The host nation dominated the opening day of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, winning four of the eight titles contested. The United States secured two gold medals, while Brazil and Norway also reached the top of the podium.

The host delegation collected three individual titles and added another victory in the Female Team Under 30 division as competition began at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome.

Korean athletes set the early pace

Gahui Seol secured Korea’s first title in the Female Cadet category, finishing ahead of Australia’s Ella Kim. Joniya Yua Ysabelle Obiacoro of the Philippines and Yu Shan Chang of Chinese Taipei shared the bronze medals.

Jihye Park continued Korea’s strong start by winning the Female Junior title ahead of China’s Yuqi Li. Ka Ching Ng of Hong Kong, China and Elenielle Ong of the United States completed the podium.

Record-breaking Chuncheon 2026 World Poomsae Championships officially open

Jae Young Byeon delivered Korea’s third individual gold medal with victory in the Male Under 17 category. Mexico’s Miguel Angel Moreno Gomez earned silver, while Thailand’s Punnathorn Sirisom and Chinese Taipei’s Chiu-Yang Chao claimed bronze.

The host nation added its fourth title in the Female Team Under 30 event. Yubin Shin, Seung Min Yoo and Chae Won Seo defeated the Iranian team of Mahsa Barzegari, Dina Yaghoubi and Razieh Aghaei. The Philippines and Vietnam shared third place.

United States celebrates two world titles

The United States also made a strong start to the championships with two gold medals.

Minki Seong captured the Male Under 50 title, finishing ahead of Chinese Taipei’s Li Chung Wang. Canada’s Reza Rabiei and Korea’s Hak Dong Kim won bronze.

Thoa Nguyen and Sungwoo Ha then secured the Pair Under 60 crown after overcoming France’s Celine Hery and Farid Begag. Brazil and Hong Kong, China completed the podium.

Gold medals for Brazil and Norway

Brazil’s Raimundo Renato won the Male Under 65 category, defeating Korea’s Hakgyu Kim in the battle for the title. Denmark’s Ky-Tu Dang and Türkiye’s Mustafa Yilmaz earned bronze.

Norway completed the opening-day list of champions through Anna Kim, who took gold in the Female Under 50 division.

Malaysia’s Ester Salimun finished second, while Germany’s Tina Herrmann and Korea’s Eunju Kim shared the bronze medals.

Korea ended the first day at the top of the gold-medal standings with four titles, followed by the United States with two. Brazil and Norway secured one gold medal each.

The record-breaking championships have brought together 1,417 athletes and will continue in Chuncheon until September 20, with 42 world titles to be decided across Recognised and Freestyle Poomsae.

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