The Shincheonji Taekwondo representative team participating in the '2025 Park Chung-hee Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships' poses for a commemorative photo. This tournament took place from the 18th to the 21st at the Sangju Indoor Gymnasium in Gyeongbuk./HANDOUT
The Shincheonji Taekwondo representative team of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Chairman Lee Man-hee) has once again proven its skills on the international stage by winning medals across the board at the '2025 Park Chung-hee Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships.'
At the '2025 Park Chung-hee Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships,' organised by the Park Chung-hee Cup Organizing Committee and co-hosted by the Gyeongbuk Taekwondo Association and Sangju Taekwondo Association, more than 4,200 athletes from 18 countries, including South Korea, the United States, and France, participated in fierce competitions held from the 18th to the 21st of this month at the Sangju Indoor Gymnasium.
The events included various disciplines such as comprehensive performance, breaking, poomsae, kicking, and practical sparring, allowing for a multi-faceted evaluation of participants' skills.
On the 19th, a total of 25 athletes from the Shincheonji Taekwondo representative team competed in the certified poomsae individual event.
Despite a short preparation period, they demonstrated remarkable skills through focused training and persistent effort.
As a result, they achieved a total of 4 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 14 bronze medals, marking a significant accomplishment with everyone winning a medal.
Baedo-won from the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Taekwondo representative team demonstrates poomsae during the certified poomsae individual event at the '2025 Park Chung-hee Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships' held on the 19th at the Sangju Indoor Gymnasium in Gyeongbuk.
The team's performance at an international competition held in the home country of taekwondo left a strong impression on both domestic and international participants.
Gold medalist Lee Jun-wi expressed, "Although we didn't have enough training time, I tried to concentrate as much as possible within the given timeframe," adding, "I am grateful that our efforts led to good results."
Team coach Kim Deok-hoon stated, "As it was an international-scale competition, many outstanding athletes participated from both domestic and international backgrounds, resulting in high-level contests. I am proud that our athletes were able to showcase their skills without wavering. Based on this competition, we will systematically prepare our training system and strategies so that we can participate with more members and improved skills next year."
The Shincheonji Taekwondo representative team not only excelled at the Park Chung-hee Cup but also achieved remarkable results at the '2025 Kim Un-yong Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships' held earlier this month in Busan, with all participants winning medals.
At that event, all 12 competitors secured medals with 2 first places, 4 second places, and 5 third places, continuing their streak of international awards.
Additionally, in last year's '2024 Mungyeong World Taekwondo Festival,' 5 out of 18 participating athletes won medals, showcasing excellent performances in domestic and international competitions each year and establishing themselves as a representative team with both skill and stable team management.
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus actively promotes talent development and healthy community activities not only in faith but also in various fields such as sports, culture, and arts.
They plan to continue contributing to healthy lives and social contributions through sports in the future.
