The Taekwondo World Games Korea 2023 are just around the corner, and the team of Spain 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,
Master Fernando Pérez – Coach
▪️ How does your country reach this International competition?
“We are going to the 1st World Games in Korea with great enthusiasm, because it is the birth country of Taekwon-Do and because it will be an event with a very important participation, approximately 30 countries. In particular, participation has not been easy for Spain, since the date coincides with the beginning of the school year and the new season of classes in the different Dojang. But we will be present.”
▪️ How was the previous planning, with previous competitions, physical/sports preparation?
“After the World Cup in the Netherlands last year, they have participated in several more tournaments. In addition, our competitor spent a month and a half in 2022 in Seoul training and right now, she has traveled 15 days before this event to finish preparing there. We are sure that your preparation is very positive.”
▪️ In which sports area is seen with more strengths Break/Fight/patterns) and that individual competitor or country sees as an adversary to respect?
“Shapes. Here, the first important rival is Argentina, but it’s not only them, but many countries have a high level, we already saw it in the last World Championship. In particular, the World Games will have the participation of many Asian countries and some of them are unknown to discover. It will be very interesting.”
▪️ What message do you have for your team before entering the competition?
“In particular, for this event, enjoying competing in the cradle of Taekwon-Do is a unique opportunity and should be a lifetime experience. Then, about the competition itself, fundamentally it is trusting the path taken to get to the Tournament, if you know you have done a good job, you will be able to control one of the most important problems of every competitor, nerves. You have to enter and leave everything on the tatami, but the most important thing is the way to get there.”
María Esteban – Competitor
▪️ How was the preparation for World Games Korea 2023?
“The preparation was intense and at the same time beautiful, always motivated by the illusion of having the opportunity to compete in Korea, the cradle of Taekwon-do.”
▪️ In what categories does he compete and with what expectation does he reach the competition?
“I compete in the tulle II Dan category. The expectation in this event is to be able to show the best of me, all that I have been training so much and to be able to be satisfied when leaving the mat. If I take a medal, the better, but my biggest goal as I mentioned before is to be satisfied with my participation.”
▪️ What countries do you see as favorites in the championship?
“I think that all countries can have chances to opt for medals, I don’t like to put labels.”
▪️ Do you have some kind of special preparation before competition day?
“Try to sleep well the night before and take a deep breath before entering the tatami.”