Nia Sanchez was presented with a plague to mark her appoinment by WTF President Chungwon Choue ©WTF

Nia Sanchez, the 2014 Miss USA, has been appointed as a goodwill ambassador by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) in a bid to continue to find ways of increasing female participation around the world.

Sanchez was considered an ideal ambassador having been a vocal in advocating the benefits of the sport to those who practice it.

She was presented with a with a plague by WTF President Chungwon Choue, at a ceremony held at its headquarters in Seoul to mark her appointment.

The 25-year-old, who began practicing taekwondo at eight-years-old, displayed her skills as part of a session with members of the WTF Taekwondo Demonstration Team and then vowed to encourage young girls to take up the sport through her ambassadorial role.

“Taekwondo and the values it teaches have played a big part in my life and I want as many people as possible to benefit from the sport in the same way I have,” she said.

“Young people today, particularly young girls, can come under a lot of pressure, so I think it is important that through sports like taekwondo we show them that they can be involved in something that is welcoming and inclusive.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from or what you look like, everyone can have fun and stay healthy by practicing taekwondo.”

At the ceremony Nia Sanchez displayed her taekwondo skills
Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez displayed her taekwondo skills when visiting the WTF headquarters in Seoul ©WTF

Sanchez becomes the third non-Korean to have been appointed as a WTF goodwill ambassador following Pongchaok Kanklab, winner of Miss Thailand in 2009, and Dave Mustaine, the leader of American thrash metal band Megadeth.

Choue believes the appointment displayed the WTF’s commitment to finding new ways to promote the sport and values it represents.

He also expressed his hope Sanchez would help to encourage greater gender equality in the sport.

“Under Olympic Agenda 2020, we are working hard to foster greater gender equality,” he said.

“Miss Sanchez has an international following and as a WTF Goodwill Ambassador, she will greatly help us to spread awareness of our sport and stimulate greater participation –particularly among young people.”

At the invitation of the WTF President, Sanchez is set to appear at the 2015 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final and the WTF World Taekwondo Team Championships, as well as appearing at the second WTF Gala Dinner.

The three events are set to be held in Mexico City, with the Grand Prix Final due to take place from December 5 to 6, before the Team Championships are held from December 8 to 9.



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