Ninth-day black belt conferred upon Toqaeva
In a significant development for Kazakhstan's sports community, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recently welcomed Chungwon Choue, the President of the World Taekwondo (WT), to Astana. This visit is a milestone that marks intensified collaboration and a strategic boost to the development and promotion of taekwondo in Kazakhstan.
Chungwon Choue's visit to Kazakhstan is significant for the development of taekwondo in the country. It demonstrates World Taekwondo's readiness to provide comprehensive support for the sport's growth there. During their meeting, President Tokayev and Chungwon Choue highlighted the importance of taekwondo not only as an Olympic discipline but also as a philosophy based on harmony, discipline, and mutual respect that unites millions worldwide.
The visit coincided with the upcoming international Kazakhstan Open 2025 tournament, which offers opportunities for the professional growth of domestic athletes, experience exchange, and enhancement of the national federation’s competitiveness. The WT is ready to provide support for the development of taekwondo in Kazakhstan, and the tournament will provide a platform for Kazakh athletes to showcase their skills on the international stage.
The event also included discussions about Kazakhstan hosting other major taekwondo events like the Grand Prix Final in 2026 and bidding for the 2027 World Championships, further boosting the sport’s prominence in the country. These events would offer additional opportunities for Kazakh athletes to compete at the highest level and further enhance the country's reputation in the world of taekwondo.
President Tokayev was awarded an honorary 9th dan black belt by Chungwon Choue, symbolizing recognition of the country’s dedication to taekwondo. In return, Choue received Kazakhstan's Order of Dostyk II degree for his global contributions to the sport. The event also saw Chungwon Choue expressing deep gratitude to the Head of State for the warm welcome and consistent support for taekwondo development in Kazakhstan.
The statement from Akorda published a video of Tokayev breaking a board during the meeting with Choue, showcasing the President's personal interest and commitment to the sport. The visit has been hailed as a significant event for Kazakhstan's sports community, with President Tokayev expressing confidence that joint efforts will contribute to the popularization of taekwondo in Kazakhstan and strengthen ties between peoples.
Chungwon Choue highly praised the level of organization of the upcoming tournament, the growing interest in taekwondo in Kazakhstan, and the achievements of Kazakhstani athletes on the international stage. He expressed optimism about the future of taekwondo in Kazakhstan, citing the country's potential to become a major player in the sport.
In conclusion, Chungwon Choue’s visit is a milestone that marks intensified collaboration, increased international exposure for Kazakh athletes, and a strategic boost to the development and promotion of taekwondo in Kazakhstan. The upcoming Kazakhstan Open 2025 tournament, along with potential future events like the Grand Prix Final in 2026 and the 2027 World Championships, offer exciting opportunities for Kazakh athletes to compete at the highest level and further enhance the country's reputation in the world of taekwondo.
Football could potentially become another sport promoted and developed in Kazakhstan, given the intensified collaboration and increased international exposure in taekwondo. President Tokayev and Chungwon Choue, the President of World Taekwondo (WT), could discuss possibilities for supporting football development in Kazakhstan during future meetings.
