British Taekwondo was proudly represented on the international stage last weekend as officials traveled to support the Portuguese Taekwondo Federation and the growth of Poomsae across Europe.
Master Carolina Barros Clark, the Education & Progression Manager for the British Taekwondo Poomsae Referee Department and International Referee, attended the event to support the officiating team and champion sporting integrity.
The 3rd Taekwondo Open “Mestre Armando Hilário” Taekwondo Beach Championship took place on Saturday 20th June at the Estádio do Viveiro Jordan Santos in Nazaré, Portugal.
Organized by Clube Taekwondo da Nazaré (CETN) and led by Championship Director Armanda Hilário, the tournament welcomed an impressive 445 entries across individual, pairs, teams, and freestyle categories, solidifying its place as a standout event on the European Taekwondo calendar.
A core highlight of the tournament was the official implementation of Portugal’s “White Card” initiative designed to instantly reward and promote exemplary sportsmanship in competitive environments.
Referees were actively encouraged to look beyond standard rules to recognize behaviors embodying Taekwondo’s core tenets of respect, integrity, and discipline.
In a powerful moment of fair play, British Taekwondo’s own Carolina Barros Clark awarded an official White Card to Spanish coach José María Vega (Taekwondo Club Neka Monforte) and athlete Carolina Baldé (Clube Taekwondo da Nazaré).
The card was publicly displayed during a paused match to acknowledge exceptional integrity, with the milestone permanently submitted to a national database tracking annual fair play rankings.
The unique beach setting saw athletes competing in Kup and Dan Poomsae divisions alongside dynamic Freestyle performances. To adapt to the summer coastal environment, competitors wore modified short-sleeve uniforms optimized for the sand, while referees maintained a polished, professional summer attire.
The Championship featured a highly competitive international profile, hosting seven Spanish teams and one French team alongside a strong Portuguese contingent. The quality of judging was overseen by World Taekwondo standards, with UK representation reinforcing the strong collaborative relationships built between European referees.
The event also earned institutional backing from the Municipality of Nazaré, the Nazaré Parish Council, and the Volunteer Firefighters, ensuring a safe, secure, and prestigious environment. To crown its success, the championship was awarded Portugal’s prestigious “Ethical Flag” seal, certifying its organizational excellence in promoting positive values and integrity in sport.
Through continuous international participation and landmark sporting initiatives, events like the Beach Poomsae Open continue to elevate the sport, proving how cross-border referee collaboration helps train, protect, and inspire the wider Taekwondo Poomsae community.
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