G1 Spanish Open brings together the best taekwondo players from 34 countries this Sunday in Benidorm

G1 International Spanish Open brings together this Sunday, April 18, at Palau d'Esports l'Illa de Benidorm the best taekwondo players from 34 countries, in a test prior to the Olympics and the European pre-Olympic next month in Sofia ( Bulgaria), as reported today by the Councilor for Sports, Mariló Cebreros, and the Secretary General of the Royal Spanish Taekwondo Federation, José María Pujadas.

Mariló Cebreros has indicated that the 2021 Spanish Cup of Olympic Taekwondo in the junior and cadet categories will begin on Friday, with the participation of 149 athletes and 50 'coaches' (their physical trainers), while on Saturday 237 taekwondo players will do so with 80 coaches, representatives of the territorial federations and clubs from all over the country.

Already on Sunday, G1 International Spanish Open will be held, in which representatives from 34 countries will compete: Mexico, France, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Congo, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, Gabon, Portugal, Russia, Norway, Palestine, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Croatia, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Norway, Nicaragua, Mali, Martinique, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Tunisia, Andorra. In total, 333 athletes and 134 physical trainers are registered, led by 40 international referees.

Cebreros has specified that some of these countries go with their teams "classified" for the Olympics, while the rest do so with the pre-Olympics, since many have not yet reached the necessary marks to compete in Tokyo Olympic Games, which guarantees "the excitement" in a tournament that highlights "the fantastic pairing of sports and tourism".

The head of Sports has advanced that during the weekend "the hotels in our city will host more than 1,000 people thanks to this event" and has guaranteed that during the competition "all measures and sanitary hygiene guidelines" required by health authorities.

For his part, José María Pujadas thanked “in the name of Spanish taekwondo” for the collaboration of the City Council for facilitating the activity in facilities that “are an example”. Pujadas recalled that already in 2019 the federation considered competing in Benidorm "but Covid-19 broke the whole scheme for us last year."

Regarding the participants, he highlighted the importance of the teams from France and Greece and, of course, Mexico, with the participation "of Olympic champions like María Espinosa, who will try again in her third Olympics to obtain a medal." Pujadas has remarked that "everyone" will have this weekend "the pending eyes of Spanish taekwondo and Benidorm" in a competition that, he stressed, takes place "four months scarce" from the appointment in Tokyo.

Cebreros and Pujadas have regretted that, given the health situation, the presence of the public at Palau d'Esports is not possible. However, they have recalled that the organization will broadcast the competition live through the website https://www.fetaekwondo.net/.