Council & British Taekwondo.

The competition sets a precedent for the sport with Para Taekwondo categories fully integrated into the competition programme for the very first time. The event will also see the participation of the Ukrainian Olympic and Paralympic Taekwondo teams, who have been supported to attend by other nations, the World Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation and the local hosts.

Manchester 2022 will be the second time the city has hosted this world-class competition, having hosted at the same venue in 2012. Over 400 athletes, 88 of them Para Taekwondo athletes, from over 50 nations will be competing over four exhilarating days of action.

ETU President, Sakis Pragalos: “We are delighted to be back in Manchester for the European Championships. The European Championships are always a proud showcase of the talented athletes of our continent, dominating in the Olympic and Paralympic medal collection, a fact that represents the strength of Taekwondo in Europe. We are fortunate of the professionalism of the Organizing Committee, the excellent GB Taekwondo and the welcoming city of Manchester and we anticipate a fantastic championships ”.

Paul Buxton, Chief Executive of GB Taekwondo said: “GB Taekwondo and the organising committee partners are committed to ensuring that Paralympic Taekwondo is given the profile it deserves. Our goal is to run an event that showcases the talents of all athletes and sets a precedent for integrating Olympic and Paralympic Taekwondo events. With two years to go until the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, the European Championships is an important target for the athletes as the first step on the journey to Paris. We would especially like to welcome the Ukrainian team to Manchester. Despite everything they have faced, the team have made the commitment to be here. They are a strong team, and I have no doubt will fight well for themselves, their nation, and their flag.”

Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is delighted to be hosting this world class event and the Council are proud to be working with the European Taekwondo Union, British and GB Taekwondo, and UK Sport to welcome some of the Europe’s elite Taekwondo athletes to our city. Manchester is a global leader when it comes to hosting sporting events. Our innovative approach to staging competitions combined with our passionate fans will ensure this is a fantastic edition of the European Championship.

Ian Leafe, Chief Executive of the NBG British Taekwondo, said: “I’m delighted that the UK once again can host the Championships and look forward to welcoming everyone to Manchester over the next few days. I know that everybody involved has worked tirelessly to ensure we deliver a spectacular event for athletes and fans alike. The event promises to be a real showcase of the athletic ability and I’m sure that the sporting performances on the court will inspire people of all ages to seek out and try the Taekwondo for themselves. I’d also like to thank UK Sport and the city of Manchester for their continuing support of our sport over many years.”

World Champion and Olympic medallist, Bradly Sinden, who is hoping to retain if not better his Silver medal from 2021 in the under 68kg category said: “I can’t wait to compete on home soil again, with Covid it’s been three years since we’ve fought in the UK at the World Championships. So, it’s only right we’re able to pick up where we left off and give the Manchester fans a treat, especially since it’s the home of both British and GB Taekwondo too.”

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