Canada’s only international taekwondo event happens in Montréal from February 4 to 9, 2025 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, and it’s going to be stellar. The 2025 Taekwondo National and Open will feature the top taekwondo athletes from Canada squaring off against the best in the world in top-class competition — including teams from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia in the first major sports event of the year.
Two life-changing events in one
The National Championships will be contested first, from February 4 to 6, with Taekwondo Canada then hosting the world’s best for the 2025 Canada Open, from February 7 to 9, all at the Montréal Convention Centre, aka the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
The strategic sequencing of the National Championships followed by the Canada Open supports athletes and coaches in their preparation for team selection and weight management protocols. In conducting the National Championships first, athletes have the opportunity to register for their preferred weight divisions for national team selection. Subsequently, those choosing to stay for the Canada Open can then make necessary adjustments to their weight classifications up until the general weigh-in (if needed), ensuring optimal participation and competitive readiness.
“It is our goal always to put the athletes’ needs first and foremost when creating our annual event calendar,” says Taekwondo Canada Executive Director Dave Harris. “Montréal has a long history of staging successful world-class events and we’re very excited to partner with Taekwondo Quebec to host our nation’s best on the same stage, and in the same week, that will welcome the world for the Canada Open,” he says.
A chance to see Olympians in action
The National Championships bring together approximately 450 athletes and coaches, while the Canada Open unites approximately 950 athletes and coaches competing in the premiere international event held in Canada each year. This is one of only two annual Open events held in North America. It’s what is called a G2 event, ensuring that athletes who travel from throughout the world to Canada receive maximum points for their participation in the competition. The points acquired by the athletes at the Canada Open are used for the world rankings by World Taekwondo. This year, the competition is going to feature athletes from over 40 countries, many of whom will go on to compete in future Olympic Games.
Two of the Canadian athletes competing already competed at the Paris Games: Skylar Park, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was a bronze medalist, while Josipa Kafadar, from Burnaby, British Columbia, competed in Paris in her first Olympic Games. We are honoured to have this chance to see them compete.
Cheat sheet
Event: 2025 Taekwondo National and Open
Dates: February 4 to 9, 2025
Organized by: Taekwondo Canada
Attendees expected: 1,200
Venue: Palais des congrès de Montréal
X: @tkd_canada
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