This event heralded the return of Para poomsae to the international stage and this year, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved with World Taekwondo as a Committee member. 

As a consequence, I was appointed as a member of the World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships Competition Supervisory Board (CSB).

My experience as the Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) poomsae director and referee chair gave me the requisite skills to handle all the challenges thrown at me in these roles at the World Para Taekwondo Championships.

During the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, I organised the first and second OTU online Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and was also appointed as the World Taekwondo technical delegate for these events.  

I also co-ran the Goodwill Cooperation Service (GCS) "All for Charity" Online Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in 2021 with the Para poomsae sport classes which included athletes with an intellectual and neurological impairments, and those using wheelchairs. 

The same Para poomsae sport classes were included in Veracruz and, for the first time ever, with the addition of sport classes for athletes of short stature and athletes using assistive devices such as wheelchairs and walkers.

Many were experienced players, but some were inexperienced competing for the first time at World Championships level.  

Regardless of their experience, these players showcased their poomsae skills and their will to compete, showing courage, determination, persistence, and perseverance together with their devoted and dedicated coaches and families.  

A very commendable effort to see their ceaseless determination to teach poomsae to all.

During the course of the championships, a number of Para poomsae players, some of them champions, approached me with smiles on their faces and introduced themselves.  

They proudly informed me that they had participated in the previous online Para poomsae events that I had organised, some of them even participated in all three events.  

My heart just melted with pride and joy.  

Sports has always played an important role in society but this demonstrated that it also plays a huge part in an individual’s happiness and wellbeing as well as being able to engender friendships.

The day before the Championships, fourteen selected World Taekwondo international poomsae referees (IPR) attended the new Para poomsae judging education sessions which I presented.  

The presentation materials were thoroughly setup with a focus on the new method for judging Para poomsae.  

The sessions included the theory of the new Para poomsae judging method and a practical element which included the segmentation of poomsae to improve the standard of Para poomsae judging.  

I was pleased and proud to see all my newly trained international poomsae referees effectively implement the new judging method on the day of the Championships with excellent outcomes for athletes in the different sport classes.  

I believe this resulted in the right players being fairly awarded.

The most memorable part of the Veracruz event for me was to witness the determination, inspiration and courage on the faces of Para poomsae athletes. 

An apt phrase which came to mind at the medal presentation ceremony was:

"The only thing that feels better than winning is winning when nobody thought you could."

Sports in general has the power to unite community and inspire individuals and in Para taekwondo it has played an important role in promoting identity and pride.  

Diversity is a fact, but thoughtful inclusion is a choice we make. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank World Taekwondo, World Taekwondo Para department, World Para Taekwondo Committee, World Para Classifier Committee, World Taekwondo Para Poomsae referees, KPNP, Organising Committee in Mexico, volunteers, coaches and our amazing athletes and their families for progressing the cause for the inclusion of Para poomsae.

Last but not least, please stay tuned for Oceania Taekwondo Union online Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in 2024.  

These will give additional opportunities to all Para poomsae players to gain further experience in the safety of their own backyard without the physical and financial burden of traveling long distances. 

Participation in this event will assist in preparing themselves for the next World Para Taekwondo Championships.  

With a good team of dedicated people that work hard and support the progress of Para poomsae, I look forward to the day the discipline makes its debut in the Paralympic Games. 

I always work with the thought that everyone has a purpose in life. 

With the opportunity I have been given, I like to think that we have the ability to positively progress Para poomsae.  

The World Para Taekwondo Championships in Veracruz is just the first step.