THF strongly believes that its projects can improve displaced persons’ quality of life, whether living in refugee camps or host countries, and increase their prospects as good global citizens.
THF is aiming to increase its reach by developing more
Urban Taekwondo Academies in
cities with large populations of displaced people. This
setting offers the perfect opportunity for
integration and social cohesion in the host
country, as both displaced persons and
locals can take part in training together.
GRASSROOT PROJECTS
TAEKWONDO ACADEMIES IN CITIES
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GRASSROOT PROJECTS
TAEKWONDO ACADEMIES IN REFUGEE CAMPS
Taekwondo Academies deliver
trainings and related educational
activities to refugees where
taekwondo instructors are dispatched
for long-term missions. These projects are designed to be sustainable and operate in the long-term, notably through the hiring of local staff and seeking the involvement of the national taekwondo association whenever possible.
Our coaches undergo specialist training before qualifying to teach in our projects
Following the success of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016, Olympic Solidarity (OS) launched the Refugee Athlete Support Programme which offers National Olympic Committees (NOCs) the opportunity to identify and support refugee athletes living in their host countries to prepare and participate in high-level competitions.
THF is contributing to the development of taekwondo refugees athletes chasing their Olympic dream
Kimia
ALIZADEH
From Iran
Cat. -58 kg
Won an Olympic bronze medal at Rio 2016 before becoming a member of the Refugee Olympic Team at Tokyo 2020 where she narrowly missed out on winning another medal
Dina Pouryounes
LANGEROUDI
From Iran
Cat. -49 kg
Qualified to compete with
the IOC Refugee Team at Tokyo 2020. Her focus is now on Paris 2024.
Mohammad EMAMI
From Iran
Cat. - 80kg
Won several medals at World Championships including Gold medal 2009 Asian Championships and 2012 World Military Championship.
He is now aiming to compete at 2024 Paris Olympics.
Wael Fawaz
AL-FARRAJ
From Syria
Cat. -58 kg
He has practiced taekwondo since 2016 at THF Azraq Refugee Camp and is training hard to qualify for Paris 2024
Yahya AL-GHOUTANI
From Syria
Cat. - 58kg
He is the 8th Taekwondo athlete to have been awarded a Refugee Athlete Scholarship for Paris 2024.
Kasra
MEHDIPOURNEJAD
From Iran
Cat. - 80kg
A champion in his country, he has a fighting spirit, and is looking to qualify for the next Olympic games.
Seyed Ehsan
NAGHIBZADEH
From Iran
Cat. -58 kg
A medalist several times in West Asia, Europe and at World Championships, he is currently training in Switzerland
AbdullahSEDIQI
From Afghanistan
Cat. -58 kg
Fighting with courage and
intensity at the Olympic in
Tokyo, he will come back
stronger in Paris.
Gasto
NSAZIMUKIZA
From D.R. of Congo
Cat. -61 kg
Devasted by tragedy but driven by hope, Gasto is a runner and taekwondo athlete with a fighting spirit.
Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) coach Parfait Hakizimana was included as a representative of his sport in the first-ever Refugee Paralympic Team in Tokyo.