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Korea Takes 6 Golds, Owns 2nd Day of World Poomsae Championships

09_December_2012

 

Day 2 of the 7th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships lived up to the high standard set by the first day. The stands were packed again all day as fans came to cheer on their favorite nations. While their enthusiasm for their teams filled the San Antonio Coliseum, it was Korea that dominated the second day by taking every gold medal, save the women's freestyle competition.

 

The Korean flag and national anthem was played six times during medal ceremonies as they stood atop of the medal podium in male and female under 29, under 49, and under 59 age categories. While all impressed the judges with their near perfect moves and almost as flawless presentation, it was Su-Ji Kang that had the crowd "ooing" and "awing" with her angelic grace and unmatched flexibility. Kang scored the highest marks of the competition so far that put her comfortably in front of her fellow, and also phenomenal, competitors.

 

Wang-Kon Hwang displayed an impressive final set to claim the male under 29 gold medal. Cheol Hee Lee and Kyeong Ran Oh sailed through their final routines in male and female under 49 categories, respectively to put gold around their necks. Their senior teammates Byoung Yong Lim and Yeong Ae Seo matched their results in their respective male and female under 59 categories.

 

But the loudest cheers once again came for the freestyle poomsae division as the women took their turn to kick, twist, and flip their way across the mat.

 

Mikeala Calamba of the Philippines edged her way into the gold medal slot by delivering and exhilarating performance that displayed her unparalleled flexibility and balance. But her competitors didn't give up the fight for the first ever freestyle title. Vietnam's Chau Tuyet Van was just barely behind Calamba to take the silver. Indonesia's Defia Rosmaniar and the United States' Ann Bernadette Rodriguez also gave action-packed performances to claim bronze medals.

 

With Korea's big win today, they found themselves ahead in the medal standing with six golds, one silver, and one bronze. The United States, though in first place after day one, added three medals to stay in the top two with three golds, one silver, and two bronzes. A total of 18 countries have received medals over the first two days.

 

Day three will see more excitement fill the coliseum as male and female under 39 compete and the first team competition will begin with male and female under 29.

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