The Chuncheon World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships kicked off earlier today, with China successfully defending their men’s title.
Yang Li, Yufan Chen, Mingsi Li and Guansen Niu excelled throughout the first day of competition, and triumphed over Kazakhstan in the final to take gold for the second year running in Chuncheon.
Earlier in the day, third seeds China had recorded victories over India and Thailand.
Abdurakhmon Maripov, Batyrkhan Kussetov, Maksat Orynbassar and Anuar Mukhametkarymov earned silver for Kazakhstan, after a run to the final which included wins against Morocco and Russia.
In the bronze medal match, Thailand – featuring reigning -68kg world champion Banlung Tubtimdang alongside Krittayot Phrompatju, Thanathorn Saejo and Jack Woody Mercer – overcame Russia to place third in the event.
Host nation and top seeds Korea lost to Russia in the quarter-finals, while Iran – winners of five consecutive men’s titles at the World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championships between 2017 and 2024 – were beaten by Thailand.
Indonesia also featured in Chuncheon to complete the nine-team line-up.
