Chuncheon 2026 Closes with Five Nations on Top in World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge
The Chuncheon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge concluded on July 9 at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome in Chuncheon, Korea, closing two days of elite competition that once again highlighted the international expansion of Para Taekwondo.
After Türkiye’s double gold on the opening day, the final session confirmed the growing global depth of Para Taekwondo, with champions from Iran, Greece, Korea, Uzbekistan and Russia.
After an opening day led by Türkiye, which claimed two gold medals in the men’s divisions, the final day delivered a wider distribution of titles, with athletes from five different Member National Associations standing on top of the podium.
The event brought together 165 athletes from 36 countries, along with the Refugee Team and World Taekwondo (Costa Rica), and featured 21 Paralympic medallists from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 across the two days of competition.
Iran opens the final day with gold
Iran’s Amirmohammad Haghighatshenas claimed the first gold medal of the day in the Men’s K44 -70kg division, following the withdrawal of Uzbekistan’s Kudratulla Sunnatov from the final.
The result gave Iran an early title on the closing day and set the tone for a session in which no single delegation dominated the podium.
Gkentzou defeats reigning Paralympic champion
One of the strongest results of the day came in the Women’s K44 -65kg category, where Greece’s Christina Gkentzou, bronze medallist at Paris 2024 and recently crowned European champion, defeated reigning Paralympic champion Ana Carolina Silva de Moura of Brazil in the gold medal match.
The victory reinforced Gkentzou’s position among the leading figures in the division and added another major result to her international season.
Korea, Uzbekistan and Russia complete the gold medal list
In the Men’s K44 -80kg final, Korea’s Jeong Hun Joo, a two-time Paralympic bronze medallist, defeated Iran’s Alireza Bakht to secure gold for the host nation.
Uzbekistan also reached the top of the podium through Guljonoy Naimova, Paris 2024 silver medallist and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion, who defeated Russia’s Elena Savinskaia in the Women’s K44 +65kg final.
The final gold medal of the event went to Russia’s Aliaskhab Ramazanov, silver medallist at Paris 2024, after defeating Uzbekistan’s Umarjon Muydinov in the Men’s K44 +80kg final.
Côte d’Ivoire confirms its rise
Beyond the gold medal matches, Côte d’Ivoire delivered one of the most relevant performances of the tournament.
Bi Assamoa Michel Chris Boli earned bronze in the Men’s K44 -70kg division, adding to the silver medal won by his compatriot Aboubacar Sidiki Samake in the Men’s K44 -63kg category on the opening day.
Both athletes had taken part in the Para Taekwondo Training Camp at Muju Taekwondowon from July 1 to 6, just days before the competition in Chuncheon. Their results provided a strong example of how development programs can translate into competitive impact on the international stage.
Chuncheon remains at the center of World Taekwondo activity
The Chuncheon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge closed with a clear competitive message: Para Taekwondo is no longer defined only by a small group of dominant nations. The medal distribution across the final day showed a broader and more competitive global field, with athletes from multiple regions challenging Paralympic champions and established contenders.
World Taekwondo activity in Chuncheon will continue on July 13 with the Demonstration and Breaking Championships, followed by the World Cup Team Championships from July 14 to 16.
With Paralympic champions, emerging nations, refugee athletes and development camp participants all sharing the same stage, Chuncheon once again positioned itself as an important meeting point for the present and future of international Taekwondo.
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