MOSCOW – As the World Taekwondo season culminated with the Grand Prix Finals in Moscow, Russia, FISU President Oleg Matytsin was conferred with an honorary 7th dan black belt. The seventh-degree black belt, often the first rank that receives the title ‘kwan jang nim’ or grandmaster was conferred upon Matytsin during the World Taekwondo annual Gala held on 7 December.
This honour comes on the back of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two federations last month in Turin, Italy during the International University Sports Federation’s General Assembly. During the FISU Gala that was held during the two-day assembly, World Taekwondo had been given the ‘Best Support from an International Federation’ award for its collaboration with FISU.
Following the inclusion of the sport on the programme of the FISU Summer Universiade as a compulsory sport since 2017, World Taekwondo has continued to work with FISU in the development and implementation of the sport, focusing on gender equality, innovation and equal opportunities for all participants. The work done by the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, focused on refugees and asylum-seekers worldwide is also appreciated by FISU.
World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue expressed his hopes for continuing the cooperation as he presented the 7th dan black belt certificate to Oleg Matytsin.
The FISU President thanked Dr Choue for the success of Taekwondo at the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade and said that Taekwondo was one of the best tools for promoting such values as friendship, dignity and mutual respect.
Mr Matytsin also presented the World Taekwondo Gala Award to the best female referee of the year, Ksenia Levai from Serbia.
FISU President Oleg Matytsin presents the World Taekwondo Gala Award to the best female referee of the year, Ksenia Levai from Serbia
