Mexican Taekwondo Federation distributes non-genuine uniforms to Poomsae team at World Championship in Korea

The Mexican Taekwondo Federation (FMTKD) distributed non-genuine Adidas-branded clothing to athletes selected for the Poomsae World Championship held from September 16 to 20, 2026, in Chuncheon, South Korea. Notably, these shirts were replicas of the kit worn by the Mexican national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Beyond distributing apparel from an entirely different sport, the uniform was significantly redesigned from the original. On the upper right chest, a national flag was placed below the three characteristic stripes of the Adidas brand. Meanwhile, on the left chest, the Mexican Football Federation emblem was replaced with the text "Taekwondo Mexico." This uniform was part of the travel and identification kit, including pants and jackets. The sleeves also featured printed designs: the World Taekwondo (WT) logo on the right side and the FMTKD institutional image on the left. It should be noted that the official competition uniform remains the traditional dobok. The use of non-genuine apparel violates intellectual property regulations and the rules of the world governing body WT, which oversees attire at major competitions. To avoid potential administrative penalties, FMTKD ordered the brand logo to be covered with patches printed with the word "poomsae," causing discontent within the Mexican delegation. Despite lacking access to Conade funding due to not having the Single Sport Registry (RUD), the federation maintains its own revenue through membership fees and events. On the purely sporting side, the Mexican delegation won two medals in the Sub-17 free style Poomsae: an individual silver by Miguel Ángel Moreno and a bronze in the pairs event with Sofía Lee. This incident reveals a complex picture of the financial situation of Mexican sports federations, particularly amid ongoing disputes with government authorities. The distribution of non-standard uniforms highlights the financial pressure weighing on FMTKD, forcing the organization to cut costs by any means necessary. Meanwhile, on the competition floor, Mexican athletes continued to compete fiercely and achieved commendable results. Miguel Ángel Moreno's individual silver medal demonstrated technical prowess in free style Poomsae, while the pair of Moreno and Lee completed their performance excellently to earn the bronze, contributing to elevating Taekwondo Mexico's standing internationally. The 2026 Poomsae World Championship in Chuncheon brought together hundreds of athletes from many countries, competing in various age categories with both traditional and free style events. Mexico participated with a young team in the Under-17 category, demonstrating the federation's long-term talent development strategy despite facing numerous challenges behind the scenes. The non-genuine uniform controversy in Chuncheon serves as evidence of the struggles many sports federations face with financial constraints as state funding is disrupted. Covering logos to hide unofficial branding may help avoid technical penalties, but it also raises serious questions about intellectual property rights and the professional image of this martial art.