SOFIA, Bulgaria (11 April, 2021) - Great Britain finished the European Taekwondo Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria with two gold medals while Belarus secured one and Russia won their fourth of the tournament to finish top of the overall medal table.
It was the women’s categories in which Great Britain dominated on the final day of competition. Three-time World Champion Bianca Walkden won gold in the women’s 73kg as she overcame Poland’s defending champion, Aleksandra Kowalczuk who had to withdraw due to injury. Austria’s Marlene Jahl and Belén Moran of Spain won the bronze medals.
Walkden’s compatriot Rebecca McGowan won gold in the women’s -73kg as she beat Serbia's former Olympic champion, Milica Mandić, 20-14. Polina Khan of Russia and Doris Pole of Croatia continued their countries’ impressive performances at the Championships as they won bronze.
In the men’s -87kg, Russia’s Yury Kirichenko ensured his country’s position on top of the medal table as he won gold, overcoming Serbia’s Mahdi Khodabakhshi who had to withdraw due to injury. Italy's Roberto Botta and Croatia's Ivan Šapina took the bronze medals.
The men’s 87kg, saw Belarus' Arman-Marshall Silla win gold in a dramatic fashion as he secured a golden point after his final against Vladislav Larin of Russia finished 9-9 after three rounds. Iván García of Spain and Andrei Garbar of Ukraine won the bronze medals on offer.
With Russia top of the medal table, second place went to Great Britain and Croatia finished third.
