World Taekwondo President Dr Choue Chungwon presented an honorary 10th Dan certificate to Pope Leo XIV during today\u2019s General Audience.
Chungwon was accompanied by World Taekwondo officials as well as eight Performance Team members and seven young Refugee athletes from the Azraq and Za\u2019atari Camps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This marked Chungwon\u2019s first meeting with Pope Leo XIV since his papacy began in May last year, and continued World Taekwondo\u2019s strong relationship with the Vatican on the development of sport and humanitarian activities.
The honorary 10th Dan certificate is the highest rank in Taekwondo, and Chungwon expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his promotion of humanitarian activities around the world.\u00a0
As Chungwon presented the certificate and dobok, a warm and lighthearted moment unfolded. Noting Pope Leo XIV\u2019s passion for tennis, President Choue playfully suggested that His Holiness might wear the dobok on the court\u2014a remark that brought a hearty laugh to the Pope.\u00a0
His Holiness warmly commended World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation for their dedication to refugees, adding that it was a true joy to meet the children from the camps today.
\u201cIt was a great honour to meet Pope Leo XIV at today\u2019s General Audience on the occasion of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation\u2019s 10th founding anniversary, and to have the opportunity to share details on the work of the THF in empowering refugees and displaced people around the world,\u201d Chungwon said.
\u201cPope Leo XIV’s commitment to peace and human dignity mirrors the values at the heart of Taekwondo, and in the spirit of Reborn Together, we are proud to recognise his contribution with this honorary 10th Dan certificate.\u201d
The reception took place prior to the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix on June 4 and the World Taekwondo Grand Prix from June 5-7 at the Foro Italico in Rome.
Alongside the competition, the Kim & Li\u00f9 Tournament will also take place at the Foro Italico from June 5-7, providing the seven young Refugee athletes with the opportunity to participate at one of Europe\u2019s biggest youth Taekwondo events.\u00a0
The Refugee athletes are aged between seven and 14, and are all Syrian nationals.
Chungwon previously granted Pope Francis an honorary 10th Dan certificate at their meeting in May 2017, while the World Taekwondo Performance Team delivered a historic demonstration in St Peter\u2019s Square during Pope Francis\u2019 General Audience in May 2018 and at the 1st Global Conference on Faith & Sport in October 2016.
Athletica Vatican \u2013 Vatican Taekwondo is one of World Taekwondo\u2019s 215 Member National Associations, having been formally recognised at the World Taekwondo General Assembly in 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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