Canada Announces Team for 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships
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Taekwondo Canada is pleased to announce its team for the 2026 World Junior Taekwondo Championships being held April 12-17. The championships, which will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, will feature a contingent of 24 members which includes 18 of the top Canadian Junior athletes (featuring eight women and ten men), competing at the top Junior competition on the World Taekwondo calendar this year. The complete team listing is as follows:
TEAM STAFF
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- Head of Team: Allan Wrigley
- Medical: Natalie Paladino
- Head Coach: Yohan Chang
- Team Coaches: Yoseph Chang, Redhouane Malek, Helbert Porter, Radomir Samardzic
ATHLETES
| Name | Event | Hometown | Club | Home Coach |
| Mackenzie Hill | W-42kg | Burlington, ON | Black Belt World Canada | Carla Bacco |
| Alessia Fetta | W-44kg | Laval, QC | CCMM Ultimate | Kassem Younes |
| Leigha Purificacion | W-46kg | Brampton, ON | Black Belt World Canada | Yohan Chang |
| Isla Estepa | W-49kg | Brampton, ON | Black Belt World Canada | Yohan Chang |
| Alexa Briones | W-52kg | Slave Lake, AB | AB Taekwondo Club | Alexander Briones |
| Mackenzie Behiels | W-55kg | Ottawa, ON | Phoenix Taekwondo Academy | George Koh |
| Evangeline Perez | W-63kg | Richmond, BC | Mudo Academy Martial Arts & Fitness | Susana Santa Maria |
| Lana Purificacion | W-68kg | Brampton, ON | Black Belt World Canada | Yohan Chang |
| Laith Al-Sahab | M-45kg | Oakville, ON | Black Belt World Canada | Yohan Chang |
| Marcus Lam | M-48kg | Toronto, ON | Black Belt World Canada | Yohan Chang |
| Rafael Cortez | M-51kg | Pincourt, QC | Twins Taekwondo | Nicholas Petrone |
| Zach Gillis | M-55kg | Vaughan, ON | Black Belt World Canada | Yohan Chang |
| Zineddine Chebli | M-59kg | Montréal, QC | Fighter Academy | Redhouane Malek |
| Omar Zemzemi | M-63kg | Montréal, QC | Club de défense expert | Redhouane Malek |
| Mohammed Rezki | M-68kg | Montréal, QC | Academie d’Arts Martiaux St-Leonard | Alex Naud |
| Nikola Samardzic | M-73kg | Ottawa, ON | Capital Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy | Radomir Samardzic |
| Leo Mazzone | M-78kg | Toronto, ON | Black Belt World Canada | Yohan Chang |
| Ronan Sinclair | M+78kg | Fall River, NS | Inner Strength Taekwondo Academy | Helbert Porter |
In preparation for the Junior World Championships, Taekwondo Canada High Performance Director Allan Wrigley said: “The 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships represent a critical milestone in the development pathway for our next generation of high performance athletes. This event provides a world class stage where Junior athletes can test themselves against the best in the world, gaining valuable experience as they progress toward the Senior ranks. For many, it is a meaningful step toward their long-term ambitions, including future qualification for the Olympic Games.”
“The Junior World Championships are also an important development opportunity for our coaching staff, providing an environment where they can continue refining their leadership, tactical preparation, and team management skills at the highest level. Creating these learning opportunities, both on and off the mat, is essential as we strive to build a sustainable and successful high performance system”.
About Taekwondo Canada
Taekwondo Canada is the official governing body for Taekwondo in Canada, overseeing the sport across all provinces and territories. Recognized by World Taekwondo, PATU, the International Olympic Committee, as well as the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees and Sport Canada, Taekwondo Canada is committed to excellence in the sport.
MISSION: Taekwondo Canada inspires and fosters excellence in Taekwondo, promoting health, community, and safe, accessible pathways for all participants. The organization is dedicated to supporting athletes and helping them reach their best through comprehensive development programs.
Contact:
Dave Harris
Executive Director
(519) 859-7410
[email protected]
