Nonthaburi: The GH Bank Taekwondo National Championships are set to undergo significant changes this year with the elimination of the challenge system. This strategic shift aims to identify and select the most skilled Thai taekwondo athletes for the national team, as they prepare for a series of international competitions scheduled for 2026.

According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Pimol Srivikrom, President of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, announced plans for the largest national taekwondo event, the "GH Bank Taekwondo National Championships 2026 (Sparring Category)." The competition will take place from March 26-30 at the Nonthaburi Gymnasium in Nonthaburi Province. The focus this year is on aligning with the latest international rules to gear up for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.

The championship will implement a new "no challenge" rule, as piloted by the World Taekwondo Federation. This change aims to reduce the reliance on challenge cards in specific scenarios, enhancing the continuity and excitement of the matches. Athletes will need to execute precise and powerful strikes to ensure accurate electronic scoring. The event will also feature updated software for the electronic scoring system and headguard (KPNP), with improved sensor resolution to mitigate issues such as unrecorded points from glancing kicks.

The competition is open to participants across junior, youth, and senior levels, with applications closing on March 18th at 11:00 AM. "Coach Che" Chatchai Che, the head coach of the Thai national team, along with his coaching staff, will utilize this championship as a crucial selection platform for new athletes to join the national team camp, preparing them for major competitions throughout 2026.