PARIS, France (Aug. 8, 2024) - A new star has arisen - a star who has thrust Team Korea back to the top of the game.

 

Shockwaves rippled across the sport’s homeland when the team returned from Tokyo 2020 without a single gold medal. Taejoon Park fixed that on Day 1 at Paris 2024 yesterday – in dramatic style.

 

While some athletes rely on just one or two kicks, Park, a 20-year-old 2022 Grand Prix gold medalist and 2023 World Champion wields a full arsenal. “I have a lot of kicks,” he said. “Everything!”

 

And he is a spinner. “I’m successful at the spin kick,” he said. “When I spin, I hear the noise of the spectators.”

 

After a day of battle in the Grand Palais, the M-58kg category final promised a dream match: Under the glass roof, Park would fight Azerbaijan’s Gashim Magomedov for the gold.

 

The Azeri’s style mirrors Park’s: Attacking, ambidextrous, lively. Both players were making their Olympic debuts in Paris.

 

Park’s aim was “forward pressure,” he said. “Never stop kicking!”

 

Round 1 commenced with both fighters immediately going full throttle and the Korean opening the scoring. Then – disaster.

 

After a shin clash, the Azeri hit the deck. The two players spoke briefly during medical intervention.

 

“I said, ‘Sorry,’” Park recalled. “He said, ‘No problem – it’s sports.’”

 

Magomedov rose, but in pain. Combat recommenced.

 

Park’s kick rate soared, elevating his score to 7-0. The Azeri was suffering: Medics were called up again, taping his leg. At the end of Round 1 – won by Park – Magomedov had to be helped off the mats.

 

The crowd applauded as Magomedov rose for Round 2. Park’s competitive mindset remained focused.

 

“I felt sorry for him, but it was the Olympic final,” Park said. “My attention was on the game.”

 

Round 2: The Korean stabbed forward, fighting physically, in-close. The Azeri appealed a head kick: Rejected.

 

Park scored a knockdown with a back kick to the face. 10-1 up, he attacked, driving Magomedov back, out of the area and onto the mats.

 

Medics arrived but this time, the Azeri could not continue - granting Park gold. The Korean embraced his downed opponent.

 

Park started Taekwondo aged 11 with dreams of Olympic gold. At Grand Palais, the dream was delivered.

 

“It was unbelievable!” he said. “I did it!”

 

All that remained was to collect. Park and Magomedov walked to the podium shoulder to shoulder, the Korean supporting the limping but smiling Azeri. The crowd roared their approval. A special moment.

 

Having struggled to cut weight, Park can finally relax, watch movies and eat caramel popcorn. (“He really likes sweet things!” a colleague confided.)

 

Now, after reaching Taekwondo’s pinnacle at a young age – what next? “My dream is to be a long-time player,” he said.

 

That means Team Korea’s gruelling qualification processes; the Grand Prix; next year’s Worlds in Wuxi, China; and LA 2028.

 

Park is working on his English, a skill that will enable him to engage with competitors from across Taekwondo’s wide world.

 

Yawning – he did not sleep the night after his victory – he insisting on addressing the fans in Grand Palais.

 

“I really want to thank everyone who was cheering for me,” Park said.