The Taekwondo World Games Korea 2023 are just around the corner, and the USA team is in full preparation to compete in this exciting international event that will take place in South Korea.
The ITF sports team interviewed some members of the team in the run-up to the tournament,
David Jue – Coach
▪️ How does your country reach this International competition?
“We will be traveling by plane.”
▪️ How was the previous planning, with previous competitions, physical/sports preparation?
“Since we first heard that there might be a World Games in South Korea after the 2022 Netherland World Championships, we began assembling our team for the next year. Within the last year, we’ve participated in local and national tournaments with our finale being this upcoming international tournament! Many of the students have worked hard. They’ve trained 1-3 hours per day and have also come into the do-jang on the weekends for additional training for the past 3 months.”
▪️ In which sports area is seen with more strengths Break/Fight/patterns) and that individual competitor or country sees as an adversary to respect?
“Fight/Forms) and that individual competitor or country sees as an adversary to respect? In my experience, all countries bring high level competitors in forms and fighting. It is not about the country or school, but about the competitor.”
▪️ What message do you have for your team before entering the competition?
“Do your best! I believe in all of you!”
Annie Hu – Competitor
▪️ How was the preparation for World Games Korea 2023?
“It looks the game organized well, good communication, they actively solved problems”
▪️ In what categories does he compete and with what expectation does he reach the competition?
“Annie competes in color belt patterns and sparring”
▪️ What countries do you see as favorites in the championship?
“I know there are many excellent players in the world, I respect them, as a member of team USA , we will work hard and strive to win”
▪️ Do you have some kind of special preparation before competition day?
“The coach and the team are training together and relaxing together, and the team also prepared new uniform and gears”
Carolyn Nguyen – Competitor
▪️ How was the preparation for World Games Korea 2023?
“For me, although preparation for World Games Korea was very challenging, it pushed me to realize both my physical and mental capabilities, which I proudly consider an achievement in itself. The challenge was not so much as to starting training daily, but to truly put effort into improving every time. I believe that my training was a significant learning experience and a motivating factor for me to achieve in the upcoming competition.”
▪️ In what categories does he compete and with what expectation does he reach the competition?
“I will be competing in Patterns, Specialty Breaking, and Power Breaking. I hope to place in Patterns, but I don’t have as high of expectations for breaking as I do for Patterns.”
▪️ What countries do you see as favorites in the championship?
“I personally have never been to a championship, so I am not quite sure, but I believe that all participates have good chances at winning.”
▪️ Do you have some kind of special preparation before competition day?
“Usually, I would just make sure to drink lots of water, get good rest, and make sure to stretch well.”