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Style, power, and control: The Lebanese edition of Hanmadang turned Collège Mont La Salle into a temple of martial arts. The host club reigned supreme on the mats.
The Mont La Salle arena pulsed with shouts, strikes, and applause. A few days ago, the Ain Saadé-based club hosted Hanmadang 2025, the grand festival of taekwondo techniques, organized by the Lebanese Federation under the watchful eye of its president, Dr. Habib Zarifeh, and a panel of local and international experts from South Korea and Jordan.
No fewer than 90 athletes, across all belt levels, competed on three mats in a range of spectacular and varied events: Freestyle Breaking, Self Defense, Power Breaking, and Poomsae.
Mont La Salle as Master of Ceremonies
On home turf, Mont La Salle left no room for doubt. The club dominated the rankings in key categories:
• Colored Belts U17: Mont La Salle (42 points)
• Black Belt U17: Mont La Salle (42 points), ahead of Saydé (34 points) and Taekyon (30 points)
• Black Belt +17: Mont La Salle (7 points), ahead of Black Eagle (3 points)
The Green and White Sweep
Across all disciplines, the home team imposed its rule. Standout names from the green wave include Chris Kehdi, Elma Sfeir, Pamela Habchi, Rhea Shoully, Charbell Morcos, and Giorgio Mansour—all gold medalists in their respective categories. Special mention goes to Naïa Mansour and Valeria Jalkian, who were dominant in the women’s division.
The Winning Triple
Between the pinpoint kicks of Freestyle Breaking, the tactical choreography of Self Defense, and the controlled force of Power Breaking, the athletes delivered a colorful and dynamic show.
Among the youth, Serena Boulos, Georges Ryan Nakhleh, and Naji Khond stood out for their calm and skill. In Power Breaking, things got even more explosive, with Kevin Roustom, Ralph Bou Fayad, and Giorgio Mansour smashing boards as if they were breaking records.
Poomsae: Precision and Grace
On the poomsae side, forms demonstrations highlighted the talent of Petra Farah, Elia Kamel, Yasmina Chaaya, and Kevin Khattar. Duo and team events were dominated by Taekyon and Saydé.
An Elite Jury
The competition was supervised by a high-level staff. Leading the charge: Grand Master Elia Cherro for poomsae and Grand Master Georges Makhoul for Hanmadang, supported by an array of experienced judges including Michel Majdalani, Ziad Faraj, Carlos Zoor, Sasha Aoun, and other well-known figures in the circuit.
A Grand Finale
Between medal ceremonies, respectful handshakes, and camera flashes, the closing sealed a memorable 2025 edition. Hanmadang didn’t just crown champions—it reminded everyone that in Lebanon, taekwondo is much more than a sport: it’s a culture of discipline, elegance… and national pride.
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