The Karanas Taekwondo Club from New Ireland made their presence known and won the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Center in Port Moresby.
After a few years of absence due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup returned to the nation’s capital over the weekend, pulling off a successful one-day event.
The event was sponsored by the Korean Foreign Affairs Ministry and facilitated by the Korean Embassy in collaboration with the PNG Taekwondo Federation.
The tournament featured eight divisions in both men’s and women’s categories, and the twelve (12) associations that participated in the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup were:
● Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) Taekwondo;
● Karanas Taekwondo - New Ireland;
● Kassman Taekwondo - NCD;
● Stone’s Taekwondo - NCD;
● NCD Taekwondo;
● Jungle Gym Taekwondo - NCD;
● Kikori Taekwondo - Gulf;
● Block Taekwondo - NCD;
● Nanivi Taekwondo - Central;
● Namatanai Taekwondo - New Ireland;
● Goroka Taekwondo - EHP; and
● MMA Taekwondo - NCD.
The fighters from each association rose to the challenge and lived up to its billing, showcasing taekwondo skills and entertaining the fans, while setting their sights for the big title in their respective divisions.
Tournament Director and PNG Taekwondo stalwart, Jamuga Stone expressed satisfaction and thanked everyone for hosting an eventful tournament, while acknowledging the Korean Embassy for the support in organizing the event.
“The tournament was a success, despite some issues. We managed to deliver a successful event. I want to thank Master Edward Kassman, Margret Augerea, Margret Tamasi, and others for conducting the draws, and the technical aspects of the event,” Stone said.
“I also want to thank His Excellency Jong Ho Choi and the organizing committee, the athletes, officials, and taekwondo for delivering the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup, 2024. We hope to deliver a bigger and better event in 2025.”
Master Stone, who is also the Master Instructor for the Karanas Taekwondo Club, said he did not expect the team from New Ireland to win the championship. The victory took him off guard.
“I’m delighted and surprised that the Karanas Taekwondo fought their way into winning the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup. This win will promote and develop taekwondo in New Ireland Province in the coming months and years,” said Stone.
Master Stone further mentioned that they hoped to upgrade the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup to a G2 rated international taekwondo event next year.
“I hope with the upgrading of the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup to G2 rating in 2025, we could be able to invite the Asian and Oceania taekwondo fighters to PNG,” Stone added.
Meanwhile, a tentative date to host the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup is slated for July next year at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex Stadium in Port Moresby.
Like boxing, kickboxing and other martial arts sports, taekwondo teaches about self-defence, discipline, respect, and good sportsmanship.
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