Just three years ago, Evie Co was taking her first steps into competitive Taekwondo. Now, she is preparing to represent Great Britain at the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae World Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea, where she will compete against the world’s best from September 16-20.
Evie’s journey is an inspiring success story. After making her competitive debut on the club circuit in 2023, she earned selection to the GB Poomsae squad that same year before making her World Championship debut in Hong Kong in 2024 – little more than 12 months after first stepping onto the mats in competition.
The rapid rise from grassroots Taekwondo to the biggest stage in the sport is testament to Evie’s talent, dedication and willingness to embrace every opportunity.
Now, with valuable international experience behind her and a European Championship medal to her name, she is preparing for another unforgettable experience as the World Championships head to the birthplace of Taekwondo.
“It’s very exciting, I must say,” she said at a recent training session. “It’s very exciting and I’m very happy. It’s going to be big, it’s going to be very big.
“I think the nerves make it better as well. You’ve got your teammates there cheering you on, so it’s going to be good, it’s going to be exciting.
“It will be an electric feel around the arena when everyone is cheering you on.”
The opportunity to compete in Korea holds special significance for athletes across the world, with the country recognised as the home of Taekwondo. For Evie, the chance to experience both the competition and Korean culture makes this year’s championships even more memorable, and she cannot wait to immerse herself in the atmosphere that only a World Championships can provide.
After making her World Championship debut in Hong Kong in 2024, Evie went on to claim a bronze medal at the 2025 European Poomsae Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. That success has provided another important milestone in her development as she prepares to return to the biggest stage in the sport.
Reminiscing on that 2024 trip to Hong Kong, she said: “It was exciting, but very nerve-wracking at the same time because there was a lot of pressure. I was a first-year junior and didn’t have a lot of experience on the competition side of things.
“It was a big step up, but it was exciting and I was willing to take the risk.
“Hong Kong was amazing, and it’s just going to be even better in Korea. It will be a mix of nervousness and excitement, but that’s what makes it really good.”
In Chuncheon, Evie will compete in the U17 Female Team event alongside Erin Bannon of Ascend Taekwondo and Sun-Yi Kelly of Nomad Taekwondo, as well as alongside Gabriel Casaclang of Win Taekwondo in the U17 Pair event.
Although Evie and Sun-Yi are based close to each other and Erin trains in Formby, distance has never been a barrier. The trio regularly work together through national squad training sessions, Zoom calls and video analysis, ensuring every detail of their performance is refined ahead of competition.
Their commitment to improving together has helped build a strong partnership, while the support they provide one another continues to drive them to raise their standards every time they step onto the mat.
For Evie, Taekwondo has been a constant throughout her childhood. She first stepped into the dojang at the age of seven and quickly discovered a passion for Poomsae after her coach recognised her natural flexibility.
Those local club sessions eventually turned into competitive Poomsae, before making the step up to the national team and representing Great Britain on the world stage. It’s safe to say that Evie’s progression has been nothing short of remarkable.
Her journey demonstrates how athletes can rise through the British Taekwondo Poomsae Performance Pathway with hard work, commitment and a willingness to embrace every opportunity.
Now, she has the chance to compete once again among the very best in the world, this time in the home of Taekwondo itself. While there will be plenty of eyes watching on in Chuncheon, Evie’s attitude is one of pure excitement.
“It’s just all about having fun.”
Whether it is a local club event or the biggest stage of them all, Evie is getting to do what she loves the most, and she is making sure to enjoy every second.
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