The World Taekwondo Hall of Fame was created by the international governing body's Council at its meeting in Manchester in May 2019 ©World Taekwondo

World Taekwondo has announced that the first inductees into its Hall of Fame will be revealed at an official awarding ceremony in Bulgaria's capital Sofia later this year.

The event will coincide with the World Taekwondo Junior Championships, which are due to take place from October 14 to 18.

The World Taekwondo Hall of Fame was created by the international governing body's Council at its meeting in Manchester in May 2019.

Its aim is to recognise those who have made an extraordinary contribution to taekwondo as an Olympic sport during their careers.

World Taekwondo appointed vice-president Ahmed Fouly as the chair of the Hall of Fame Committee.

World Taekwondo appointed vice-president Ahmed Fouly as the chair of the Hall of Fame Committee ©World Taekwondo
World Taekwondo appointed vice-president Ahmed Fouly as the chair of the Hall of Fame Committee ©World Taekwondo

He will work with members – World Taekwondo secretary general Hoss Rafaty, World Taekwondo Council member Maria Borello, World Taekwondo Member Relations and Development Commission chair Jean-Marie Ayer and an independent consultant to be appointed by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue – to select the first tranche of inductees.

The inductees will be selected across four different categories: officials, athletes, coaches and lifetime contribution award.

The Hall of Fame Committee will identify a long list of candidates and conduct a meeting via conference call to agree the shortlist.

The achievements and suitability of the shortlist will be reviewed again before the Committee confirms the final list of inductees, which is scheduled to be presented to the Extraordinary Council Meeting on May 12.