Martial Arts Festival Bridging Tradition and Modernity to Be Held in Gumi

18th National Martial Arts Grand Festival to Be Held in Gumi, June 13-15
Over 3,000 Athletes to Participate
20 Events Ranging from Martial Arts to E-Sports
Boost to Local Economy and Tourism Anticipated

The nation's largest martial arts festival, encompassing both the preservation of traditional martial arts and their modern expansion, will be held in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province.

Martial Arts Festival Bridging Tradition and Modernity to Be Held in Gumi

Poster of the 18th Martial Arts Grand Festival.

The city of Gumi announced that the "18th National Martial Arts Grand Festival, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Prize" will take place for three days from June 13 to 15 at the Gumi Multipurpose Sports Center and Yes Gumi Sports Park.

This event is hosted and organized by the Korea Martial Arts Association (President Jang Hyoseon), with joint sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, North Gyeongsang Province, Gumi City, Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, and the Gumi Small Business Association.

Over 3,000 athletes and officials from across the country will participate in this festival, which features a total of 20 events, including: ▲record competitions (kicking, falling techniques), ▲demonstration competitions (men's and women's bare hands, weapons, two-person and team matches), and ▲individual events (martial arts, kickboxing, special forces martial arts, Yongmudo, Haidong Gumdo, jiu-jitsu, Taekkyeon, 24banmuye, hapkido, karate, bokta, and e-sports).

This year, in particular, e-sports has been officially adopted as an event, drawing attention as a new initiative that highlights the modern expansion of martial arts and encourages participation from the younger generation.

The venue will also feature a variety of side events, including: ▲booths for exhibition and sales of small business products, ▲a chess experience zone, and ▲an e-sports experience zone, making the festival a cultural, experiential event centered around martial arts.

Gumi City aims to create a comprehensive sports and cultural festival that families can enjoy together.

The highest honor of the festival, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Prize, is awarded to organizations or individuals who have contributed to the advancement of martial arts. This award is the most prestigious in the martial arts community and recognizes those who have led the popularization and cultural industrialization of traditional martial arts.

A representative of the Korea Martial Arts Association stated, "This festival, held in Gumi for the third consecutive year, is more than just a sports event. It is an important celebration that demonstrates the potential for expanding cultural content through martial arts," adding, "It will enhance the pride of martial artists and serve as an opportunity for mutual growth with the local community."

Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi, said, "This event, which encompasses not only combat sports and traditional martial arts but also e-sports, is an important attempt to promote intergenerational communication and the transformation of martial arts into cultural content," adding, "We expect the influx of athletes and spectators from across the country to greatly invigorate the local economy and tourism."