History of Tournament

Lots of energy and efforts were made by organizers of the tournament to achieve its modern state. For years of existing of “Cup of Peter the Great”, the Tournament has passed the way from closed competitions in 1990 up to the one of the most prestigious European tournaments.

December 1990.

Winter stadium. The first closed tournament “Cup of Peter the Great” was held under the new rules, which were directed to connecting of two different kinds of Taekwon-Do - North Korean and South Korean styles.

December 14-15, 1991.

Winter stadium. The second tournament “Cup of Peter the Great”. There were representatives of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Tajikistan, Kirghizia, Ukraine, Moscow and St.-Petersburg among participants and guests of the Tournament. There were 6 events in the competitions: personal and team patterns (complex movements), personal and team sparring, power-breaking, special technique December, 1992. Sportsmen from all the CIS were invited. But political situation in Russia in October 1993 didn’t let teams from CIS enter Russia.

December 10-11, 1994.

Sports-Concert Complex. The 5^th tournament “Cup of Peter the Great”. The Tournament gets recognition all over the sports world. Sportsmen from the CIS, Poland, England, Czech Republic, Croatia took part in the competitions.

December 9-10, 1995.

Sports-Concert Complex. The 6^th Tournament “Cup of Peter the Great. Sportsmen from distant and near abroad came to the tournament. 17 NGBs and 100 sportsmen fought for medals.

November 30 – December 1, 1996.

Sports-Concert Complex. The 7^th Tournament “Cup of Peter the Great”. Tournament was held at its new status of Open Europe Cup. These competitions became general rehearsal of the World Taekwon-Do Championship which took place in Saint-Petersburg in July 1997.

December 11-12, 1999.

The 8^th Tournament “Cup of Peter the Great”, Open Europe Cup, traditionally took place in Sports-Concert Complex. Participants, guests and admires of Taekwon-Do were happy to see exciting fights of the strongest competitors of Europe and Asia. It was the real sports holiday. The main prize of tournament - the Big Cup - to pleasure of Petersburg citizens went to team of St.-Petersburg.

December 9-10, 2000.

The 9^th “Cup of Peter the Great” took place in Petersburg Sports-Concert Complex. 183 competitors from 14 countries took part in the Tournament. It was the first time when women took part in all the competitions. Competitors from Tajikistan took the Big Cup.

December 8-9, 2001.

Sports Complex, the 10^th “Cup of Peter the Great” wasn’t an exception and took place at Sports-Concert Complex. The tournament got the record number of competitors. 241 sportsmen from 37 teams from 13 NGBs came to Saint-Petersburg for that Cup. Saint-Petersburg Team won the first prize in a cruel struggle.

December 7-8, 2002.

The 11^th “Cup of Peter the Great” , which traditionally took place at Sports-Concert Complex, beside usual competition involved such a bright show as professional fights. There were 229 sportsmen from 32 teems, 11 NGBs Saint-Petersburg team took the first prize again.

December 6-7, 2003.

The 12^th “Cup of Peter the Great” took place at Sports-Concert Complex together with the IV “Cup of Peter” Regball Championship. Female sparring was included in program foк the first time. Professional fights which were of great interest among people closed the program. Moscow team took the first prize.

December 4-5, 2004.

The honored guests of the 13^th “Cup of Peter the Great” were prof. ITF President Chang Ung, General Secretary of ITF Georgios Stilianidis, treasure of ITF Son U Chol, speaker and head of informational committee of ITF Michael Prewett visited the Tournament. Demonstrational command from Korea made show at the Opening and Closing ceremonies. After two days of intense fights Saint-Petersburg left far behind all the opponents and won the Big Cup.

December 9-10, 2006.

The 14^th Tournament for the first time took place at Sports Complex “Jubilejny”. 320 competitors came to the Tournament from 12 countries. Team of Saint-Petersburg proved its might again and took first prize.

December 8-9, 2007.

This year it is the first time for the Tournament at its new rank of World Cup. The organizers hope that “Cup of Peter the Great” will keep its own style, the traditions and will stay bright, unforgettable event in the sports life of not only Petersburg citizens, but world community.