Leonardo Oros Duek, left, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog after receiving the Aliyah and Integration Award ©ITF

International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) treasurer Leonardo Oros Duek has become the latest recipient of the Aliyah and Integration Award, given to immigrants for contributing in an extraordinary way to the development and improvement of life in Israel.

The award was conferred by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the Minister of Aliyah and Integration Pnina Tameno Shete at a ceremony in the Hall of the Presidential House.

"His contribution during the last 20 years through the teaching of Taekwon-Do in general was considered substantial,and the diffusion that, as president of the ITF Inclusion Committee, he carries out the Adapted Taekwon-Do programme," the citation said, recognising his contribution in developing the sport for those with disabilities.

"This task of inclusion and expansion of an activity that contributes to improving everyone’s quality of life is also reflected in the publication and distribution of the book Guide for Adapted Taekwon-Do Instructors, as a means for training teachers of people with special conditions."

Duek emigrated to Israel from Argentina in 2002.

Leo Oros Duek emigrated from Argentina in 2002 and has become a major figure in Israeli taekwon-do ©ITF
Leo Oros Duek emigrated from Argentina in 2002 and has become a major figure in Israeli taekwon-do ©ITF

He has since become a major figure in developing the sport in the region and taken a leading role in the ITF and European taekwon-do.

"Israel would not be what it is today without immigration, not in numbers and not in quality," Herzog said at the investiture.

Duek was honoured with others from the immigrant community who had made contributions to healthcare, science, society and the arts in Israel.

Duek was the winner in the field of sports.