[NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Lima, Peru; 3 March 2016: The Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) has announced that para-taekwondo will have the honor of featuring in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games for the first time, further reflecting the growth and development of the Paralympic sport around the world.

The decision followed a two day meeting between the APC and Lima 2019 Organizing Committee on 29 February-1 March in Lima. Para-taekwondo will join 16 other sports in what will be the largest ever Parapan American Games with 1,850 athletes set to compete. The 17 sports on the program are: athletics, badminton, boccia, cycling, football 5-a-side, football 7-a-side, goalball, judo, powerlifting, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has been working closely with all its 206 Member Associations to develop para-taekwondo around the world and has witnessed a significant growth in the sport’s popularity in the Americas in recent years. With very few equipment requirements, para-taekwondo can be practiced by anyone at any time making it particularly popular in many developing countries. WTF President Chungwon Choue said:

“It is a huge honor to have been included in the Parapan American Games for the first time. At the WTF we have always been committed to making taekwondo a sport for all and to providing as many opportunities as possible to take part in the sport. Inclusion in the Parapan American Games reflects the progress we have made and will also allow us to engage with more people in the Pan American region than ever before.

“Para-taekwondo is a dynamic and exciting sport and is something completely different to what audiences will have seen at the Parapan American Games before. The Games will inspire even greater participation in para-taekwondo in the region and provide athletes with a chance to compete for vital ranking points ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. We look forward to working closely with the APC and Lima 2019 Organising Committee to ensure that we deliver the ultimate sporting experience for fans in 2019.”