Foto: HTSZagreb, November 16, 2024 – The large international taekwondo tournament, the Korean Ambassador's Cup Croatia Open, is being held at the Sutinska Vrela Hall in Zagreb, with more than 900 competitors and officials from countries all over the world, ranging from Brazil to Korea.
The tournament, organized by the Croatian Taekwondo Association and the Zagreb Taekwondo Association, is ranked as a G-1 event by the World Taekwondo Federation. This year's competition is under the patronage of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Croatia, His Excellency Hong Sungwook.
The opening ceremony of the tournament was marked by a spectacular performance by the demonstration team from the World Taekwondo Federation headquarters (Kukkiwon – Seoul, Korea), showcasing a wide range of taekwondo techniques. The Kukkiwon demonstration team was met with a standing ovation by the packed Sutinska Vrela Hall.
The sports spectacle was further enhanced by distinguished guests from taekwondo and Croatian sports. A special letter of thanks was presented to the Vice President of Kukkiwon, Kabkil Kim. At the same time the President of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Zlatko Mateša, was awarded an honorary 7th-Dan black belt. The honorary 6th-Dan black belt was also presented to the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Hong Sungwook. Additionally, Kukkiwon letters of thanks were awarded to the President of the Croatian Taekwondo Association, Anto Nobilo, and the Secretary General of the Croatian Taekwondo Association, Petar Josipović. The Director of the Olympic Program of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Damir Šegota, accepted the Kukkiwon letter of thanks on behalf of the Secretary General of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Siniša Krajač. The gathering was also addressed by the Vice President of the Croatian Taekwondo Association, Dragan Primorac.
Representatives from the top of Zagreb's sports community were also present, including the President of the Sports Federation of the City of Zagreb, Vjekoslav Šafranić, and the President of the Zagreb Taekwondo Association, Danijel Bursać.
In the senior competition of the tournament, two Olympic gold medalists from Tokyo will compete: our own Matea Jelić and Anastasia Zolotic from the United States, along with many other top fighters. (hta/hoo/vk)
