Türkiye Strikes Twice as Chuncheon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge Opens in Korea

The opening day in Chuncheon brought together 165 athletes from 36 countries, including 21 Paralympic medallists and members of the Refugee Team.

The event brought together 165 athletes from 36 countries, along with the Refugee Team and World Taekwondo (Costa Rica), for two days of high-level competition. The presence of 21 Paralympic medallists from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 added significant weight to a tournament that has rapidly become an important platform for elite Para Taekwondo.

Türkiye dominates the men’s opening day

Türkiye made the strongest statement on the first day, winning both men’s divisions contested.

In the Men’s K44 -58kg final, Paralympic silver medallist Ali Can Özcan defeated Azerbaijan’s Sabir Zeynalov to claim gold. His victory confirmed Türkiye’s strength in one of the most competitive categories of the day.

The second Turkish title came in the Men’s K44 -63kg division, where Paralympic champion Mahmut Bozteke defeated Côte d’Ivoire’s Aboubacar Sidiki Samake in the final.

With those two gold medals, Türkiye closed the opening day as one of the standout delegations in Chuncheon.

Mongolia, Thailand and Brazil take gold in women’s divisions

The women’s competition also delivered major names and high-level performances across three K44 categories.

Thailand’s Khwansuda Phuangkitcha won the Women’s K44 -47kg division after defeating Australia’s Shrijana Ghising in the final.

In the Women’s K44 -52kg category, Paris 2024 Paralympic champion Surenjav Ulambayar of Mongolia added another international title to her record, defeating Georgia’s Ana Japaridze.

Brazil also reached the top of the podium through Silvana Mayara Cardoso Fernandes, who defeated Türkiye’s Gamze Özcan in the Women’s K44 -57kg final.

Refugee Team athletes compete on the world stage

One of the most relevant stories of the opening day was the participation of athletes from the Refugee Team, including competitors from the Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan.

Mohammad Maher Karman, competing in the Men’s K44 -58kg division, earned an impressive opening-round victory over Malaysia’s Kirthan Raj Asaithamby. He later lost a close contest against Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Xiang Wen Xiao of Chinese Taipei, narrowly missing out on a place in the later rounds.

In the Women’s K44 -52kg category, Elaf Ismaael Al-Qublan faced Brazil’s Kathlyn Vitoria Alves Soares in a difficult opening match and was eliminated in the first round.

Their participation reinforced the broader role of Para Taekwondo as a pathway for athletes competing beyond the limits imposed by displacement, conflict and restricted sporting access.

Competition concludes on July 9

The Chuncheon 2026 World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge will conclude on July 9, with medals to be decided in the Men’s K44 -70kg, -80kg and +80kg divisions, as well as the Women’s K44 -65kg and +65kg categories.

After an opening day marked by Paralympic champions, rising contenders and refugee athletes competing on the international stage, Chuncheon once again positioned itself as a key stop in the global Para Taekwondo calendar.

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