Prestigious Hero of Kazakhstan Award for ITFU Leaders at Asia Championships

A landmark moment for ITF Union Taekwon-Do — three of its most senior leaders were honoured with one of Kazakhstan’s most prestigious national distinctions.

Almaty, Kazakhstan — In a ceremony that will be remembered as one of the most significant moments in ITF Union’s international history, Grandmaster Don Dalton, President of ITF Union, together with Master Jo Arsol (8th Dan), President of ITF Union Asia, and Master Prasad (8th Dan, India), Chairperson of the ITFU Asia Disciplinary Committee, were honoured with the prestigious Hero of Kazakhstan Award — one of the nation’s highest distinctions — during the ITF Union Asian Taekwondo Championship held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The award was personally presented by Lieutenant General Bakhytzhan Ertayevich Ertayev, Chairman of the National Heroes of Independent Kazakhstan Association — a decorated military leader and revered national legend — in recognition of the ITFU leaders’ extraordinary contributions to martial arts, international sport, and the values of discipline, unity and excellence that define ITF Union Taekwon-Do.

Reflecting on the honour, Grandmaster Don Dalton expressed his deep appreciation:

“It was a very special occasion and a huge honour to accept this accolade. It is also very prestigious for ITF Union. I want to thank Master Digay for organising such a professional, enjoyable and high-level event in Almaty. The standards were amazing and I certainly look forward to returning to the region next year, when I will be teaching for two days in Uzbekistan.”

A Historic Triumph: Three Days of Martial Arts Excellence

The ITF Union Asian Taekwondo Championship has officially and successfully concluded — and by every measure, it was a resounding triumph. Over the course of three extraordinary days, the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan transformed into the beating heart of Asian martial arts, drawing elite athletes, coaches, judges and officials from across the continent and beyond.

The championship delivered breathtaking performances, fierce competition at the highest level, and an atmosphere charged with the unmistakable spirit of Taekwon-Do — discipline, respect, perseverance and unity. From the opening ceremony to the final medal presentations, every moment reflected the extraordinary growth and global prestige of ITF Union Taekwon-Do in Asia.

Gratitude & Recognition

The ITF Union extends its deepest and most sincere gratitude to Grandmaster Don Dalton, President of ITF Union, for his unwavering trust in the Asian federation, his visionary global leadership, and his immense personal contributions to advancing the sport and the values it represents across the world.

Equally, the ITFU expresses profound appreciation to Master Jo Arsol, President of the ITF Union Asian Taekwondo Federation, for his outstanding organisational oversight, tireless commitment, and his relentless dedication to the development and advancement of Taekwondo across the entire Asian continent.

A very special thank you, enormous gratitude and heartfelt congratulations are extended to Mr. Konstantin Digay and his exceptional team for hosting an Asian Championship of truly unparalleled magnitude. Their vision, precision and warmth in welcoming delegations from across the globe set a new benchmark for international Taekwon-Do events. Their unwavering hard work and dedication are making a profound and lasting contribution to the growth of ITF Union Taekwon-Do throughout Asia.

Finally, we congratulate and sincerely thank every competing athlete, every dedicated coach, every international judge, every tireless volunteer, and every corporate partner who stood behind this event. Your collective passion, professionalism and dedication transformed this continental championship into a landmark success that will be spoken of for years to come.

We look forward with great enthusiasm to welcoming the international Taekwondo community to future ITFU events, as we continue — together — to elevate this great sport to ever greater heights on the world stage.