Speaking at a press conference ahead of the 5th WTF World Para-Taekwondo Championships in WTF Para-Taekwondo Committee chairman Koos Engelbrecht revealed  he was looking forward to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decision in Berlin in October.

He was "quite positive" that taekwondo would be chosen ahead of its only rival, badminton, he claimed

Engelbrecht added: "We have to wait until the IPC's final decision, but we are quite positive that taekwondo will be on the official programme of the 2020 Paralympic Games."

Engelbrecht was joined at the conference, held at the headquarters of ITAR-TASS, by WTF secretary general Jean Marie-Ayer, Russian Paralympic Committee vice-president Pavel Rozhkov and Anatoly Terekhov, President of the Russian Taekwondo Union.

Around 120 athletes from a record 40 countries have made the trip to Moscow for the 5th World Para-Taekwondo Championships ©WTF



More than 120 athletes from 40 countries are set to take part in the World Championships at the Dinamo Sport Palace in Krylatskoe, Moscow, on Saturday and Sunday (June 21 and 22).

The Championships will be the second held in Moscow since its inauguration in Baku in 2009.

The Russian Taekwondo Union hosted the 2nd World Para-Taekwondo Championships in St Petersburg in 2010, an event which attracted a total of 65 athletes from 21 countries.

This edition of the Championships will feature both kyorugi and poomsae competitions and mark the first time that it incorporate poomsae competitions for intellectually impaired athletes.

"It is the second time for Russia to host the WTF World Para-Taekwondo Championships," said Terekhon.

"This time we organise the Championship separately as it is so important before the IPC's decision.

"My dream now is to put taekwondo on the 2020 Paralympic programme."

Ayer added: "The Moscow event has a special meaning as the WTF has applied for being part of the 2020 Paralympic programme.

"The WTF is going all out to meet IPC-set requirements.

"Our vision is to keep developing taekwondo and provide opportunities for all."

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