British Taekwondo is pleased to see three members of the British Taekwondo community take part in the 65th World Taekwondo Poomsae International Referee Seminar, being held in Tirana, Albania, from 8–11 September 2026.
The four-day seminar has brought together 44 participants from 23 countries as part of World Taekwondo’s International Referee Development Programme, which aims to strengthen the development of international referees and provide greater access to high-quality referee education.
Among those representing British Taekwondo at the seminar are Aaron Leith of K.R. Ali Taekwondo Academy, Abdul Qoreishi of London Taekwondo Association and Siew Kim Lee of NTC Nottingham. While British Taekwondo Non-Executive Director and World Taekwondo Para Taekwondo Lecturer Dr Said Khelwatty was also present at the Opening Ceremony to welcome attendees from across the World.
Participants are receiving comprehensive education on the latest World Taekwondo Poomsae Competition Rules and Interpretation, alongside both theoretical and practical referee training. The programme also includes hands-on work with scoring equipment, followed by written and practical examinations to assess participants’ understanding and application of international refereeing standards.
The seminar also marks the first implementation of the World Taekwondo International Referee Development Programme within the European Taekwondo Union region, providing an important opportunity to expand referee development across Europe.
For British Taekwondo, the participation of Aaron, Abdul and Siew Kim represents a positive step in the continued development of officials within the British Taekwondo community. International referee education plays an important role in supporting the growth of Poomsae and ensuring officials have the knowledge and experience required to operate at the highest levels of the sport.
Siew Kim Lee said: “Representing British Taekwondo at the International Referee Seminar is both a profound honour and the natural progression of my journey serving on the UK circuit. Stepping onto the world stage fills me with immense pride, drive, and a deep responsibility to uphold our national association’s highest standards of integrity and technical excellence.”
Aaron Leith said: “I am incredibly proud and honoured to be representing Great Britain at the 65th World Taekwondo International Poomsae Seminar in Albania.
“It is a privilege to be part of such a prestigious event and to have the opportunity to learn, develop, and share this experience with outstanding practitioners from around the world.
“I would also like to wish the very best of luck to all my fellow British representatives attending the seminar. I look forward to embracing every challenge, gaining valuable knowledge, and representing Great Britain with pride.
“A special thank you to my mentor, Master Kambiz Ramzan Ali MBE, and everyone at K.R.Ali Taekwondo Academy for your constant support, guidance, and encouragement. Your belief in me has made this opportunity possible, and I am truly grateful for everything you have done throughout my journey.”
Abdul Qoreishi said: “I’m proud to represent British Taekwondo at the International Referee Seminar in Albania. I’m excited for this opportunity to continue developing as a referee.”
British Taekwondo would like to congratulate Aaron, Abdul and Siew Kim on their participation and wish them every success throughout the remainder of the seminar and the examinations.
Siew Kim Lee named Best Female Student
We are also delighted to congratulate Siew Kim Lee on being awarded Best Female Student at the 65th World Taekwondo Poomsae International Referee Seminar.
This recognition reflects Kim’s dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence within the international Taekwondo community. Earning this distinction – awarded by Dr Khelwatty – when there are so many participants from around the world is a truly outstanding accomplishment.
The British Taekwondo Poomsae Referee Department praised Kim’s continued contribution and dedication to officiating: “As a department, we are especially proud to see one of our own receive such prestigious recognition. Kim’s achievement is an inspiration to all referees and demonstrates the highest standards of learning, leadership, and passion for Poomsae.
“Congratulations, Kim, on this well-deserved honour. We celebrate this achievement with you and look forward to seeing your continued success on the international stage.
“The entire Poomsae Referee Department is cheering you on and is incredibly proud of your achievement!”
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.