MUJU, Korea (Sep 8, 2024) - The action-packed Muju Taekwondowon 2024 World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond Game concluded today with the pair events, as Mexico, Korea and France clinched the final gold medals on offer. 

The event, held from 6-8 September at the T1 Arena in Muju, Korea, saw over 110 athletes from seven countries - Australia, France, Korea, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Rwanda - competing at the innovative event. 

Mexico’s duo of Carlos Cortes and Leonardo Gomez Cruz came out on top in the pairs M-130kg category. They overcame Mongolia’s Purevdash Yondonjamts and Enkhjin Tumenjargal 2:0 in a thrilling final. The bronze medals were shared by Rwanda and Kazakhstan.

In the M-160kg pairs, Korea’s Ji Hoon Jung and In-ho Park clinched gold after defeating France’s Oswin Agbogbe Salanon and Bassem Amri 2:0. Kazakhstan and Australia shared the bronze medal spot on the podium. 

The pairs F-135kg final saw France’s Estelle Causse and Bintou Diakite claim gold in a closely contested 2:1 victory over Australia’s Sofia Typou and Hannah Kiefer. Kazakhstan and Mongolia shared the bronze medals.  

The Octagon Diamond Games take place in a visually striking arena, featuring spectacular lighting and dynamic stage effects. Matches are held in an octagon-shaped area with a 45-degree sloped surface, creating a unique, trench-like environment.

The competition follows a best-of-three format, with each round lasting two minutes for individual and pair events and three minutes for mixed gender team events. Each participant starts with 150 points per round, with the goal of depleting the opponent's power bar first to claim victory.