The Rimini Congress
Twenty-five years ago today, on 6 July 2001, the ITF Congress in Rimini, Italy, became one of the most significant and controversial days in ITF history.
For many years, this rare footage has only been available to TKDCoaching Premium Members.
Today, for the first time, we are making the complete documentary available FREE to the entire Taekwon-Do community.
This is more than simply a recording of a meeting. It is an opportunity to witness history unfold through the original footage, to see the people who were there, and to better understand why Rimini continues to be discussed a quarter of a century later.
Whether you lived through these events or have only heard about them, this documentary provides valuable context that cannot be captured in written accounts alone.
Watch the Full Documentary above
What Happened After Rimini
See the first page of the December 2001 and February 2002 Newsletters ►
After watching our video on the Rimini Congress, Grand Master Earl Weiss commented:
“I found your recent item of interest on several levels, including the mess as to what representatives should be seated in Rimini, which appeared again in Vienna in January. The rest, shall we say, is history. Maybe someone else has the minutes referred to in the Newsletter.”
Following the Rimini Congress, a Special Congress of the ITF was held in Vienna on 12 January 2002. At this Congress, the delegates voted to reverse a number of the decisions that had been made in Rimini.
Some have questioned whether the Vienna meeting was, in fact, an official Congress. The attached Newsletters provide a clear answer. The December 2001 Newsletter gave the required advance notice of the Special Congress, while the February 2002 Newsletter reported on its proceedings and decisions.
At the time, Grand Master Earl Weiss had been appointed by General Choi Hong Hi as one of three members of the legal council. During the latter part of 2001, he conferred with Thomas MacCallum on several occasions regarding the constitutional requirements for expelling members. Grand Master Weiss advised that, in his opinion, the ITF Constitution required any expulsion to be approved by a Congress. It was for this reason that the Special Congress in Vienna was convened.
What you’ll see on the video
- Rare original footage from inside the 13th ITF Congress (Rimini, Italy – 6 July 2001).
- The key people involved in one of the defining moments in modern ITF history.
- The atmosphere inside the Congress as major decisions unfolded.
- Historical commentary that explains why this day continues to be discussed 25 years later.
Who should watch?
- ITF instructors wanting a deeper understanding of our history.
- Senior students preparing for grading interviews or theory discussions.
- Anyone interested in the events that shaped today’s ITF organisations.
I hope this documentary helps preserve an important part of our shared Taekwon-Do history for future generations.
Were you at the Rimini Congress? Or do you have thoughts after watching the documentary? I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below and share your memories, observations or reflections. Your contribution may help others better understand this important moment in ITF history.
Responses