Peru
ITF
Peru has a solid and long-standing ITF community, articulated around the Peruvian Institute of International Taekwon-Do (IPTI), founded in 1990 by Grand Master Enrique Deacon (IX Dan ITF). The IPTI is the official ITF representative in Peru with more than 30 active instruction centers. In 2025, the country achieved its greatest historical milestone: Fernando Pimentel (IV Dan) won two silver medals at the XXIII ITF World Championship in Jesolo, Italy — runner-up world champion in Tul (forms) and Matsogi (sparring) at the same tournament.
ITF Origins
The Origins — The ITF arrives in Peru
From Chinese martial arts to Choi Hong Hi's Taekwondo
ITF Taekwondo arrived in Peru with roots in the 1970s. Senior Master Enrique Deacon Villanueva began his training in Chinese martial arts (Kung-Fu) in 1968, and started in Taekwondo in the mid-70s. Throughout that decade he developed his practice until becoming a reference of the art in Lima.
In those years, the ITF presence in Peru was not yet formally structured. Deacon worked silently sowing the discipline until being able to take the institutional step that would come with the founding of IPTI in 1990 — the moment that would mark the beginning of organised ITF in the country.
“Enrique Deacon began training Taekwondo in the mid-70s — the seed that in 1990 would give rise to IPTI.”
IPTI Founding
The IPTI — Peruvian Institute of International Taekwon-Do
Mu-Shim Dojang and the legitimacy of General Choi in person
In 1990, Enrique Deacon founded the Instituto Peruano de Taekwon-Do Internacional (IPTI) as the central seat of ITF Taekwondo in Peru. The first main dojang was named Mu-Shim Dojang (The School of the Warrior's Mind). In parallel, the Academia Internacional de Taekwondo was created, directed by Sabum Jorge Lecaros, initially located at La Inmaculada school.
In 1994, Peru had the honour of receiving the first visit of General Choi Hong Hi, founder of ITF Taekwon-Do, who arrived accompanied by Master Phap Lu — Choi's direct recognition of Deacon's work in the country. This personal link with the founder marked the legitimacy of Peruvian ITF within the international circuit.
“1994 — General Choi Hong Hi personally visited Peru, recognising IPTI as the official ITF seat in the country.”
Expansion
IPTI expands — 30+ centres and 35 years of history
From Mu-Shim Dojang to the national instruction network
From the year 2000, IPTI expanded its presence to schools such as Santa María de la Providencia and Genios en Acción, and to the Municipality of Ancón. In 2002, expansion continued with multiple new dojangs in schools and gyms across Lima.
By 2024, IPTI celebrated its 35th anniversary with more than 30 affiliated Instruction Centres, between schools, dojangs, municipalities, gyms, universities and kindergartens. The network consolidates IPTI as the most far-reaching ITF body in Peru, with a rigorous grading system and constant participation in international events.
“IPTI reached 35 years with more than 30 Instruction Centres — the largest ITF network ever built in Peru.”
Jesolo 2025
Fernando Pimentel — the double world runner-up
Two silvers in Tul and Matsogi at the XXIII ITF World Championship in Jesolo
In October 2025, the XXIII ITF World Championship was held in Jesolo, Italy, with more than 70 participating countries. Fernando Pimentel (IV Dan ITF), an IPTI athlete, became the protagonist of the Peruvian delegation by winning two silver medals: one in Tul (patterns) and another in Matsogi (sparring). Both world runner-up titles in the same tournament represent an unprecedented achievement for Peruvian TKD on the ITF circuit.
Pimentel competed among hundreds of elite athletes and reached the finals of both disciplines, losing only at the last stage. His results position Peru as an emerging powerhouse of Latin American ITF, far above the media radar that usually covers only the Olympic WT.
“Jesolo 2025 — two world silvers in Tul and Matsogi: the greatest achievement in the history of Peruvian ITF.”
Taekwondo in Peru
- ›IX Dan ITF — máximo grado del ITF peruano
- ›Fundador del IPTI (1990) — sede central ITF en Perú
- ›Recibió al General Choi Hong Hi en su visita a Perú (1994)
- ›Representante Oficial de la ITF en Perú
- ›35+ años dirigiendo el IPTI ininterrumpidamente
- ›🥈🥈 Doble plata mundial ITF Jesolo 2025 — Tul + Matsogi
- ›IV Dan ITF — atleta de élite del IPTI
- ›Mayor logro individual de la historia del TKD ITF peruano
- ›Instructor activo en el IPTI
- ›Co-fundador de la Academia Internacional de Taekwondo del IPTI
- ›Dirigió la primera academia IPTI en el colegio La Inmaculada
- ›Figura fundacional del IPTI en los años 90
Keep exploring
The history of Taekwondo continues in every dojang, every class, every student.