Following his selection for the Great Britain team at the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, Zaw Torley is preparing to take on the world’s best with confidence, experience and an unwavering belief in the process that has brought him to this point.
The Championships, which take place in Chuncheon, South Korea, from 16–20 September, represent the pinnacle of international Poomsae competition, and for Torley, selection is the reward for years of dedication.
“I was quite pleased to be selected because I’ve worked very hard for this,” he said.
“I’ve been going around different competitions trying to collect ranking points because, at the World Championships, they really matter. They affect your seeding, so you can get a better draw.
“I’ve worked my whole life for this. Hopefully I can bring back a result.”
The Milton Keynes-based athlete trains with Arumchan Korea in Cambridgeshire, and will head to South Korea in excellent form after claiming gold at last month’s Oceania President’s Cup on the Gold Coast.
The victory is expected to propel him towards the world’s top ten in the Under-30 Male Individual rankings and has only strengthened his belief ahead of the biggest event of the year.
“I’ve set myself up pretty well,” he said, “Last month I was in Australia and won the Oceania President’s Cup. That kind of competition gives me confidence to go there and do my best.”
Representing your country is an honour that isn’t lost on Zaw, who is looking forward to testing himself against the best in the World in the home of Taekwondo in just over three months’ time.
Despite the significance of the occasion, Torley approaches competition with a calmness that comes from years of international experience.
Having competed in South Korea before, he already knows the venue that will host this year’s World Championships, adding a familiarity that will play in his favour when the competition gets underway.
“I’ve been to many big competitions and I’ve competed in Chuncheon before, so I’m comfortable there. When I’m walking onto the mats, it’s my playground. I’m having fun and enjoying myself.”
“It’s a privilege. Not everyone gets to represent their country and wear their flag on their sleeve.
“You always want more as an athlete. I’m setting myself up to win. I want to win, but you always have to remember to enjoy the journey.
“You have to work hard, but it’s not always about the end goal. It’s about the whole process. When you enjoy what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work. That’s where the passion comes from.”
South Korea has become a second home for Torley over recent years. Since first travelling there alone in 2023 at the age of 16, he has immersed himself in the country’s Taekwondo culture, building friendships and developing his skills in the birthplace of our Martial Art.
“It’s going to be great because I have a lot of friends out there, and I’m very comfortable with the language,” he said.
“When I first went there, I experienced a completely different level. Seeing that standard showed me what was possible. You learn from the best, and when you learn from them, you improve. I came home and won the European Championships that year.”
Alongside his individual event, Torley will also compete in the Under-30 Male Team competition with Nino Ontoy and Oluwatimilehin Akinrele. Having focused primarily on individual competition in recent years, the team event presents a fresh challenge that he is embracing.
“I haven’t competed in a team event for about six years,” he explained.
“In individual competition, everything is in my control. With the team event, it’s different because you have to work together. It’s a completely different skill set.
“At the same time, it’s nice because you’re not on your own. You’re with two other guys. You’re a team, and the spirit is there. It’s going to be good fun, and I’m looking forward to working hard with them.”
As the countdown to Chuncheon continues, Torley carries with him not only impressive international form but also the mindset of an athlete who understands that success is built through consistency, enjoyment and relentless hard work.
With confidence high and years of preparation behind him, he will travel to South Korea determined to make his mark on the world stage once again.
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