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Harrogate Taekwondo master "honoured" to represent UK in Sweden and Croatia

Taekwondo Master Ali represented the UK as a referee at two international championships.

A Harrogate Taekwondo master has represented Great Britain as a referee at two international championships.

Kambiz Ramzan Ali MBE, founder and Chief Instructor of K.R. Ali Taekwondo Academy in Harrogate and Leeds, travelled to Sweden and Croatia for consecutive competitions.

The 7th Dan master officiated at the 2026 Poomsae Svenska Cupen in Stockholm before heading to Zagreb for the Croatia Open Poomsae G1 Championships.

The events attracted approximately 292 participants in Sweden and 510 in Croatia, bringing together athletes, coaches and officials from across Europe and beyond.

The Croatia Open was a World Taekwondo G1 ranking event, giving athletes the opportunity to earn international ranking points.

Master Kambiz R. Ali MBE said:

"I am truly honoured to have represented Great Britain and Harrogate at two important European championships in such a short period.

"Both Sweden and Croatia provided excellent opportunities to work alongside experienced international referees, exchange knowledge and support athletes competing at the highest standards of Poomsae.

"It is always a privilege to represent our country internationally, but I am equally proud to bring that experience back to Harrogate, where we continue to develop and inspire the next generation of Taekwondo athletes.

"These championships have been particularly meaningful as they took place just ahead of the 2026 British National Poomsae Championships, where I will have the honour of serving as Chief Referee, while members of our Harrogate academy will also be competing."

Master Ali will now serve as Chief Referee at the British National Poomsae Championships on 31st October and 1st November.

The competition will take place at the David Ross Sports Village at the University of Nottingham, where he will lead and coordinate teams of international and national referees.

Athletes from K.R. Ali Taekwondo Academy will also represent Harrogate at the event.

Master Ali was awarded an MBE in the King’s 2026 New Year Honours for his services to Taekwondo and the Harrogate community.

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