RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has strengthened its reputation as a host of international sporting events after successfully staging the 8th Asian Taekwondo Indonesia Open Championships 2026, a development expected to enhance the country's athlete development and preparations for major global competitions.

Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) chairman Marciano Norman said the successful organization of the continental tournament demonstrated Indonesia's growing capability in hosting international taekwondo events.

"The presence of Asia's taekwondo stage in Jakarta proves that the Indonesian Taekwondo Association (PBTI) has worked hard to advance the sport's achievements," Marciano said in an official statement released in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He made the remarks while inspecting the fifth and final day of the 8th Asian Taekwondo Indonesia Open Championships 2026 at the Indoor Tennis Arena of Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Jakarta.

The tournament, held from August 1 to 5, attracted 478 taekwondo athletes from 36 countries. Host Indonesia fielded 31 athletes, comprising 20 kyorugi competitors and 11 poomsae athletes from the PBTI national training camp.

Marciano praised PBTI for earning the trust of the Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU) to organize the prestigious event.

He said hosting international championships is a strategic step that showcases Indonesia's high standards in event management and hospitality to the global sports community.

Beyond enhancing Indonesia's image as an international event organizer, the tournament also provides Indonesian athletes with valuable exposure and competitive experience on the international stage. "This championship is also the culmination and evaluation of our long-term athlete development program," he said.

Marciano noted that taekwondo is an Olympic sport whose achievements are important for raising Indonesia's profile in world sports.

He expressed hope that following the tournament, PBTI would further strengthen its athlete development program in preparation for major events, including the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, the National Youth Games (PON Remaja), the 2028 National Sports Week (PON XXII) in East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"We hope these championships will produce Indonesian taekwondo athletes capable of competing at the world level and making meaningful contributions to the country's sporting achievements," he concluded. ***