Master Muleta, the President of the Australian Taekwondo ITF Federation, recently shared his insights and experiences from the ITF World Games in Korea 2023. The event marked the first ITF World Games in Seoul and held special significance as it brought together Taekwon-Do practitioners from around the world.
Master Muleta highlighted the importance of immersing oneself in the rich culture of Korea, especially for Taekwon-Do practitioners, and the event provided a perfect opportunity for this. The event, held in a prestigious stadium with a wonderful atmosphere, made it his fourth visit to Korea, reinforcing his belief in the significance of cultural experiences.
Assessing the technical level of the tournament, he noted that the competition’s quality was quite good. The deeper into a category one ventured, the closer to the finals, the sharper the patterns, and the faster and more dynamic the sparring became. Notably, some countries displayed significant improvements in their performance, with new teams and countries making their presence felt.
His role extended beyond being a spectator; he was actively involved in working with the umpires during the World Games. Drawing from his extensive experience, dating back to 2001, when he transitioned from competing to umpiring, he had served on the ITF Umpire Committee since 2002. He was pleased with the coordination of the umpires and the competition areas, commending the expertise and leadership of Grandmaster Galarraga, Grandmaster Maidana, and Master Perez. Australia contributed three umpires to the event, and Master Muleta recognized the umpire team’s excellent performance and the visible improvement of those who had officiated multiple times.
Australia made a significant impact on the event by bringing a delegation of around 30 participants, closely joined by neighboring New Zealand, resulting in almost 50 attendees from the Oceania region. The performance of the Australian team exceeded pre-event expectations, securing many medals, including several gold medals. Given that many team members were competing internationally for the first time, this success was a source of pride for the Australian contingent.
During the event, he had the privilege of reuniting with Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, the ITF President. He highlighted the importance of such moments and the opportunity to strengthen the bonds with the ITF President. He noted that the Australian ITF group, as one of the founding members of the ITF under President Choi in 2002, cherishes its long-standing relationship with Grand Master Choi, both on and off the dojang floor.
Apart from the competitive aspects of the World Games, the event was filled with memorable moments, including high-standard final matches and a spectacular opening ceremony that left a lasting impression. The team sparring and team patterns were particularly enjoyable to watch, adding an extra layer of patriotism and competitiveness to the event, and contributing to the overall atmosphere.
Master Muleta emphasized the importance of international collaboration and interaction during events of this magnitude. For Taekwon-Do enthusiasts, such events provide an exceptional opportunity to explore different parts of the world and forge friendships within the ITF family across the globe. He pointed out that these international activities help expand knowledge, experience, and appreciation for Taekwon-Do across diverse cultures, making it a vital aspect of the sport.
The Australian Taekwondo ITF Federation faces unique challenges due to its geographic distance from other countries, which limits support for domestic events. Additionally, it has not hosted a major ITF international event for nearly 20 years, making participation in international events expensive. Master Muleta expressed a desire for change, hoping that the organization can host more international events in the future and thereby retain more members who are tempted to join other groups for access to events in Australia.
Participating in the ITF World Games in Korea 2023 offered valuable lessons for both sports and management. Master Muleta, drawing from his professional background in sports education, event management, and administration, emphasized the importance of continually improving event mechanisms and processes. He stressed that organizations should be receptive to feedback, encouraging member engagement and providing high-quality service. With a focus on serving members as the primary responsibility, the Australian Taekwondo ITF Federation aims to set itself apart in a competitive market.
