(May 19, 2025) - Mental health in sport is a challenge we can’t afford to ignore. It’s something we talk about more than we used to, but real action still lags behind. That’s why World Taekwondo is making a commitment – not just for one competition, or one year, but as an ongoing effort to support athletes, coaches, officials, and staff in managing the mental side of sport.

 

We’re not saying we have all the answers. Not every competition will be able to roll out the full set of initiatives, and not everyone will be on board right away. But this commitment gives us a guiding star, a clear direction of where we want to go. We’ll keep chipping away at it, taking what we learn and improving as we go.

 

Taking Action: Chuncheon 2024 and Beyond

We kicked things off at the Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, where we ran a mental health support program to test out what works. Using Omnifit MINDCARE kiosks, we were able to assess stress levels, brain activity, and fatigue in athletes, coaches, and other participants.

 

The results were eye-opening. 63% of participants showed high or very high levels of brain stress. That’s a big deal. It reinforces what we already knew: competing at this level is mentally demanding, and we need to do more to help.

 

Now, we’re taking that learning and applying it to our next event. At upcoming competitions in Kenya, China, and Uzbekistan later this year, we’re rolling out a Mental Health Resource Pack, giving young athletes practical tools to recognize mental health challenges, use self-care strategies, and understand how sport can support their well-being​.

 

What We’re Aiming For

At each event, we’ll do what we can, step by step, to embed mental health support into the Taekwondo experience. Some of the key things we want to keep building on include:

 

• Safe spaces – Quiet areas, sometimes in nature, at and around competitions where athletes can take a breath, reset, and access support.
• Expert guidance – Having professionals like sports psychologists and nutritionists available when possible.
• Education and resources – Whether it’s digital or printed, athletes and coaches need access to simple, actionable mental health tools.
• Incorporating mental health into our culture – From weight management guidance to anti-doping education, we want mental well-being to be part of the bigger picture.
• Long-term vision – We’re not just looking at competitions. We’re exploring ways to build legacy projects, work with our Member National Federations, and engage with local schools to keep the conversation going.

 

The Road Ahead

We’re not expecting instant results, but every step forward is a win. The Chuncheon pilot gave us valuable insights, those upcoming competitions will help us take the next step. From there, we’ll keep refining, testing, and advocating for mental health support to be a permanent fixture in Taekwondo.

 

We know this isn’t just a World Taekwondo issue – it’s a sports-wide issue. If we can push this forward, not just for our athletes but for the entire sporting world, we’ll know we’ve done something truly meaningful.

 

Let’s keep moving.