INSTRUCTORS
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Owner and Director of Queens Taekwon-Do Center.
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Member of the ITF International Umpire Committee.
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Member of ITC Committee for the Development of The Caribbean and Central America.
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Board of Directors, Unified ITFA.
"Bringing Taekwon-do to everyone around the globe!"
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LATEST NEWS
179th International
Instructors Course
The 179th International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) International Instructors Course (IIC) was held in Jamaica at the National Sports Complex, Kingston, from Friday, August 23 to Saturday, August 24, 2024. This IIC was organized and hosted by the Jamaica Taekwon-Do Association.
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​We are pleased to report that there was a total of 82 participants from around the world including Trinidad & Tobago, United States of America, Barbados, Canada, Dominica Republic, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. The environment was a lovely one with friendships being renewed. The participants were afforded the opportunity to enjoy the Jamaican culture, the food, the music, the beautiful people, and the beaches. The IIC sessions being conducted from 8:45 am to 4:30 pm daily. Participants shared high praises for the quality of the presentation for this IIC by the ITF Technical Committee and the Organization Committee.
43rd Qualifying International Umpire Course
The 43rd Qualifying International Umpire Course was held on 24th and 25th February 2024, in La Guardia Plaza Hotel, New York, USA.
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It consisted of a 2-day period for a total of 12 hours. It was delivered in English and Spanish, the two official languages of the ITF.
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There were 87 participants from 10 countries (in alphabetical order): Anguilla, Canada, China, Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and USA. It is important to highlight the active participation of eight (8) ITF Grand Masters.
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The course was conducted by the ITF Umpire Committee, led by the ITF UC Chair, Grand Master Abelardo Benzaquén (Argentina), and Master Kurt Ottesen, member of the Umpire Committee (Canada) with the special participation of the Organizer of the event, Grand Master Rubén Suárez (USA), also a member of the Umpire Committee.
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During the two days of the international course,
the participants had the opportunity to learn about the ITF Rules of Competition in theoretical and practical mode, and all enjoyed the “tournament mode,” where most of the participants could train with the official ITF electronic system.
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The ITF Umpire Committee wants to express its gratitude to the Organizing Committee of the 43rd QIUC, leaded by GM Suárez, and also to all the participants and very specially to the ITF Board, leaded by GM Paul Weiler for their support.
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Grand Master Abelardo Benzaquén
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ITF UC Chairman
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El curso de Árbitros Internacional número 43º se llevó a cabo los días 24 y 25 de Febrero del 2024, en el Hotel La Guardia Plaza, Nueva York, Estados Unidos.
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Consistió de un fin de semana de 2 días, con un total de 12 horas. Fue dictado en inglés y en español, los dos idiomas oficiales de la ITF.
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Hubo 87 participantes de 10 países (en orden alfabético): Anguila, Canadá, China, Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, México, Puerto Rico, República Dominicana y Estados Unidos.
Es importante destacar la participación activa de ocho (8) Grandes Maestros ITF.
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El curso fue impartido por el Comité de Árbitros de la ITF, encabezado por el Presidente de la ITF UC, Gran Maestro Abelardo Benzaquén (Argentina), y el Maestro Kurt Ottesen, miembro del Comité de Árbitros (Canadá) con la participación especial del Organizador del evento, Gran Maestro Rubén Suárez (EE.UU.), también miembro del Comité de Árbitros.
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Durante los dos días del curso internacional,
los participantes tuvieron la oportunidad de conocer las Reglas de Competición de la ITF en modo teórico y práctico, y todos disfrutaron del “modo torneo”, donde la mayoría de los participantes pudieron entrenar con el sistema electrónico oficial de la ITF.
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El Comité de Árbitros de la ITF quiere expresar su agradecimiento al Comité Organizador del QIUC número 43, liderado por el GM Suárez, y también a todos los participantes y muy especialmente al Board de la ITF, encabezado por el GM Paul Weiler, por su apoyo.
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Grand Master Abelardo Benzaquén
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ITF UC Chairman
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ITF AMERICA UMPIRES
AT THE WORLD CUP FINLAND, 2023
Congratulations to the ITF America Umpires representing
our federation in the World Cup in Finland this year.
Gm Ramirez
Máster Naranjo
Máster Mejía
Máster Bernard
Master Ranieri
Master Perez
Master Benites
Mr. Rupert Shrouder
Mr Poteet.
Advanced Black Belt Test
Colombia, August 2023
On behalf of the International Taekwon-o Federation and with the authorization of GM Marano, we (GM Gonzalo Camelo - ITF Plaque #105000; GM Carlos Ramirez - ITF Plaque #607741 and myself, GM Ruben Suarez - ITF plaque # 102003) tested Mr. Andrés Rivadeneira for 5th degree.
Before testing him, we asked him to get authorization from the Japan Federation, which he got. He needed to have his paperwork in order, including the yearly payment for his 2023's plaque, and he needed to comply with the ITF minimum requirements for this level.
We want to manifest that Mr. Rivadeneira did a good test, receiving a 7/10 score 7/10. His technique was good, and even though there is always room for improvement, he will continue working on his technique.
At the end of the seminar, we announced the results in front of all IIC participants: the president of the ITF GM Wiler, GM Marano, Chairman of the IIC, and GM Un Kim Lang.
