There are moments when you are utterly thrilled: Rejoicing at a result, at the winning of a medal or at some other historic success that will remain forever in your memory. This was a moment like that.
On May 10, WTF President Chungwon Choue, accompanied by President of the Italian Taekwondo Federation Angelo Cito, was received by Pope Francis in the Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City. With them were Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Holy See Jong-hyu Jeong and Honorary President of the Italian Taekwondo Federation Young-gil Park.
After a fraternal greeting, Choue awarded the Pope an honorary 10th dan black belt - the highest rank in taekwondo.
The Pope – a sports fan who is known for his passion for the Argentinean football club San Lorenzo - thanked Choue. At the World Conference on Sport and Faith hosted by the Pontiff at the Vatican last October, the Pope had shown great interest in the WTF Demonstration Team’s performance during the opening ceremony. The team also performed for victims of the earthquake that took place in Amatrice, Italy, last year.
The Pope expressed his interest in the humanitarian activities of the global taekwondo family, notably the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, or THF. The THF was established in Lausanne, Switzerland last year with the mission of
"empowering the powerless" – teaching taekwondo to refugees and displaced persons throughout the world.
The meeting ended with a traditional farewell. "Pray for me," the smiling Pope Francis implored his guests.
"It was a tremendous honor to meet a man who has such immense moral stature worldwide," said Choue after the meeting. "It was a great privilege to brief him on the sport of taekwondo, and on our humanitarian activities across the globe."
For more information, please contact:
Communications Department
World Taekwondo Federation
Tel: +82 2 566 2505
Website: www.wtf.org
25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics iswww.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
