WUXI, China, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- As the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships concluded here on Thursday, World Taekwondo President Choue Chungwon praised China’s hosting capabilities and told Xinhua that taekwondo will be further developed through reforms across multiple areas.
WUXI HOSTS "BEST" TAEKWONDO WORLDS
"The scale and quality of this championship make it the best World Taekwondo Championships yet," Choue said. "The atmosphere is excellent, the venue is beautiful, and the large number of spectators and supporters makes it even more special."
Choue highlighted Wuxi’s key role in the sport’s development, calling it "one of the world’s leading taekwondo destinations."
Since 2017, Wuxi has hosted the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series, which now has Wuxi as its permanent home. The event is one of the most influential taekwondo competitions after the Olympic Games, and is the only Olympic Taekwondo qualifying event held in China.
In addition to the Grand Slam Championship Series, Wuxi has also hosted the World Taekwondo Team World Cup as well as various Grand Slam Challenge and Open events.
"The Grand Slam has been critical in elevating our sport, ensuring the best compete against the best, and providing a platform for increased prize money and innovation," Choue said. "It is a taekwondo-loving city with a proven track record of delivering events to the highest standards."
CHINA’S CONTRIBUTION AND PROGRESS IN TAEKWONDO
At the 2007 World Taekwondo Championships in Beijing, China won two gold medals and one bronze, with Olympic champion Chen Zhong completing her career Grand Slam, and young talent Wu Jingyu showing early promise and claiming her first world title before clinching Olympic gold in Beijing the following year.
This year’s Championships attracted around 2000 participants from 182 countries and regions, reflecting an even greater scale and influence. "Over the past 20 years, Taekwondo has made remarkable progress in China. I have no doubt that the World Championships will further strengthen the sport’s development in the country and inspire the next generation of national athletes," Choue said.
At this Championships, China fielded 12 debutants out of a total of 16 athletes. The team collectively took one silver and eight bronze medals, with five of the bronze medalists born after 2005.
Choue praised China’s emerging talent: "They have tremendous potential. China has a vast taekwondo community, not just competitors. The foundation is very strong."
"With China committed to hosting more taekwondo events, I expect it to continue playing an important role in the sport’s development and evolution, while the national team benefits from ongoing investment," he added.
INNOVATION AND INCLUSION POWER TAEKWONDO’S GROWTH
Taekwondo has embraced innovation and technology in recent years to broaden its appeal. Choue dubbed the sport "Techwondo", noting that electronic scoring systems, video replay, and 4D camera rigs have enhanced both fairness and presentation.
Choue also highlighted the rapid rise of virtual taekwondo, whose first World Championships was held in Singapore last year. In 2025, two training programs were held to develop professional Match Operators, producing 40 certified operators so far. "Efforts are underway for its inclusion as an esports event in some major international multi-sport competitions such as the Military World Games, the FISU World University Games, and the ISF Gymnasiade."
In preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, World Taekwondo has looked to the Competition Rules Improvement Committee to enhance the sport’s appeal, including updates to the scoring system and uniforms.
The new scoring system will be simplified: punches, body kicks, and head kicks will now be worth 1, 2, and 3 points respectively, with technical moves involving spins or advanced techniques earning double points. For example, a technical head kick will earn 6 points. "Even if you fall behind, a last-second technical head kick can turn the match around. That’s the biggest change," Choue explained.
Choue noted that the new scoring system will be implemented at the 2027 World Taekwondo Championships in Kazakhstan, serving as a preview ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics. "I believe the matches will be more exciting and more accessible for viewers," he said.
Innovation also extends to competition formats. The mixed team event, showcased at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, has been praised for promoting gender equality and excitement. World Taekwondo is working to make it a formal Olympic discipline after 2028.
Choue also emphasized that enhancing the inclusiveness of Taekwondo would be a key focus over the next five years. He said that through taekwondo, the organization aims to bring peace and hope to conflict-affected areas and refugee communities, while expanding its membership reach and promoting the development of youth Taekwondo and para Taekwondo.
原文地址：http://en.people.cn/n3/2025/1031/c90000-20384788.html