The 2nd West Asian Senior Taekwondo Championship opened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on April 21, 2010 for a two-day run, drawing about 60 athletes from nine West Asian countries.

The participating West Asian countries in the WTF-sanctioned biennial event are host Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar and Syria.

The inaugural West Asian Senior Taekwondo Championship took place in Tehran, Iran in 2008, which attracted about 50 athletes from eight countries.

The opening ceremony of the 2nd West Asian Championship took place on April 20, with the attendance of WTF President Chungwon Choue; Mr. Dai-soon Lee, president of the Asian Taekwondo Union and vice president of the WTF; Seyed Mohammad Pouladgar, president of the Taekwondo Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and 1st president of the West Asian Taekwondo Union.

“I would like to congratulate the Saudi Arabian Judo & Taekwondo Federation, the West Asian Taekwondo Union, and the organizing committee on a job well done in organizing this event,” said WTF President Chungwon Choue in his congratulatory speech.

Dr. Choue continued to say, “ This event is an illustration of the goal that the WTF is continuously striving for: a universal sport bound by no limits; not by age, gender, race, religion, nationality, nor physicality.”

“It is appropriate that this championships is being held in Saudi Arabia. Recent adjustments to the Competition Rules have allowed for talented athletes, especially female athletes from the West Asian region, to rise to the top of the podium,” Dr. Choue said. “I would like to offer my heartfelt best wishes to everyone during this championship. Reach high for your dreams, commit yourself, and don’t let anything stop you from being at your best.”

During the opening ceremony, WTF President Choue delivered a WTF plaque of appreciation to Dr. Ahmed Saad Al-Mofareh, president of the Saudi Arabian Judo & Taekwondo Federation.

The opening ceremony featured a variety of events, including a taekwondo demonstration match and Saudi folklore dance. [By WTF/NBC-1TV H. J Yook]