Young taekwondo athletes compete during the Kim and Liù tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
ROME — The historic Foro Italico complex has transformed into a sprawling, dual-level arena for global taekwondo this weekend, running Europe’s largest youth martial arts tournament concurrently with an elite international Grand Prix.
The Kim and Liù tournament has drawn a formidable field of approximately 2,000 children between the ages of 6 and 11 from across Europe. Named after two fictional characters from an educational comic book created nearly two decades ago by the Italian Taekwondo Federation, the event operates as an immersive youth sports festival, blending the intensity of technical form competitions and age-bracketed sparring with foundational educational activities.
Young taekwondo athletes check their gear before a match for the Kim and Liù tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Far more than just a grassroots festival, the tournament has long served as the essential incubator for Italy’s national team. It was at previous Kim and Liù events that current titans of the sport — including Olympic medalist Vito Dell’Aquila and world champion Simone Alessio — took their very first competitive steps.
Operating under the bold theme “Taekwondo to the Future!” this year’s edition pushes that legacy further. By expanding its youth Para Taekwondo categories and entirely waiving their registration fees, organizers are ensuring that the sport’s next era of champions is accessible to everyone.
A young taekwondo athlete share a moment with her coach during the Kim and Liù tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The simultaneous scheduling places the Kim and Liù festival within 30 meters of the Rome 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix, creating a direct link between the sport’s grassroots and elite levels. This proximity allows the young competitors, who represent the next generation of Italian taekwondo, to study the techniques and preparation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes firsthand rather than from afar.
Two young taekwondo athletes comfort each other after a match of the Kim and Liù tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
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