(Photo World Taekwondo)
The Chuncheon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge concluded with an action-packed day two, featuring gold medals for athletes from five different Member National Associations.
Iran’s Amirmohammad Haghighatshenas won the first gold medal of the day in the Men’s K44 -70kg final, following the withdrawal of Uzbekistan’s Kudratulla Sunnatov from the final.
Paris 2024 bronze medallist and recently-crowned European champion Christina Gkentzou of Greece then triumphed in the Women’s K44 -65kg, clinching a notable victory against reigning Paralympic champion Ana Carolina Silva de Moura of Brazil in the gold medal match.
Two-time Paralympic bronze medallist Jeong Hun Joo of Korea overcame Iran’s Alireza Bakht in the Men’s K44 -80kg final, while Paris 2024 silver and Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Guljonoy Naimova of Uzbekistan triumphed in the Women’s K44 +65kg against Russia’s Elena Savinskaia.
The final gold medal of the event went to Russia’s Aliaskhab Ramazanov, a silver medallist at Paris 2024, as he won the Men’s K44 +80kg final against Uzbekistan’s Umarjon Muydinov.
Among the other standout performances on day two, Bi Assamoa Michel Chris Boli of Côte d’Ivoire earned bronze in the Men’s K44 -70kg, adding to the silver from his compatriot Aboubacar Sidiki Samake in the Men’s K44 -63kg yesterday. Both athletes participated at the Para Taekwondo Training Camp at Muju Taekwondowon from July 1-6.
The Chuncheon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge served as another showcase of the growing global strength of Para Taekwondo, featuring 21 medallists from the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games across the two days.
World Taekwondo events in Chuncheon will continue on July 13 with the Demonstration and Breaking Championships, followed by the World Cup Team Championships from July 14-16.
