(Aug. 21, 2024) - With a week to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we look at the Para Taekwondo stars – from the favourites to the newcomers – who are ready to captivate the world with their skill, strategy and speed, at the Grand Palais from  August 29-31.

 

In the first edition of the series, we focus on the W-47kg, W-52kg and M-58kg categories, the three finals to feature on Day one of Para Taekwondo competition in Paris.

 

Women K44 -47kg

Ziyodakhon Isakova (UZB)

A top performer in Grand Prix circuit, the Uzbek star will be among the ones to watch out for in this category. After clinching her first world championship title in Veracruz last September, Isakova will be aiming to repeat her top form to claim her first Paralympic podium in Paris. Last year, she also claimed the silver medal at the Asian Para Games 2022.

 

Khwansuda Phuangkitcha (THA)

With five gold in her cabinet over the past one year, Phuangkitcha will be the player to beat at Grand Palais on the opening day. The Hangzhou 2022 APG gold medal, which she achieved beating Isakova, and the Veracruz 2023 World Championships bronze medal were the high points of her results last year. 

 

Claudia Romero (MEX)

The winner of World Taekwondo Athlete of the Year 2023 award will be eager to end on the podium at Paris after her series of four second place finishes this year. She is also the World bronze medallist and Parapan Am Games silver medallist. 

 

Leonor Angelica Espinoza Carranza (PER)

Espinoza Carranza cliched the first Paralympic gold medal for Peru when she triumphed in Tokyo 2020. She will be hoping to keep her title in Paris, though the road to glory will be challenging. She will hope to take the confidence out of her gold medal win at Santiago 2023 Parapan Am Games and silver at the Worlds.

 

Zakia Khudadadi (Refugee Paralympic Team) 

Khudaddadi, who flew from Afghanistan in 2021 only to become her country’s first women to compete at Paralympics at Tokyo 2020, will be in spotlight again at Paris 2024 as she competes as Refugee Team athlete. The reigning European champion will be keen to put up a medal winning show at a nation, where she is living and training for some time now. 

 

 

Women K44 -52kg

Jessica Garcia Quijano (MEX)

The Mexican will be the favourite to take the gold after her first World title last year. That medal also announced her arrival on big stage, which she followed with a silver medal at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. Now she is all focused to live her dream of her first Paralympic medal.

 

Salma Ali Abd Al Moneem Hassan (EGY)

The Egyptian made history last year when she won the nation’s first gold medal at a Grand Prix in Veracruz, Mexico. She continued her good run to take the silver at World Championships 2023, shocking top ranked and Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Meryem Betul Cavdar en route to the finals.

 

Maria Eduarda Machado Stumpf (BRA)

After an incredible 2023 where she clinched five gold medals inclduing the title at the Parapan Am Games and Grand Prix Finals, Machado Stumpf will be among the ones to watch out for in the category. This will be first Paralympics for the 19-year-old who hopes to continue the winning momentum.

 

Surenjav Ulambayar (MGL)

In 13 events she participated last year, Ulambayar finished on the podium 12 times that had five top spots. The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Gmaes silver medallist should pose a strong challenge to her opponents, as she aims for for her first Paralympic podium. 

 

 

Men K44 - 58kg

Asaf Yasur (ISR)

The two-time world champion will be the favourite to clinch the men K44 -58kg gold, in his debut Paralympics. The top ranked Para Taekwondoin , who has impressed with his attacking and quick footwork, claimed five titles last year including his second World Championships title in Veracruz, Mexico.

 

Ali Can Ozcan (TUR)

The top Turkish player will among the main medal contenders in the category. After his European Championships and Paris 2023 Grand Prix gold medals, Ozcan will be eager to finish on the podium in his debut Paralympic Games. His rivalry with Yasur will be a treat to watch out the crowd at Grand Palais.

 

Xiang Wen Xiao (TPE)

Chinese Taipei could expect a podium finish from Xiao at Grand Palais. The Asian Para Games 2022 champion could emerge a real challenger to his opponent at Paris – it’s not too long ago that he shocked higher ranked Ali Can Ozcan at the 2023 Worlds in Veracruz. 

 

Bopha Kong (FRA)

A legend of the sport since the first World Para Taekwondo Championships in 2009 was held, Kong will be the senior most player in starting field in Paris. He will be aiming to improve his Tokyo 2020 fifth place show in front of home fans at Grand Palais.