A Different Kind of World Cup Came to Canada — and It Packed a Punch

As Canada welcomed the world for the FIFA World Cup, another global showdown was underway. On July 4 and 5, United Traditional Tae Kwon-Do Canada (UTTC) and its member schools hosted the 2026 Tae Kwon-Do International World Cup, a martial arts competition that brought athletes from more than 15 countries to Lethbridge, Alberta.

More than 500 competitors participated, ranging from beginners to elite black belts. Among the Canadian schools stepping onto the world stage was Redwood Meadows Tae Kwon-Do, whose athletes arrived ready to test their skills against top performers.

The two-day tournament featured a full slate of events, including individual and team patterns and sparring divisions in both point and continuous formats. The spotlight, however, shone brightest on the tournament’s marquee event: the five-person international team competition. In this high-stakes clash, each country fielded its top athletes for a 10-minute continuous match, with cumulative points determining the winner. When the final buzzer sounded, only one nation earned the title of International World Cup Champion. Team Canada delivered a strong showing, but the competition was fierce, and the UK team, with athletes from England, Scotland, and Wales, won the top spot.

As the world’s attention turned toward Canada in 2026, the Tae Kwon-Do International World Cup offered a powerful reminder that world-class competition extended far beyond the soccer pitch.

Redwood Meadows Results

Congratulations go out to our mighty Redwood Meadows team, who faced outstanding competition. We are incredibly proud of every athlete for stepping onto the mats, giving their best, and representing our school with such strong spirit.

Our team brought home four medals — an incredible achievement. Beyond the podium finishes, they gained valuable experience, made new friends, and created memories that will last a lifetime. Congratulations, team! Your hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship made us all proud.