Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Taekwondo Executive Board (PBTI) Chairman Richard Tampubolon said the 8th Asian Taekwondo Indonesia Open Championships 2026 in Jakarta marked an important milestone in the development of taekwondo in the country.
“The championship shows that Indonesia is ready to host high-quality international sporting events,” Tampubolon said during the opening ceremony at the Indoor Tennis Arena, Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, in Jakarta on Sunday.
The event, running from August 1 through August 5, 2026, has attracted 478 taekwondo athletes from 36 countries. As host, Indonesia has fielded 31 athletes from the PBTI national training center, comprising 20 kyorugi and 11 poomsae competitors.
Tampubolon explained that hosting the event was made possible through collaboration between PBTI and Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Headquarters following a competitive bidding process in South Korea.
Competing against several candidate nations, including Malaysia and India, Indonesia was selected as host by the Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU).
“Today, we have proven that we are fulfilling that trust with full responsibility,” he remarked.
Tampubolon said the championship demonstrates to the international community that Indonesia is a safe destination and a growing global hub for sports tourism.
He urged all participants to compete with sportsmanship, discipline, and mutual respect.
“Let this championship serve as momentum to strengthen friendship among nations around the world,” he said.
Attending the opening ceremony were ATU President Kim Sang-jin, Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, Deputy Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Tandyo Budi Revita, and Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari.
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Translator: Aloysius, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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