Kelab Taekwondo (MITF) Triumphs Achieve (TTA) has been officially recognised by ASEAN Records after 168 students representing 39 educational institutions collectively broke an extraordinary 16,888 Taekwon-Do boards in just 9 minutes and 32 seconds.
The club achieved the official record title:
Fastest and Most Taekwon-Do Boards Broken by Students Across Education Levels and Schools at a Federation-Sanctioned Event
(16,888 units within 9 minutes 32 seconds; 168 participants comprising 1 pre-school, 86 primary, 73 secondary, 3 college and 5 university students; 39 institutions).
Held on 8 August 2026 at SJKC Keng Koon, Penang, the achievement brought together young martial arts practitioners from pre-school through university level, transforming an individual martial arts discipline into an impressive demonstration of coordination, preparation and teamwork.
16,888 Boards Broken in 9 Minutes and 32 Seconds
The record attempt began at 8:20am and concluded at 8:29:32am, with participants successfully completing all 16,888 board breaks within less than 10 minutes.
Achieving the result required far more than speed. Coordinating 168 students of different ages and experience levels across 39 institutions demanded extensive preparation, precise organisation and the ability of every participant to contribute towards one shared objective.
Rather than highlighting a single athlete, the achievement placed collective performance at the centre of the record, demonstrating what can be accomplished when young practitioners train and perform as one coordinated team.
Bringing Together Students Across Every Education Level
A defining feature of the achievement was the diversity of its participants.
The record involved one pre-school student, 86 primary school students, 73 secondary school students, three college students and five university students. Together, they represented 39 educational institutions.
This broad participation demonstrated how Taekwon-Do can connect young people across different stages of education through a shared discipline.
Beyond physical technique, the attempt encouraged participants to practise concentration, communication, confidence and teamwork — qualities that can remain valuable far beyond the martial arts environment.
Celebrating 10 Years of Penang TTA
The record carried additional significance as Penang TTA celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2026.
Instead of commemorating the decade solely through a conventional anniversary celebration, the organisation chose to mark the occasion with an ambitious challenge involving its students and the wider Taekwon-Do community.
The achievement therefore became both a record-breaking milestone and a reflection of the organisation’s decade-long commitment to martial arts development.
For TTA, the record also represents an important message to younger practitioners: achievements are not simply milestones to admire, but can become motivation to challenge personal limits and continue improving.
Part of the Penang MITF & 9th TTA Taekwon-Do Championship 2026
The record attempt formed part of the Penang MITF & 9th TTA Taekwon-Do Championship 2026, held at SJKC Keng Koon in Simpang Ampat, Penang.
The programme combined the ASEAN Records attempt with Taekwon-Do performances, official addresses, the recognition presentation and championship activities, providing participants with a wider platform for competition and community engagement.
The event included an address by Dato’ Paduka Muhammad Shahnaz Bin Azmi, President of the Malaysian ITF Taekwon-Do Federation (MITF), and was officiated by En Shamsul Qamar Bin Shamsuddin, Youth and Sports Officer for Seberang Perai Selatan District.
Developing Character Beyond Martial Arts
For Kelab Taekwondo (MITF) Triumphs Achieve, Taekwon-Do is about more than physical performance, medals or self-defence.
Structured martial arts training can help young practitioners develop discipline, focus, physical coordination, confidence, communication and resilience. Participants also learn how to perform under pressure, respond to setbacks and continue working towards improvement.
The ASEAN Records attempt brought these qualities together on a much larger scale.
Every participant had a role in reaching the final total, making cooperation just as important as individual technique. The achievement consequently became a practical demonstration of how martial arts can contribute to youth development while creating a strong sense of shared accomplishment.
ASEAN Records Recognition Presented in Penang
The ASEAN Records certificate was officially presented on 8 August 2026 during the championship at SJKC Keng Koon.
The recognition was received by Tan Kean Hooi, Chairman of Kelab Taekwondo (MITF) Triumphs Achieve, together with Tan Yeong Hooi, Organising Chairman and Head Coach.
The recognition also acknowledges the contribution of the coaches, organisers, participating educational institutions and students whose preparation and coordination made the record possible.
Tan Yeong Hooi highlighted that the achievement’s greatest significance extended beyond the numbers, with cooperation and teamwork at its heart. He also emphasised Taekwon-Do’s wider role in helping children develop physically and build confidence, resilience and the ability to respond positively to challenges.
Strengthening Youth Development Through Sport
The achievement demonstrates the potential of structured sporting programmes to bring young people together across schools, age groups and educational levels.
With participants ranging from pre-school to university, the record also illustrates the continuity Taekwon-Do can provide as practitioners progress through different stages of personal and educational development.
The participation of 39 institutions further transformed the attempt into a wider community achievement, connecting students who might otherwise train and compete separately under one ambitious objective.
Through initiatives of this scale, martial arts can become a platform not merely for competition but for developing young people who understand discipline, perseverance and collective responsibility.
Looking Ahead
Breaking 16,888 Taekwon-Do boards in 9 minutes and 32 seconds represents an exceptional physical achievement, but the significance of Kelab Taekwondo Triumphs Achieve’s ASEAN Records milestone reaches beyond the final number.
It celebrates 168 young practitioners, 39 educational institutions and a decade of Penang TTA, united through preparation, discipline and teamwork.
As the organisation moves beyond its 10th anniversary, the recognition provides a powerful foundation for inspiring another generation of practitioners to see martial arts not simply as a competitive sport, but as a journey of confidence, resilience and continuous personal growth.
Learn more about this: Official ASEAN Records Recognition
