Exclusive: Historic London 2012 Helps Provide ‘catalyst’ for British Taekwondo Growth
May 1, 2013
British Taekwondo has grown ‘significantly’ since London 2012 due in part to the heroic efforts of gold medallist Jade Jones, who won British Taekwondo’s first ever gold at an Olympic Games.
Jones, 20, struck gold for Team GB in the women’s 57kg category during last summer’s Olympic Games and the President of British Taekwondo said her efforts have helped grow the sport in her home nation.
Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Adrian Tranter said: “We really are a household name and sport now, with our athletes so well known.
“The level of TV and media was of course unprecedented with it being a home Olympic Games and with Jade Jones securing that elusive first Gold medal for us it provided a most timely catalyst for our sports wider appeal.”
Immediately after London 2012, British Taekwondo recorded a 30% spike in activity through their website that resulted in a 20% increase in memberships during September and October 2012.
Tranter also added that the federation had a ‘wide range of other martial arts’ contacting them to transfer their style over to the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), something Tranter described as ‘very encouraging.’
For now, Tranter and British Taekwondo are looking to the future and maximising the impact of London 2012.
“The legacy the Olympics have provided is where we have to focus a great deal of our energies, making sure that these once in a lifetime opportunities are maximised to their fullest potential,” said Tranter.
“We are on track to do just that.”