Taekwondo Opportunities (+ Karate and Judo Added)

In 2015 Eric Wright with Coach Johnny Birch competed at the first Virtus World Taekwondo Championships in Ecuador and claimed the individual Gold medal for USA. Athletes Without Limits continues to seek talented athletes with intellectual disability to represent the U.S. Team at Virtus International events in Taekwondo, with Karate and Judo added in 2023.

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
As the US member of Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport (formerly called Inas) Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest levels thanks to a collaboration between Virtus and World Taekwondo. Beginning in 2023 Virtus events will also include Karate and Judo. 

Qualified US athletes may be able to travel to international competitions as part of Athletes Without Limits USA delegation. Please review eligibility guidelines and contact us if you know of any athletes who may be interested.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Additional 2024-2025 opportunities will be posted as they come up.
2026 Virtus Americas Regional Games (Peru)
2027 Virtus Global Games (TBA)

PAST EVENTS (Partial List)
2023 Virtus Global Games (France)
2023 AAU Nationals (Las Vegas)
2019 Virtus (formerly Inas) Global Games (Autstralia)
2018 Pam Am Open Taekwondo Championships (Spokane, WA)
2017 World Para Taekwondo Championships (London)
2017 U.S. Open Para Taekwondo
2017 PanAm Games (Costa Rica)
2016 U.S. Open Para Taekwondo (Reno, Nevada)
2016 Virtus (formerly Inas) World Para-Taekwondo Championships
2015 Virtus/Inas Global Games (Ecuador)
2015 Virtus/Inas World Para-Taekwondo Championships (Turkey)

ELIGIBILITY

Competition Groups offered at Virtus Events:
Virtus II1- Intellectual Disability (IQ of 75 or lower)
Virtus II2- Intellectual Disability with Additional Impairment (e.g. Down Syndrome, CP)
Virtus II3- Autism+ (IQ of 76 or higher)

Para P20 Class at USA & World Taekwondo Events:
II1 and II2 athletes with IQ of 75 or lower are eligible for P20 Class
II3 athletes are not eligible for the P20 class

AWL LEADERSHIP

JOHNNY L. BIRCH, JR.
Athletes Without Limits Taekwondo National Director
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Following a successful career on the Army Taekwondo Team, Sabumnim Johnny L. Birch Jr founded the Carlisle Taekwondo & Fitness Academy, LLC in 2011. The Academy’s mission is to provide world-class Taekwondo instruction for individuals and families at an affordable cost, while striving to produce national level athletes to represent Pennsylvania on the national and international stage. Sabumnim Birch is a Certified Instructor in accordance with the National Safe Sports Act of 2014.

Taekwondo career highlights include:
4th Dan Kukkiwon Black Belt
4th Dan MooDukKwan Black Belt
4th Dan Sport Taekwondo Associates
1st Dan World Martial Arts Federation