7,476 Athletes from 106 Countries Set to Compete at World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu

WMA 2026 Daegu, taking place August 21 - September 3, will be the largest World Masters Athletics Championships ever held in Asia

MONTE CARLO, MONACO, August 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Every two years, the World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC) bring together a global community of Masters athletes united by a shared passion for athletics. This August, that community will gather in Daegu, Republic of Korea, where 7,476 athletes from 106 countries will compete, renew friendships and celebrate the enduring values of sport.

Building on its successful hosting of the 2017 World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships, Daegu once again welcomes the global Masters athletics community. Together with more than 3,700 accompanying persons, officials and volunteers, the Championships will bring more than 11,000 visitors to the city, making Daegu 2026 the largest World Masters Athletics Championships ever held in Asia.

Masters athletes demonstrate what is possible through lifelong participation in sport. Their performances offer valuable insights into healthy aging, wellness and active living, illustrating how regular physical activity and personal commitment can enhance health, independence and quality of life well into older age. Beyond competition, they serve as inspiring examples of resilience, determination and the enduring benefits of an active lifestyle.

Masters athletics also represents a distinctive and growing global community whose engagement with sport extends across decades rather than seasons. Athletes remain active, competitive and connected to sport well into later life, creating unusually long relationships with the products, services, experiences and organizations that support active living. For partners, researchers and communities alike, World Masters Athletics provides authentic access to a highly engaged international active-aging population that reflects the growing importance of healthy aging, longevity and lifelong participation in sport.

The Championships will celebrate the traditions and values that distinguish World Masters Athletics while demonstrating the broader relevance of Masters sport in today's world. As populations age globally, the athletes competing in Daegu provide compelling examples of how sport can remain part of a person's identity, health and lifestyle throughout life.

The Opening Ceremony will reflect these traditions and values through the Parade of Nations, the Athletes’ and Officials’ Oaths, the presentation of the 2025 World Masters Athletics Athlete of the Year Award and a celebration of Korean culture. Among the athletes competing will be Olympic champions and medallists including Hwang Young-Jo (Republic of Korea), Dainis Kūla (Latvia), James Beckford (Jamaica), Noélie Yarigo (Benin), Joetta Clark-Diggs (USA), Ser-Od Bat-Ochir (Mongolia).

The Championships will also feature the second induction into the World Masters Athletics Gallery of Champions, recognizing Masters athletes who are champions in sport and in their communities, and whose achievements, sportsmanship and service have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

“The World Masters Athletics Championships are far more than a competition. They are a global celebration of lifelong participation, resilience and human potential. Every athlete competing in Daegu demonstrates that excellence is not defined by age, but by commitment, perseverance and the courage to continue pursuing one's personal best. We look forward to celebrating remarkable performances, lasting friendships and the inspiring stories that will emerge throughout these Championships,” said Margit Jungmann, President of World Masters Athletics.

“The Opening Ceremony will mark the beginning of a global celebration of unity, friendship and the enduring spirit of Masters athletics,” said Chin Ki-hoon, Secretary General of the Daegu 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships Local Organizing Committee. “With preparations complete across competition operations, medical services, transportation and volunteer support, we look forward to welcoming athletes and visitors from around the world to experience Daegu’s rich cultural heritage and renowned hospitality in a safe and welcoming environment.”

In Daegu, Masters athletes will arrive from 106 countries, bringing with them different languages, cultures and life experiences. While they may not all speak the same language, they will be united by the passion they share for athletics. It is this shared passion—expressed through sportsmanship, mutual respect and friendship—that defines the enduring spirit of the World Masters Athletics Championships.

Championship Partners
The 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships are presented with the support of Daegu Metropolitan City; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Republic of Korea); the Korean Association of Athletics Federations (KAAF); the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships Local Organizing Committee; and World Masters Athletics.

About World Masters Athletics
World Masters Athletics (WMA) is the international governing body for masters athletics, promoting premier athletic events for athletes aged 35 and over, of all abilities, while encouraging their passion for active, healthy competition, global camaraderie and their celebratory spirit.
The World Masters Athletics Championships are held biennially and bring together thousands of Masters athletes from across the globe to compete, renew friendships and demonstrate the enduring benefits of lifelong participation in sport.
For more information, please visit the World Masters Athletics website.

Media Accreditation
Media representatives interested in covering the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships are encouraged to contact World Masters Athletics for accreditation information, interview opportunities, media resources and event updates.
For accreditation, media enquiries or interview requests with the 2026 WMA Gallery of Champions inductees, please contact World Masters Athletics or the Local Organizing Committee below.

Media representatives are warmly invited to discover and share the inspiring human-interest stories that define masters athletics, where world-class performances are matched by extraordinary stories of resilience, lifelong achievement and service to others.

Available for Editorial Use

Image: Daegu Stadium – Host venue of the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships, courtesy of the Daegu Local Organizing Committee

Short biographies of Olympic champions and medallists mentioned in this release: Hwang Young-Jo (Republic of Korea), Dainis Kūla (Latvia), James Beckford (Jamaica), Noélie Yarigo (Benin), Joetta Clark-Diggs (USA), Ser-Od Bat-Ochir (Mongolia), are available upon request.

Media Contact

Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
Mijeong Park
Head of Promotion Team
Email: dgjmj486@naver.com
Mobile: +82-10-8210-1712

World Masters Athletics (WMA)
Clara Northcott
Communication Officer
Email: claranorthcott@world-masters-athletics.org
WhatsApp/Mobile: +1 416-562-5900

Clara Northcott
World Masters Athletics
+1 416-562-5900
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