MUJU, Korea (Jul 15, 2023) - The opening day of the Muju Taekwondowon 2023 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge saw Chinese Taipei win two of the three gold medals on offer with Korea taking the third. 

 

Around 100 athletes who are ranked below 70th (not including 70th) from 18 countries and one refugee team have registered for this year’s competition.

 

The first day of competition saw competition across the men’s -58kg and women’s -49kg and -57kg.  

 

In the women’s -49kg, Chinese Taipei’s Tien yu Jhuang faced Seo-rin Oh from Korea. Oh had been in impressive form throughout the day, not losing a round in the semi or quarter finals, but coming up against Jhuang proved a different challenge and the fighter from Chinese Taipei won the match 2-0. The bronze medal was won by Thailand’s Kamonchanok Seeken as she beat Korea’s Ye-ji Lee in the third place match. 

 

In the men’s -58kg, Korea were hoping for their first gold medal after narrowly missing out in the women’s -49kg. Si-yun Kim faced Thailand’s Sirawit Mahamad in the final. Between the two fighters they had only lost one round all day but in the final it was Kim who proved too strong as he won the match 2-0. The bronze medal was won by Kim’s team mate Ha bin Seok who beat fellow Korean Dae-won Lim in the bronze medal match.

 

The last final of the day matched Wei‐chun Lin of Chinese Taipei against Thi anh Tuyet Tran from Vietnam in the women’s -57kg. Lin was able to secure her country’s second medal of the day with a commanding 2-0 victory. Madina Mirabzalova from Uzbekistan denied Eun yeong Jang another medal for Korea as she won bronze. 

 

1st and 2nd placed athletes (Gold and Silver medallist) will be awarded ticket to Taiyuan 2023 World Taekwondo Grand Prix. Maximum ticket to WT Grand Prix is limited to one per nation in each weight category. 

 

Speaking at the Welcome Party of the Grand Prix Challenge, World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said:

 

“Last year, I said that the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge is a pathway for aspiring athletes to fulfil their dreams to become Taekwondo stars. I am proud to share with you that seven athletes from the inaugural GP Challenge went on to win medals in other WT-promoted events. This would not have been possible without the GP Challenge. Therefore, World Taekwondo is committed to continue promoting such opportunities for aspiring athletes, including for Para Taekwondo which will take place next month.

 

“To all athletes, I wish you all the best in the GP Challenge and look forward to even greater achievements from you.”