ITF Netherlands facilitates the Master Series tournaments, to develop competitive ITF Taekwon-Do in The Netherlands. In close cooperation with our member clubs, we realize amazing events like the Open Dutch, organized by Master Willy van de Mortel and his team. Coming January 26th is the next edition. We interviewed Master Willy!

This Open Dutch we’re expecting around 750 competitors (around 1350 entries), from 20 countries at minimum: please take us from then to now, how did you get to this point - and why
About 14 years ago I started with the first international tournament, called the “Open Brabant”. Eventually we switched to the more internationally appealing name “Open Dutch”.

Along the way we switched locations a couple of times, to be able to handle the growth of the tournament, and to deliver a better service to the athletes, the umpires, the coaches and the supporters. During the years we have gathered a team that really helps us realize the full potential of the tournament with the amazing effort they put into the Open Dutch.

My work as a national coach in countries like Slovenia, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand - and of course Norway - has certainly contributed to the growing interest in the Open Dutch.

But of course giving seminars around the world is an important factor to build relations.

What are you looking forward to the most, coming January 26th?

The thing I’m looking forward to the most is welcoming many Taekwon-Do friends I have had the honor to work with, and shared so many great experiences with, right here, in Helmond. This is one of the most beautiful aspects of our ITF Taekwon-Do community.

Has the Open Dutch come full circle, or is there more in store for us?

Whether I have more in store? You know, you are working at such a project for a year and new improvements are already planned for 2020. It is very important to keep listening to the people that grace you with their presence and do something with their feedback. But I promise: there is more where this came from :)

Visit www.open-dutch.nl for registration and information!