XI European Cup 2022 Report

The XI AETF European Cup was held in the period 6-10 June 2022 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Even with 300 competitors from 19 countries we can consider these numbers as success in consideration with the extremely short period for the organization of the delegations after the unexpected change of date and hosting country. The Championships took place on 3 rings with a team of 40 umpires leaded by AETF T&U Committee.

The organizer of the event Bulgarian Association of Taekwon-Do also provided a special competition for the smaller participants aged 8-11 years called Open Kids Quadrathlon Cup Sofia which included additional 91 competitors. This was a possibility of the younger competitors to enjoy all 4 main individual competition disciplines of Taekwon-Do - Pattern, Sparring, Special Techniques and Power test.

On the events was present the AETF President Master Leo Oros Duek and Vice-President Master Virginia Dionisi who had casual conversations with different country representatives following the policy of the new Board for open communication with all members.

Also an official dinner was organized by the Board members with T&U Committee where in a very friendly atmosphere was discussed important matters for enhancing the activity and productivity of the Committee.

During the opening ceremony of the competition the the guests enjoyed traditional Bulgarian dances of Gorna Banya ensemble from Sofia City and the performance of Junior and Senior Female Pattern of Argentina National Team. The President of AETF handed over gratitude letters of the official guests of the Competition: Mrs. Tatyana Georgieva - Chairman of Committee of Children, Youth and Spоrts in Sofia Municipal Council; Mr. Anatoli Iliev - Vice-President “Sofia – European Capital of Sport” Foundation, Municipal councillor in Sofia Municipality, His Excellency Alfredo Atanasof - Ambassador of Republic of Argentina in Bulgaria and Mr. Vencislav Ignatov - President of Bulgarian Association of Taekwon-Do, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the XI AETF Open European Cup and Open Kids Quadrathlon Cup “Sofia”.

The Board of Directors of AETF would like to express sincere gratitude to the organizers of the Event leaded by Mr. Vencislav Ignatov for the excellent organization in all levels and for giving attention in so many details as accommodation facilities, venue, security, care for sponsors, attention to VIP guests etc. It is highly appreciated the efforts of the host to organize one of the most significant competitions in the AETF calendar in such a short period in order to keep the traditions of Taekwon-Do in Europe.