British Taekwondo is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Said Khelwatty as Technical Delegate and Master Kambiz R. Ali MBE as Chief Referee for the 2026 British Taekwondo National Poomsae Championships, taking place at the David Ross Sports Village later this year.
We are delighted to have to have Master Kambiz and Master Said leading our team for our National Poomsae Championships this year, and are confident their experience domestically and internationally will contribute to an outstanding event across the board.
Dr Said Khelwatty: Technical Delegate
Said (left) has been a British Taekwondo Non-Executive Director since 2017 and is a highly-respected member of our community, having represented Great Britain at European and World Championships during his Taekwondo career.
A 6th Dan Black Belt and 2011 Commonwealth Silver Medalist, Said is Chief Instructor and Managing Director of London Taekwondo Falcons in Hayes. Having been Chair of the Organising Committee for the G-1 2026 London International Open Poomsae Taekwondo Championships and G-3 President’s Cup staged at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre earlier this year, we are confident of delivering a National Poomsae Championships to remember in 2026.
Alongside his contributions to the national governing body, Said has played a leading role in shaping the sport internationally through positions with both World Taekwondo and the European Taekwondo Union, including serving as Chair of the World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Committee, a World Taekwondo Educator, as well as being appointed to the ETU Council in 2025.
Away from the dojang, Dr Khelwatty is an accomplished academic and researcher, holding a PhD in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics and leading research projects within higher education. His unique combination of sporting, educational and governance experience has enabled him to make a significant contribution to the development of Taekwondo at club, national and international level.
Passionate about inclusivity, education and athlete development, Said continues to champion opportunities for all members of the Taekwondo community while helping to strengthen British Taekwondo’s influence on the world stage.
Master Kambiz R. Ali MBE: Chief Referee
Master Kambiz R. Ali MBE returns to the role of Chief Referee in 2026 at the British National Poomsae Championships, having led the officiating team at the 2025 Poomsae Nationals last year at the David Ross Sports Village, Nottingham.
Master Kambiz has established himself as a leading figure within the British Taekwondo community and brings more than 30 years of experience as an athlete, coach, instructor, examiner and referee. The founder of Harrogate KTA, he holds a 7th Dan Kukkiwon Black Belt and is a World Taekwondo qualified Technical Delegate.
Having competed at National Championships and international Hanmadang events he possesses a deep understanding of the standards, pressures and expectations associated with major competitions. Since becoming an International Poomsae Referee in 2022, Master Kambiz has built an impressive reputation on the international stage, officiating at major G-Class tournaments across Europe, including the 2023 and 2025 European Poomsae Championships.
As Chief Referee, he will play a vital role in ensuring the 2026 British National Poomsae Championships are delivered to the highest possible standard by a team of highly experienced and respected referees from the UK and overseas.
Following his service at the 2025 British National Poomsae Championships Master Kambiz R. Ali MBE has continued to service the British Taekwondo community and maintain his standards of excellence. In the past 12 months, he has represented the UK as an international referee at the 2025 World Taekwondo President’s Cup European Edition – G3 in Innsbruck, Austria, as well as at the 2026 World Taekwondo President’s Cup European Edition – G3 which was held London at the start of May.
British Taekwondo is proud to welcome Master Kambiz back to the role and is confident the national Poomsae championships will continue to flourish and benefit from his guidance, expertise, leadership and unwavering commitment.
A Message from British Taekwondo CEO, Dave Marshall
“Master Kambiz and Master Said are highly respected members of the Taekwondo community whose extensive experience and expertise make them exceptionally well placed to support the delivery of this event.
“Their appointment reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards across all aspects of competition. We are confident that their leadership and professionalism will contribute significantly to a well-organised, successful championship that provides the best possible experience for all participants.”
The 2026 National Poomsae Championships will once again be a fantastic celebration of Poomsae in the UK, showcasing the talent, dedication, and passion of competitors from grassroots to international level.
With Master Kambiz and Master Said leading the team, we know the event is in excellent hands and we are all looking forward to a fantastic event at the David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham.
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