For Louis Exton, nothing has shaped the person he is today more than Taekwondo.
After dedicating almost three-quarters of his life to the Martial Art, the young GB Poomsae athlete has earned another opportunity to represent Great Britain on the biggest stage after being selected for the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, taking place in Chuncheon, Korea, from September 16-20.
It will be Louis’ second appearance at the global event, having already enjoyed a memorable debut in 2024 where he claimed bronze in the U17 Male Team event alongside Peter Sellwood and Gabriel Casaclang in Hong Kong. Two years on, the trio will reunite in Korea in September with their sights set on another podium finish.
Selection for this year’s event is the reward for years of unwavering commitment from the London-native. Whether training individually at home or at his PremierKi club, refining team routines during national squad sessions or joining teammates on Zoom to perfect every movement, Louis leaves no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence.
That dedication has been reflected in his performances during his fledgling Taekwondo journey, with a string of impressive displays in domestic and international competition.
In fact, he heads to Korea as European Champion, having won gold in the U17 Pair event with Adrianna Beard at the 2025 European Poomsae Championships, underlining his place among Europe’s brightest young Poomsae talents.
Now, the challenge moves to Korea – the birthplace of Taekwondo – where competing carries a unique significance for every athlete.
“It will be amazing, especially because it is being held in Korea, somewhere where the sport is so appreciated,” Louis said.
“Walking onto the mats, it’s incredible! Last time it was so big and unexpected to see the level of the athletes, so it was really inspirational to see. Everyone there was just incredible and it was really motivating.
“I think it’s really helped me work a lot harder to this point now.”
While medals are always the aim, Louis’ focus remains on producing his very best performance. With the familiar faces of Peter and Gabriel alongside him, the teenage talent is eager to experience Poomsae at the highest level once again later this year.
“I’ll be happy as long as we go there and do our best, that’s what we did last time and we managed to do really well.
“It was an amazing experience and it’ll be amazing to have that happen again if we can achieve it. We just have to do our best and I’ll be proud of that.”
Since earning his first GB selection in 2021, Louis has experienced two European Championships and one World Championships – opportunities he describes as the best experiences of his life.
Those experiences would have seemed unimaginable when he stepped onto the mats for the first time at four years old, having following in his older brother’s footsteps.
“I started 13 years ago. My brother started it first. We just thought it would be fun at first and that it would be good for self-defence and general life skills, because you learn so much about respect in Martial Arts.”
Since then, Taekwondo has become a way of life for Louis, with every pattern practised incessantly and every movement memorised. National and international recognition soon became something of a regularity, something he didn’t even know was a possibility in his formative years.
“Over the years I got more and more competitive and I started to do competitions. I did well at those, kept going up through the belts, did all the gradings and eventually got to this level where I’m going all over the world.
“When I started, I didn’t even know there were World Championships or European Championships, anything like that. So when I started to go to those huge competitions it was incredible and nothing like I could have expected.
“Taekwondo has definitely made me the person I am today; it’s made me persevere a lot, not just while I’m training but at schoolwork and other things in life as well.
“I don’t just give up. It’s helped me set my eyes on a goal and then work out what to do to achieve it.”
That mindset has carried Louis from a young beginner discovering the sport for the first time to one of Great Britain’s leading junior Poomsae athletes.
His dedication, relentless work ethic and consistently high standards have already earned success on the European and world stage, and now another opportunity awaits in the home of Taekwondo.
Nothing compares to the atmosphere of competing at a World Championships, and with invaluable experience already behind him, Louis will travel to Chuncheon determined to once again showcase his talent among the very best in the world.
Whatever the outcome, his journey is already an inspiring example of where passion, perseverance and commitment can lead, and we look forward to watching him continue to raise the bar on the biggest stage later this year.
Do you want the chance to emulate Louis and represent Great Britain on the world stage? Join us at one of our Poomsae Performance Camps held across the UK to experience elite level coaching and give yourself the chance to be part of the British Taekwondo Poosmae Development Pathway.
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