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Minsk hosting International Taekwondo Federation's Junior and Veteran World Championships

Minsk has been hosting the International Taekwondo Federation's Junior and Veteran World Championships since August 25, BelaPAN reports.

Founded in 1966, the International Taekwondo Federation develops the non-Olympic style of taekwondo and describes it as a martial art rather than a sport. The ITF has recently been splintered into three different groups, all claiming to be the original.

The Junior World Championships feature athletes aged between 14 and 18, while taking part in the Veteran World Championships are people aged 39 and over.

According to Vyachaslaw Byarzhets, executive director of the Belarusian Taekwondo League, some 650 athletes from over 50 countries are participating in the event.

"Athletes from North Korea have become the tournaments' favorites. Russia has fielded a strong team, while Belarusian athletes also have had a very successful performance. We have won one gold, two silver and five bronze medals to date," he said.