Florida, USA
Report By,Prakash sigdel
Dr. Khem Bahadur Chhetri, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Nepali Army and a distinguished International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) practitioner, volunteered at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Taekwondo Championship 2026, held from June 29 to July 4, 2026, in Florida, USA.
The championship, hosted at the Omni Hotel & Resorts Indoor Stadium, is one of the largest martial arts events in the United States. The tournament featured Olympic-style Taekwondo as well as traditional forms of various martial arts disciplines, attracting more than 3,200 athletes from across the country.
During the week-long championship, Dr. Chhetri made a notable contribution as a volunteer official, particularly in the successful conduct of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Taekwondo traditional forms competitions. His extensive technical knowledge, officiating experience, and commitment to the sport played an important role in ensuring the smooth and successful completion of the events.
Dr. Chhetri holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in ITF Taekwon-Do and is an internationally certified referee. Over the years, he has officiated at numerous prestigious international tournaments, including South Asian and Asian ITF Taekwon-Do Championships, earning recognition for his professionalism and expertise in the sport.
A pioneer of ITF Taekwon-Do in Nepal, Dr. Chhetri introduced the ITF style of Taekwon-Do into the Nepali Army in 2007 while serving as a Captain. His vision and leadership laid the foundation for the development of ITF Taekwon-Do within the military, creating opportunities for soldiers to receive professional training in the discipline.
Beyond his military service, Dr. Chhetri has made remarkable contributions to the promotion and expansion of ITF Taekwon-Do in Nepal. Through coaching, officiating, organizational leadership, and technical development, he has played a vital role in nurturing athletes, developing referees and instructors, and strengthening Nepal’s presence in the international ITF Taekwon-Do community.
His volunteer service at the 2026 AAU Taekwondo Championship reflects his continued dedication to the advancement of martial arts beyond Nepal’s borders. Dr. Chhetri’s participation also highlights the growing contribution of Nepali martial arts professionals to major international sporting events and serves as a source of pride for the Nepali community both at home and abroad.
