Paris-Bound Taekwondo Athletes Look to Inspire Participation in Sport

As Winnipeg prepares to host Taekwondo Canada’s Youth, Cadet & Junior Kyorugi National Championships, July 6-7, the city will also become an official send-off hub for Canada’s taekwondo team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games: Josipa Kafadar (Burnaby, B.C.) and Skylar Park (Winnipeg, MB).

Kafadar and Park will make a special appearance at the National Championships event, July 6 at 12 noon CDT in Park’s hometown before heading overseas to prepare for the Games, which open July 26. The duo will take part in a meet-and-greet and autograph session with the more than 300 young athletes, aged 10-16 years, competing at the National Championships.

Their message is simple, and aligns with a campaign recently launched by Taekwondo Canada through a public service announcement called “Find a Club” airing on television and digital media: Taekwondo is an avenue for acquiring life skills that will serve Canadians well beyond the field of play.

“Taekwondo has been one of the most important aspects of my life for as long as I can remember,” said Winnipeg-native Park, for whom the sport is a true family affair. “Taekwondo has brought my family together and made us stronger. It has taught me the principles of discipline, respect, confidence, hard work, determination, and has provided me with opportunities I could have never imagined. It’s an incredible sport that has transformed me into the person I am today, and I always try my best to promote and encourage the sport to others as well.

“It is going to be so special to have the opportunity to have an Olympic send-off in front of the national Taekwondo community and share the Olympic spirit with all those who will be cheering us on back home,” added the 25-year-old, who will be competing in her second Olympic Games, having also represented Canada in Tokyo.

Park’s teammate and first-time Olympian, the 23-year-old Kafadar, has reaped similar benefits from her participation in Taekwondo that have helped shape her outside the sport.

“Taekwondo has molded me into the person I am today – not only shaping my athletic abilities, but also my character. The discipline, respect, and perseverance ingrained in the sport has helped me through many challenges both on and off the mat,” said Kafadar, a World Taekwondo Junior Championships silver-medallist in 2018. “It’s one of the greatest honours to have a send-off to the Olympics in front of the national Taekwondo community. Representing my country on the Olympic stage is a dream come true, and I am very grateful for that opportunity, and to be able to share it with so many Canadian Taekwondo athletes at this week’s National Championships.”

National Championships competition begins at 9 a.m. on July 6 and 7 at the RBC Convention Centre. Adults can purchase a one-day pass for $15 and with Children purchasing a one-day pass for $5. An all-event pass is available for $25 on site (children ages 4 and under are free).

Hosting Canada’s top taekwondo athletes, the event serves as a qualification event for the 2024 Junior Kyorugi National Team and 2024 Cadet Kyorugi National Team selections for international competition.

For information on getting involved in the sport, visit taekwondo-canada.com/find-a-club or watch the PSA here.

Taekwondo Canada is the National Sport Governing Body for Taekwondo in Canada. We are recognized by World Taekwondo, Pan American Taekwondo Union, Sport Canada, Own the Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Taekwondo Canada sends national teams to the Olympic Games, World Taekwondo Championships, Pan Am Taekwondo Championships, Pan Am Games, World Taekwondo Junior Championships, Poomsae World Championships, and Pan Am Poomsae Championships.

Media contacts:

Chris Dornan
hpprchris@shaw.ca
403-620-8731

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