TASHKENT, Uzbekistan : The 15th World Taekwondo Junior Championships kicked off on April 12 at the Olympic City Martial Arts Sports Complex in Tashkent, featuring a record 986 athletes from 115 nations, the largest field in the event’s history. The week-long competition runs through April 17 and has quickly delivered memorable performances across multiple weight categories.
The opening ceremony showcased Uzbek cultural performances and was attended by World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won and senior sport officials, underlining the importance of this event in the sport’s development pathway.
Day One: Early Golds and Technical Mastery
The first finals concluded on April 12 with three champions crowned in dominant fashion:
Chieh Ling Wang (Chinese Taipei) successfully defended her junior title in the women’s −46 kg division, defeating Elizaveta Bystrova (Russia) with an opening round score of 26-17 and closing on a clear points gap. Bronze medals went to Deya Peeva (Bulgaria) and Olha Malenko (Ukraine).
Eom Si-mok (South Korea) claimed gold in the men’s +78 kg division, controlling both rounds against host nation favourite Alisher Pak. The final scores were 14-5 in the first round and 8-6 in the second. Bronze medals were awarded to Petros Giannouchidis (Greece) and Mohmmad Dar Ali (Jordan).
Kunyue Ren (China) captured the women’s −59 kg title with a 2-0, 12-7 victory over Cansu Şeyhoğlu (Türkiye). Pinar Lotfizadeh (Iran) and Salma Mohammed Essam El Din Mohamed (Egypt) completed the podium.
Iran’s Continued Success and Multiple Titles
Iranian athletes maintained a strong podium presence on subsequent days:
Mohammad Erfan Khodaei began Iran’s campaign with a dominant run to gold in the men’s −55 kg, winning all six bouts 2-0 and establishing early momentum.
Hana Zarrinkamar secured gold in the women’s +68 kg, defeating a series of opponents from Greece, the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Croatia before overcoming Binova (Czech Republic) 2-0 in the final.
Benyamin Soltanian added another gold for Iran in the men’s −73 kg, finishing the final with a convincing 2-0 win over Seung Min Ahn (South Korea).
Other Medal Performances
Ukrainian competitors have also reached the podium, with Olha Malenko earning bronze in −46 kg and Roman Hodima taking bronze in −73 kg.
Medal distribution continues to evolve as the championships progress through categories ranging from flyweight to heavyweight for both boys and girls.
Significance and Outlook
This year’s World Junior Championships are notable not only for the record participation but also for their role as an early indicator of emerging talent ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar later this year. With technical refinements and rule changes aimed at enhancing bout activity, the competition has emphasized both athletic skill and strategic depth.
Organizers and officials have lauded the event’s smooth execution, reflecting Uzbekistan’s growing stature as a host of major international sporting events, and the strong competitive spirit displayed by the next generation of taekwondo practitioners.
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