This week, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus plays host to two major international Taekwondo championships. On Thursday 26 October, the TRNC Taekwondo Federation holds its 29th National Championships. The following day, it will host the GTF 16th Eurasia Championships and over the weekend, the 4th World Budo Martial Arts Championships.
Under the expert eye of Senior Grand Master Eyüp Zafer Gökbilen, the TRNC’s national Taekwondo team have consistently performed well on the international stage, producing many world champions. Unfortunately these talented young athletes are banned from competing in championships that form part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because of the political isolation of the TRNC. However, the national side is admitted into competitions organised by alternative world martial arts bodies such as the Global Taekwon-do Federation (GTF).
The public are welcome to watch all three competitions, with matches taking place at the Federation’s Girne headquarters. The bouts will start at 10am each day with the awards ceremonies taking place at 5pm on Saturday 28 October.
