The French taekwondo team travelled to the home of the sport, South Korea, for a gruelling preparation tour from February 18 to March 4 ©FFTDA

The French taekwondo team travelled to the home of the sport, South Korea, for a gruelling preparation tour from February 18 to March 4.

With the next World Taekwondo Championships due to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 29 to June 6, and the home Games in Paris just over 500 days away, the young delegation from the French Taekwondo Federation (FFTDA) enjoyed a hugely valuable series of test matches.

A total of 108 fights were organised against formidable Korean opponents, hosted by four different universities in Seoul - Hankuk Tchédé - the Korean National Sports University - Sae Jong University, Yong In University, and Kyung Hee University.

Lee Dong-sup, left, gave the team a guided tour of the World Taekwondo headquarters ©French Embassy in Seoul
Lee Dong-sup, left, gave the team a guided tour of the World Taekwondo headquarters ©French Embassy in Seoul

Between training sessions, the French group visited the World Taekwondo headquarters at the Kukkiwon.

The group was given a guided tour of the institution by its President Lee Dong-sup.

They also explored the Seoul 1988 Olympic site and were received at the French Embassy in Korea by French Ambassador Philippe Lefort.