01/07/2026
Dear Masters, let us all take a moment to think seriously about this.
Currently, many Taekwondo competitions held in Ethiopia are organized under the name of an "Open Tournament."
However, if we look closely at the actual contents, we have to ask whether these are truly open tournaments.
This is because many tournaments have the following restrictions:
• National Team athletes are not allowed to participate.
• Ethiopian Sports Academy athletes are not allowed to participate.
• Former National Team athletes are restricted from participating.
If these restrictions exist, can we truly call it an "Open Tournament"?
An open tournament should be open to everyone.
Whether an athlete is highly skilled or just beginning, every competitor should have the opportunity to compete on the same stage.
Of course, tournament organizers often explain their reasons:
• "Club athletes need to win medals so that clubs can grow."
• "If National Team athletes participate, the difference in skill is too great."
• "There will be too many knockouts (KOs), and the risk of injuries will increase."
• "Regular athletes may give up participating."
These concerns are understandable.
However, is preventing certain athletes from participating really the right solution?
Excluding strong athletes does not improve the level of Taekwondo.
On the contrary, athletes improve by experiencing higher-level competition.
Therefore, I would like to suggest the following practical improvements.
First,
A tournament with participation restrictions should not be called an "Open Tournament."
If certain athletes are restricted from participating, then it is, strictly speaking, a restricted club tournament, not a true open tournament.
Second,
Tournaments should be divided into a Level 1 / Level 2 system.
Level 2
Development tournaments mainly for regular club athletes.
Level 1
A true open tournament where everyone can participate, including National Team athletes, Ethiopian Sports Academy athletes, and other top-level competitors.
In addition, champions of Level 2 tournaments should automatically be promoted to Level 1.
Athletes who are already competing at Level 1 should not be allowed to return and compete in Level 2.
This system protects developing athletes while also allowing top athletes to compete freely.
Simply preventing strong athletes from participating is not the solution.
Creating a well-structured competition level system is the real path toward development.
Finally, I would like to emphasize one important point.
If the organization hosting a tournament has rules stating that "certain athletes are not allowed to participate," then that tournament should not be promoted as an "Open Tournament."
Coaches and leaders should be honest with their students.
Instead of creating a system that is "open" in name only, we should build a genuine stage where athletes can dream, challenge themselves, and compete fairly.
For the future development of Taekwondo in Ethiopia, it is now time for honest discussion and realistic improvements to our competition system.
#에티오피아
#국기원 #인간극장 #김도진 #유퀴즈
#에티오피아간김사범부부 #계명대학교 #경북체육고등학교 #해병대