25th May 2023  

Damon Sansum last competed at the World Championships in 2019 but hopes to become a leading ‘player’ when the 2023 tournament launches in Azerbaijan on May 28. 

The two-time World medallist is one of nine contenders for a place on the World Taekwondo Athletes’ Committee. 

If successful, the 36-year-old German-born Scot will replace fellow Great Britain representative, Ben Haines. 

Haines was one of four members who gained his place when voting took place during the 2019 World Championships in Manchester-the first time World Taekwondo held elections for the Athletes’ Committee. 

That particular tournament marked Sansum’s fifth and final World appearance having won a silver medal in Chelyabinsk in 2015 and Muju two years later. A former kickboxer, the former British fighter also claimed a World Grand Prix silver medal in 2018. 

He was a member GB Taekwondo’s high-performance squad for nine years after successfully transitioning through the Fighting Chance talent ID initiative. 

Sansum announced his retirement from competition in October 2019 with GBT Performance Director, Gary Hall describing him as “a truly outstanding character.” 

Since then he has remained committed to taekwondo in particular and martial arts in general. 

‘Without athletes nothing is possible,’ is Sansum’s mission statement which focuses on raising the profile of international athletes while advocating for decisions which will respect fighters’ performance, health and future. 

“I have amassed 12 years of knowledge about and passion for taekwondo I think I can use for the betterment of the sport,” he explained. 

“Successful athletes become role models and it is important they stay involved to inspire the next generation. 

“Taekwondo is the only kicking martial art in the Olympic Games. I believe this needs to get the recognition it deserves and promoted as much as possible. 

“Stepping away from the sport as a competitor, like I have done, allows you to gain a different perspective,” added Sansum, who subsequently successfully studied to gain a business and sports degree. 

“I have analysed the sport from a more subjective view, as to what it can possibly do better while at the same time continuing the good work it is already doing.” 

The elections will see two male and two female athletes elected from the nine nominations at the end of the Championship.