Local athletes shine at Inclusive World Championships, bringing home 10 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – October 2025:
Three Hawke’s Bay athletes have returned home as world champions after an incredible performance at the 3rd Inclusive Taekwon-Do World Championships, held in Jesolo, Italy, alongside the 23rd ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships, an event uniting over 75 countries and 2,500 participants, making it the largest in Taekwon-Do history.
Representing New Zealand ITF Taekwon-Do and the International Inclusive Taekwon-Do Association (IITA), the trio, Coby O’Neil, Jacob Cunningham, and William Thomas — all from Hawke’s Bay (Hastings, Napier, and Waipukurau) — won a combined 10 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal, proudly flying the New Zealand flag on the world stage.
Event Opened by ITF President Prof. Grand Master RI Yong Son and IITA President Ben Evans
The championships were officially opened in collaboration with President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation, Prof. Grand Master RI Yong Son, reinforcing the strong partnership between ITF Headquarters in Austria and the International Inclusive Taekwon-Do Association (IITA).
The IITA Headquarters, which leads global inclusive Taekwon-Do development, is proudly based in Hastings on King Street South, making Hawke’s Bay the international centre of this fast-growing movement.
Historic Opening Performance
For the first time in Taekwon-Do history, an International Inclusive Demonstration Team was formed, featuring athletes from New Zealand, Mozambique, South Africa, and Russia. The team performed at the Opening Ceremony of the ITF World Championships, earning a standing ovation from thousands of spectators and delegates — a turning point for inclusion within Taekwon-Do.
Global Representation
The Inclusive Championships featured over 100 competitors, with seven countries competing in person and a further ten nations competing online, including the Netherlands, Ethiopia, Greece, USA, Ireland, Russia, New Zealand, Mozambique, England, South Africa, Nepal, Spain, Uzbekistan, and Estonia — all united under the shared values of equality, respect, and perseverance.
Individual and Team Success
16yr old Coby O’Neil, a blue belt who has global developmental delay and other challenges, earned gold in Power Breaking, Jumping High Kick, and Inclusive Sparring, plus silver in Individual Patterns. He received the Trophy for Overall Best Competitor for his outstanding results. Was part of the team for Gold in Team Patterns.
21yr old Jacob Cunningham, a 2nd Degree Black Belt with autism and dyspraxia, won gold in Patterns, Unified Abilities Team Event, and Inclusive Sparring, plus bronze in Breaking. He also received the Trophy for Best Pattern Performance after flawlessly performing Choong-Jang Tul (2nd Dan Pattern). Jacob led the Team pattern to victory vs Ireland where the 2 teams performed same pattern. Despite his verbal chalkenges, he led the team to success.
15yr old William Thomas, who has cerebral palsy and fetal alcohol syndrome, showed exceptional courage and precision to win gold in Patterns, Team Patterns and was a vital part of the Unified Abilities Gold Medal.
Together, the trio captured gold in the Team Pattern event, a historic first for New Zealand’s inclusive martial arts community.
Their coach, Ayla Everton, received the Trophy for Best Coach, recognised for her dedication and expertise in Inclusive Sparring techniques.
Pride for Hawke’s Bay
New Zealand Team leader Ben Evans, President of NZ ITF and Founder of the International Inclusive Taekwon-Do Association, said the result demonstrates both Hawke’s Bay’s talent and the inclusive spirit of the sport.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our athletes achieved,” said Evans. “They’ve shown the world that Taekwon-Do is for everyone — regardless of ability or background. Their discipline, respect and perseverance represent the very best of Hawke’s Bay and of New Zealand.”
Evans said the inclusion of athletes with disabilities on the world’s biggest stage represents a major turning point in Taekwon-Do history.
“This was more than medals — it was about breaking barriers,” he said. “Our team made history, and their success will inspire many others to believe that anything is possible through Taekwon-Do. Our demonstration at the opening was seen by millions world wide where it was streamed online. We have since then seen more member countries join in Italy. A very good outcome with more opportunities ahead. Stay tuned and watch our space!”
