On 20 September 2026, the Chuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships closed after five days of competition at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome in Chuncheon, Korea. In an official release issued the same day, World Taekwondo confirmed that the event had finished as the largest edition in its history, with the host nation once again dominant in the discipline. Below is a summary of the confirmed participation figures, the final medal standings, the closing-ceremony honours and the current requirements for poomsae uniforms and equipment.
A record edition: 1,417 athletes from 83 countries
According to the World Taekwondo release of 20 September, a record 1,417 athletes from 83 countries registered for the Championships, together with the Taekwondo Refugee Team and athletes competing under the World Taekwondo flag, making Chuncheon 2026 the largest edition in the history of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships. The final figure was revised upward from the 1,411 athletes announced before the competition began.
The 2026 event was the 15th edition of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and the first to be hosted in Chuncheon. Classified as a G-8 event within the World Taekwondo ranking system, it featured both Recognized Poomsae and Freestyle Poomsae across individual, pair and team divisions and multiple age groups, with 42 medal events contested over five days.
Medal table: Korea leads with 20 gold
The official release confirms that the host nation finished first in the overall standings with 20 gold, four silver and five bronze medals. Thailand placed second with three gold, three silver and three bronze, while the USA finished third with two gold, five silver and 10 bronze. Chinese Taipei and China completed the top five. Korea's strength was not confined to a single division or a single day of competition: it extended across individual, pair and team events in both Recognized and Freestyle Poomsae.
Across the five days, 42 gold, 42 silver and 84 bronze medals were awarded, 168 in total, with athletes from 31 countries and regions reaching the podium. Nations from Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania claimed titles or podium finishes, making Chuncheon 2026 one of the most internationally widespread editions of the World Poomsae Championships to date.
Final day: eight gold medals shared by six nations
Eight gold medals were decided on the fifth and final day. Korea claimed three of them, while the remaining titles were shared between five other nations and regions, with six countries in total winning gold on the closing day.
Closing ceremony honours: MVPs, best coaches and referees
At the closing ceremony, World Taekwondo recognised the athletes and officials who defined the Championships. In Recognized Poomsae, Korea's Dongjun Lee and Jooyeong Lee were named male and female MVP. In Freestyle Poomsae, Korea's Jaeyoung Byun received the male MVP award and China's Sitong Lin the female award. Korea's Sung-woo Lee and Bok-chae Yun received the Best Coach awards for the male and female teams respectively. Malaysia's Chauw Proom Erom and Russia's Nadezda Petrova were named Best Referees. The India National Team received the Active Participation Prize, while the Mexico National Team earned the Good Fighting Spirit Prize.
From Chuncheon to Antalya: the handover to 2028
The closing ceremony ended with the ceremonial handover of the World Taekwondo flag. Chuncheon Mayor Donghan Yuk presented the flag to Engin Sarikaya, Vice President of the Turkiye Taekwondo Federation, marking the official start of the road to Antalya 2028. According to published reports, the World Taekwondo Council unanimously awarded the 2028 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships to Antalya, Turkiye, at an extraordinary meeting held in Chuncheon during the Championships.
Gear perspective: poomsae uniforms and WT-recognised brands
Unlike kyorugi, poomsae competition is contested in a collared uniform without electronic protector coverage, and referees apply clear requirements to the cut, the collar and the overall presentation of the dobok. For athletes and dojangs preparing for WT-sanctioned events, equipment compliance is as much a precondition as technical preparation, and it is one of the most easily overlooked steps in taekwondo equipment sourcing.
In its list of approved brands effective 3 February 2026, World Taekwondo set out recognised brands by product category for use at its sanctioned events. Eight brands are listed for poomsae competition uniforms, and MOOTO is among them. In the same document, MOOTO also appears in the categories covering forearm, shin, groin and hand protectors, as well as headgear, trunk protectors and face masks.
One point deserves emphasis: WT recognition is granted category by category rather than to a brand as a whole, so a brand may be recognised for competition uniforms without necessarily being listed in every equipment category. Athletes should therefore verify the current official list category by category before entering WT-sanctioned events. For more on gear selection, see our earlier journal articles on WT-certified dobok and on WT competition rules and equipment requirements.
MOOTO has worked with World Taekwondo since 1984 and became the first official sponsor of the Chuncheon 2026 Championships, supplying team uniforms and beverages for the event. Dojangs, clubs and distributors looking for bulk poomsae uniform programmes, customisation or shipment planning can learn more on our brand story page, or submit an inquiry through the relevant product page for quotations and samples.
FAQ
Q1.Where and when were the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships held?+
The Championships took place from 16 to 20 September 2026 at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome in Chuncheon, Korea, across five days of competition.
Q2.How large was the 2026 edition?+
A record 1,417 athletes from 83 countries registered, together with the Taekwondo Refugee Team and athletes competing under the World Taekwondo flag, making it the largest edition in the event's history.
Q3.Which teams finished on top of the medal table?+
Korea finished first with 20 gold, four silver and five bronze, followed by Thailand (3-3-3) and the USA (2-5-10), with Chinese Taipei and China completing the top five.
Q4.Where will the next World Poomsae Championships be held?+
Antalya, Turkiye, will host the 2028 edition. The World Taekwondo flag was handed over at the Chuncheon 2026 closing ceremony.
Q5.What are the uniform requirements for poomsae competition?+
World Taekwondo publishes recognised brands by product category. In the list effective 3 February 2026, eight brands are recognised for poomsae competition uniforms, including MOOTO. Athletes should verify the current list category by category.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- →A record 1,417 athletes from 83 countries registered, the largest edition in the event's history
- →Host Korea topped the medal table with 20 gold, four silver and five bronze
- →42 medal events were contested over five days, with 31 countries and regions reaching the podium
- →The closing ceremony recognised MVPs in Recognized and Freestyle Poomsae, plus best coaches and referees
- →The World Taekwondo flag was handed to Antalya, which will host the 2028 edition
CQ)Republic Basic Uniform
MOOTO 全新力作 ——Republic 竞技道服，中国官网正式上新。独创领口暗纹防伪工艺，将品牌专属图腾与武道印记低调隐匿于领部肌理。不张扬、不浮夸，正如武者内敛谦逊的本心。于方寸之间，承载礼仪、廉耻、忍耐、克己、百折不屈的武道精神；于赛场之上，助力武者突破极限，尽显王者风范。
