May 7, 2026- (New York City)– The 2026 Kim Un Yong Cup NY Leaves World Class Impression. The 2026 Kim Un Yong Cup New York Championships was successfully held on Saturday, April 18 at Queens College, drawing approximately 3,000 attendees including executives, athletes, coaches, families, and spectators. The event established itself as one of the largest international Taekwondo festivals in the New York area.
The primary purpose of the tournament was to honor the legacy and achievements of the late Kim Un-yong and to educate students, instructors, and parents involved in Taekwondo about his tremendous impact on the global growth of the sport.
This year’s event featured an international-scale environment rarely seen in New York, welcoming participants from 10 different countries and operating with 18 International Referees.
The World Class Kyorugi division utilized the KPNP electronic scoring system along with international-standard competition mats. Matches were officiated by International Referees with experience at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Grand Prix events, providing athletes with a truly world-class competition experience.
In the Sport Poomsae division, 14m x 14m international-size mats were used to create a grand competition atmosphere. Pair and team poomsae divisions were operated using the side-by-side system commonly seen at major international championships. In addition, five International Referees with experience in Poomsae World Championships and various global events officiated the competition with professionalism and fairness.
The Festival Division, designed especially for first-time competitors, also received tremendous positive feedback. Each ring was supported by International Referees, U.S. National Referees, and volunteers from the NYU Sports Taekwondo Club, helping young athletes enjoy a memorable and encouraging first tournament experience.
The collaboration with the NYU Sports Taekwondo Team played a major role in creating a vibrant and smoothly operated event throughout the day. The event was further honored by the attendance of Executive Director Kim Jong Sung from the Kim Un-yong Sports Committee in Korea.
Following the event, many athletes, parents, and coaches commented that although numerous Taekwondo tournaments have been held at Queens College, this was among the most impressive and professionally organized events they had experienced.
As the second edition of the tournament, the 2026 Kim Un Yong Cup New York Championships significantly improved upon the inaugural event and delivered what many described as a near world-class tournament environment. The organizing committee stated that they plan to continue growing the event into one of the premier international Taekwondo championships representing New York.
