President's Message for 2014 [January 3rd, 2013]

2013 Saw a very well organized 19th Junior and 28th Senior European Taekwon-Do Championships held in Skovde, Sweden, the implementation of the new tournament rules, the improvement of procedures in order to protect the health of all participants, consistent umpire training aimed to award the most impartial decisions at the highest ranked tournaments, many seminars, color and black belts’ exams, courses but also the raising number of participants in almost every kind of activity. These are in fact only some of the most important Taekwon-Do events that took place last year in Europe.

To summarize the last year it should be stated that it was the next dynamic year of development of Taekwon-Do ITF in Europe and worldwide.

In 2013 two outstanding and well known athletes finished their sports careers: Mr. Jaroslaw Suska from Poland - 6 times World Champion, 20 times European Champion in the individual pattern and Mrs. Katya Solovey from Ukraine – 2 times World Champion, 2 times World Cup Champion, 8 times European Champion and 2 times European Cup Champion in the individual sparring. These two eminent athletes, who were Taekwon-Do icons in their specialties for so many years, will start now the new part of their Taekwon-Do life. We hope that Taekwon-Do community will benefit in the future from their knowledge and unforgettable skills.

Two countries Ireland and Norway have changed their national status. By the decision of International Taekwon-Do Federation the National Associations in Ireland will be the Irish Taekwon-Do Association lead by Master Kenneth Wheatley and in Norway the National Taekwon-Do Norway lead by Master Per Andresen.

We are very pleased that International Taekwon-Do Federation Denmark, currently lead by Mr. Thomas Brandt, joined and have returned after many years to the ITF. We hope their association will develop and become an active member of our federation.

On 24th -27th April 2014 the 20th Junior and 29th Senior European Taekwon-Do Championships will take place in Riccione, Italy. The organizer has announced that not only a record number of competitors is expected but also the highest number of participating countries. The organizing committee have guaranteed that the organization will continue with the very high level as during the last Euros in Sweden, so we can expect a very exciting event. Even by today, over 200 people have declared their willingness to participate in the Euros in Italy. I invite you to visit and to like the official fanpage of European Championships 2014 on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/758305087530216/?fref=ts.

After a 26 years break the Hungarian ITF Taekwon-Do Federation will be the organizer of another high ranked competition. On 10th – 11th October 2014 the 6th European Taekwon-Do Cup will be held in Budapest, Hungary.

Three times we will have an opportunity in Europe to take part in the International Instructor Courses. They will be organized according to the following schedule:

All the newest updates about every upcoming event will be published on the official AETF website.

Taking into account the above mentioned, on behalf of the AETF Board of Directors, AETF Revisory Commission, all employees of the AETF Headquarters and myself, I would like to wish you a lot of health and happiness in the New Year 2014. I hope it will be a successful year and you will achieve the goals you’ve planned.

May 23rd – 25th, 2014	– Dublin, Ireland
September 26th – 28th, 2014	– Vienna, Austria
November 14th – 16th, 2014	– Treviso, Italy