WTF Press Release

The European Qualification Tournament will be the 6th and last qualification tournament for the London 2012 Olympic Games in which a total of 119 athletes from 39 countries will participate and only the top three athletes in each weight category will be awarded a quota place for upcoming Olympic Games.

The upcoming event is expected to be very exciting as it was proven at the World Qualification Tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan in June 2011 where European countries dominated the medal tally gaining 11 of the 24 quota places.

The traditional favorites that underachieved in Baku such as Spain, Turkey and Germany are expected to maximize this last opportunity in Kazan. Turkey won only one quota place in Baku last year, while Germany and Spain failed to win any place. 

Moreover, many top-tier athletes will be competing in Kazan. For example, Joel Gonzales of Spain who ranks top in the Men's under 58kg of the WTF World Ranking and won the gold medal in 2009 and 2011 WTF World Championships will be competing.

Another noticeable athlete is Pacal Gentil of France who has won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The seasoned veteran will compete in the upcoming tournament with the hope of qualifying for his third Olympic Games.

Click here to see the Athletes List with Ranking for the European Qualification Tournament. (The list may be subject to change)

Through the six qualification tournaments including the upcoming European tournament, the list of 120 qualified athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games will be finalized. On top of this, the host country, Great Britain has been automatically awarded four places, while the other four places will be allocated through tripartite consultation among the WTF, IOC and Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC), so called "wild card". A total of 128 taekwondo athletes will compete for their Olympic dream in London from August 8 to 11, 2012.