By Reporter Anna Kim 

The World Hongik Taekwondo and World Comprehensive Martial Arts Championship took place at the Youth Sports Academy Gymnasium in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in Africa on July 27 for a four-day run. This international tournament marked the second event following the inaugural competition in Australia in March this year.

From 18 African countries, located in geographically close proximity, around 5,000 martial artists and officials who had honed various martial arts disciplines such as Taekwondo, Wushu, Karate, Hapkido, ITF, and WTF, participated in the international event. The event was highly praised for offering an exciting array of competitions and demonstrations.

The championship was jointly organized by the World Hongik Taekwondo Federation (President Lee Chun-gong), World Comprehensive Martial Arts Federation (President Son Kwang-seok), International Pro Taekwondo Federation (President Kwon Sung-keun), World Martial Arts Hapki-do Federation (Chairman Kim Hwa-sik), Legend Ormia, and World Taekwondo Federation.

Ethiopia, located in the eastern protrusion of Africa, boasts a population of approximately 120 million people and holds a strong historical pride as a country that has never been colonized. While it remains primarily an agrarian nation, it is considered a land of growing opportunities due to its continuous population growth.

Most of the territory is at an elevation of over 1,000 meters, consisting of highlands and plateau regions. Particularly, the capital Addis Ababa is situated at an altitude of 2,300 meters, offering a relatively cool climate, contrasting with the typical tropical weather of Africa.

Korea established diplomatic relations with Ethiopia in 1963 and holds a deep-rooted recognition of Ethiopia as a brotherly nation that shed blood as the sole African country to send troops during the Korean War.

During the opening speech of the championship, President Lee Chun-kong expressed gratitude for the enduring support during difficult times and emphasized that that is why Ethiopia was decided as the second venue for this competition.

Additionally, the Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Sports participated in the opening and closing ceremonies, mentioning the brotherhood between the two countries and expressing gratitude to the South Korean officials who traveled from afar to attend the event.

In addition, this competition was also a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the World Hongik Taekwondo Federation, and President Lee Chun-kong declared world peace with the practice of Hongik Taekwondo and Hongik Spirit Education as the core to realize a fair and equal society.

Throughout the event, 16 broadcasting stations covered the news, and it concluded successfully with over 60,000 attendees.