Sonkal - Taekwon-Do ITF

1.8.2026 / Sonkal Open 2026 ( info pack )

This year’s Sonkal Open was the fifteenth in a row, but it feels as though we’re hosting it for only the second or third time. The reality of the running number is undeniable, and a quick look back shows just how much progress we’ve made in organizing the event. But enough nostalgia and reminiscing—let’s take a look at this year’s tournament! A total of 252 competitors from 30 clubs and 4 countries took to the six competition mats (tatami). Regular international participants include Slovakian clubs and the Irish delegation, which was in Prague for the fourth consecutive year. A

30.7.2026 / Test for color belts (from 2 PM)

Autumn colour belt exams

We look back with these photographs at the autumn technical grading exams, in which 14 Sonkal members successfully took part.

28.7.2026 / Sonkal's taekwon-do camp

Autumn preparations for the Czech Republic Championships

We are now publishing some photos from last autumn’s training camp in Zákupy.

27.7.2026 / National team camp

Second national team training camp

On the first Sunday in July, the hall at Velešín Primary School hosted the second national team training camp. What better way to spend the long bank holiday weekend than by spicing it up with a visit to a training session? Some of the participants were the same as those at the Prague camp, but they were joined by local taekwondo practitioners and representatives from Narama in Plzeň. Take a look at the photos and be sure to come along to one of the upcoming one-day camps, such as the one at the end of the summer holidays here at Vybíralova Primary School in Černý Most (30 August).

22.7.2026 / Summer traning camp ( info pack )

15.7.2026 / Test for color belts

End-of-Season Exams for the 2025–2026 Season

Thursday, June 18, was D-Day for candidates seeking higher technical ranks. In the hot weather, everything got underway at 7:00 p.m., and due to an emergency in the Prague metro, we had to experiment a bit with the order in which candidates were tested. But everything went smoothly, and at 8:30 p.m. we presented the participants with certificates confirming their successful completion of the exams. Congratulations to everyone, and we look forward to teaching new techniques, forms, and other parts of the training program!

7.6.2026 / Black belts promotions

Two more new black belts at Sonkal

The last Sunday in March marked not only the end of the national team training camp ahead of the European Championships, but also the exams for higher DAN ranks—that is, black belts. Representing Sonkal, Lukáš Tóth and Jiří Jirát took on the demanding exam program. Both demonstrated their skills to the examination committee and deservedly earned their 1st dan. Congratulations to both of them!

7.6.2026 / Test for color belts

56 successful applicants

Mid-February was traditionally dedicated to the club’s grading exams for higher technical levels—colored belts. Exams were held in seven gyms for all those interested in advancing to a higher belt, and 56 candidates emerged from these exams to take the final test on February 12. In just under 14 days, we’ll have our second set of exams this year, and a series of tests will begin on Tuesday, June 9. We’re crossing our fingers for everyone!

13.5.2026 / Sonkal Open 2026 ( info pack )

Sonkal Open 2026 is this Saturday

For more than 10 years, May has been synonymous with the Sonkal Open, and this year will be no exception. On Saturday, May 16, 265 competitors from 31 clubs and 4 countries will make their way to the Sports Center in Řepy. In addition to the traditional international teams from Slovakia and Ireland, this year will see the debut of a team from the Netherlands. At 10 a.m., the competition for the youngest participants in forms will kick off, immediately followed by sparring, point fighting, and, of course, BlazePods. We’ll use the term of course for group competitions. So plenty of

23.1.2026 / Preparation trainings before European Championship

Preparation for the 2026 European Championship and beyond

Last year, Sonkal held two preparatory training days before the World Championships in Tallinn. We will continue this activity again this year. Training sessions will always take place in the gym of the Vybíralova Elementary School in Černý Most and will be free of charge for all participants. Participation is not limited to European Championship participants, but is open to anyone who wants to improve and get more out of their training. The minimum level is 4th kup, but we recommend 2nd kup or higher. As last year, we welcome other masters, instructors, and coaches to participate. Dates

2.1.2026 / Black belts promotions

December black belt exams

Sunday, December 14, was reserved in the Czech taekwondo calendar for technical dan grade exams, i.e., black belts. Hubert Skála successfully passed Sonkal II. dan exam and was able to take the exam itself with other candidates before the examination committee of the Czech Taekwon-Do ITF Federation. The committee was traditionally chaired by Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong and its members were Master Rostislav Kaňka and Master Milan Prokeš. Hubert Skála performed very well not only in the exercises and final theory, but also during the examinations of other candidates, when Grand Master Hwan

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31.7.2026 / Sonkal's taekwon-do camp

Winter joint training

The turn of January and February – or, to be precise, the school half-term holidays – is a regular occasion for our members to hold a winter club training camp in Zákupy. This year was no exception. The lower-grade belts were mainly keen to train hard and prepare for their February grading exams. For the black belts, the main motivation was to prepare for competitions and the European Championships in Crete. As always, everything went very smoothly and the long weekend flew by. What about you – will you be joining us next time too? Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

17.7.2026 / National team camp

The first national team training camp took place at Vybíralova Elementary School

Our gym at Vybíralova Elementary School in Černý Most hosted the first national team training camp led by the head coach of the Czech national team, Michal Vavrinec. The camp is open not only to members of the current national team but also to anyone with a red belt who wants to experience the atmosphere of training sessions for the best of the best. Two training sessions focused on plyometric exercises, basic techniques, patterns, special techniques, coordination exercises, and sparring. Additional training sessions are already scheduled for August 30 and October 11, again at Vybíralov

13.7.2026 / Preparation trainings before European Championship

Third Preparatory Training Day

Here are our photos from the third—and final—preparatory training day for the European Championships in Heraklion.

12.7.2026 / Preparation trainings before European Championship

The Second Phase of Preparation for the European Championship

Take a look back a few months to see how preparations for the European Championships in Crete were going in our gym at Vybíralova Elementary School in Černý Most.

11.7.2026 / Preparation trainings before European Championship

Photos from the first phase of preparations for the European Championship

Here are some photos from the preparations for the European Championships in Crete.

COMPETITION

25.7.2026 / Czech national championship for color belts

National Championship for Colored Belt Holders

This year’s Czech Republic Colored Belt Championships—for holders of technical kup ranks—took place in Nymburk. The all-day marathon, held in very warm outdoor weather, also affected the temperature inside the sports hall; nevertheless, all participants fought with great determination to achieve the best possible results. Sonkal was represented by a number of competitors, among whom Arian Satin was the most successful, winning the yellow-belt category for younger pupils. Tereza Škvorová added a bronze medal in the same age group but in the green-belt category. In the younger junior

13.6.2026 / Preparation camp for European Championship in Heraklion

Photo Gallery - Preparations for the European Championships

Take a look at our photos from the training camp for the European Championships in Heraklion, which took place in early April at the Sports Center in Brandýs nad Labem.

7.6.2026 / Meeting of Centers youth talentes

Young Talents in South Moravia

On the anniversary of the founding of taekwondo, a number of talented taekwondo practitioners from across the Czech Republic gathered in Brno to compare the quality of their techniques. Jakub Matušík was the only representative from Sonkal; he delivered strong performances, particularly in sparring, and gave even far more experienced opponents a run for their money!

7.6.2026 / Cup of Czech Taekwon-Do Federation

Photo - A Look Back at 2024

Cleaning up your data is just like cleaning your house—you always end up finding a treasure or something you’ve been looking for for a long time. While cleaning up my photo files, I came across some photos I’d sorted but hadn’t edited yet, from the second round of the Czech ITF Taekwondo Federation Cup in České Budějovice. So here they are :-)

22.5.2026 / 31th Junior, 40th Adult, 17th Veteran & 15th Youth European Championships

The fifth day of competition at the European Championships

All photos from the European Championships in Heraklion have been published. Don't forget to check out the photos from the other days HERE

11.5.2026 / 31th Junior, 40th Adult, 17th Veteran & 15th Youth European Championships

The fourth day of competition at the European Championships

239 photos from the fourth day of the competition are here for you! Don't forget to check out the photos from the other days HERE

10.5.2026 / 31th Junior, 40th Adult, 17th Veteran & 15th Youth European Championships

The third day of competition at the European Championships

A collection of photos from the third day of competition at the European Championships in Crete. Enjoy all 396 photos.

7.5.2026 / 31th Junior, 40th Adult, 17th Veteran & 15th Youth European Championships

Day Two of the European Championships

The second day of the European Championships in Crete is now complete. Check out the 500 photos.

5.5.2026 / 31th Junior, 40th Adult, 17th Veteran & 15th Youth European Championships

The first day of the European Championships

The photos from the first day of competition at the European Championships in Crete are now complete. We’ll continue tomorrow with the second day!

4.5.2026 / 31th Junior, 40th Adult, 17th Veteran & 15th Youth European Championships

Day 0

Over the next few days, we’ll be bringing you plenty of photos from the European Championships in Crete, which took place from April 19 to 26 in the capital city of Heraklion. Today we’re starting with Day Zero, when all the teams were fine-tuning the final details, and we have footage of the Czech team’s preparations. After lunch, there were working meetings for the referees and coaches, and the evening featured the opening ceremony for the entire championship. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

15.4.2026 / 31th Junior, 40th Adult, 17th Veteran & 15th Youth European Championships

Up and Down Crete

On Saturday, April 18, the ITF Taekwondo national team will depart from Prague by bus for Vienna to compete in this year’s European Championships. On the way, they will stop in Brno, where another part of the team will board the bus, and then proceed to Vienna International Airport, from where they will take a direct flight to Heraklion, Crete. Nine members of Sonkal will compete for European medals, and here is a list of their events: - Jiří Faltin, veteran male, tul 2nd Dan, sparring -80kg, and team member - Jan Dvořáček, veteran male, tul 4th Dan, sparring -78kg, and team