Ten refugee children at the Azraq Syrian refugee camp in Jordan and around 30 WT Cares Programme taekwondo students in Nepal, Cambodia and Sri Lanka will participate in the inaugural event. 

Organised by the GCS International Portland USA Chapter and the US World Class Taekwondo Association, competition begins today and runs until Sunday (June 7).

It is expected to draw more than 300 athletes from 20 countries.

Athletes will compete across the individual poomsae, individual freestyle poomsae, pairs poomsae, team poomsae, and weapon form. 

"As President of both World Taekwondo and GCS International, I appreciate Dr. Selma Li, GCS Portland USA Chapter President, for organising this first COVID-19 Virtual Taekwondo Championships," said WT President Choue Chung-won.

"In these COVID-19 pandemic times, most countries are under a lockdown situation and taekwondo practitioners are under home training.

"My special appreciation goes to the refugee children at the Jordan Humanitarian Taekwondo Centre and taekwondo students of the WT Cares Programme in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Cambodia, who are participating in this virtual Championship.

"I wish this event a great success and want to see more virtual taekwondo events, which will give hope and dreams to children in need of global support.

"In these difficult COVID-19 times, we all have to further promote the three GCS spirits of goodwill, cooperation and service dedication. 

"Taekwondo can be an effective tool to help promote world peace."