2012 WUC Taekwondo Update: Final Day of Competitions

The Closing ceremony included excellent taekwondo performances from the Korea Tigers

POCHEON – Day six in Pocheon saw the final competition day and closing of the 12^th World University Taekwondo Championship. The Kyurugi Men’s -63kg and -87kg; and Women’s -53kg and -73kg weight categories were decided and followed shortly by an impressive Closing Ceremony to what can only be considered a successful event.

The day started up well enough with the presence of a very important visitor, none other than the President of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Mr. Chung Won Choue. It is the first time that a WUC Taekwondo is held in Korea and this for sure was enough reason for such an illustrious visit. Mr. Choue met with FISU CT chair for Taekwondo Mr. Ken Min, as well as the local organisers and referees officiating the event.

In the Kyorugy competition, Men’s -63kg weight category, Umut Bildik from Turkey beat Arnaud Sangue from France by 1-0 to claim the gold medal. Bronze medallists were Yong Won Lee from Korea and Borja Rios Cortegoso from Spain. In the Women’s -53kg category, Yu Jin Kim from Korea defeated Floriane Liborio from France in the final by 5-4. Third place went to Yi Hsuan Tseng from Chinese Taipei and Catherine Kang the Central African Republic. 

Closing ceremony at the 12th WUTC in Pocheon, Korea

The Men’s -87kg weight category saw Kyo Don In from Korea win the final by 7-3 over Yaxin from China. Bronze medals were awarded to Askari Mehranfrom Iran and Jesus Torres Alcala from Mexico. In the Women’s -73kg category, Mi Yeon Park from Korea beat Guzel Kurbanova from Russia by 6-1 to win the gold. Third place went to Yeh Song Shiung from Chinese Taipei and Melda Akan from Germany.

After the awarding ceremonies, the Closing ceremony took place with Mr. Seo Jang Won, President of the 12^th World University Taekwondo Championship Organising Committee, addressing all attendants and thanking the teams, athletes and officials for their excellent efforts in making the event so successful. FISU Executive Committee member, Mrs. Penninah Kabengue, followed thanking the Organising Committee for its efforts and addressed a special thank you note to the outstanding volunteers.

As FISU anthem was played and the FISU flag was lowered and brought by a local taekwondo athlete to the President of the OC, Mr. Won, who in turn passed it back to FISU. Mrs. Kabengue passed it then on to Mr. Li, Secretary General of the 2014 World University Taekwondo Championship Organising Committee that will take place in Hohhot, China. This will be the final edition of the World University Taekwondo Championships before the sport becomes compulsory on the Summer Universiade programme in 2017.

(Source: Yoonsu KIM, 2012 WUC Taekwondo OC)

Results Kyorugi (May 30)

Kyorugi Men’s -63kg: Gold: Bildik (TUR), Silver: Sangue (FRA), Bronze: Lee (KOR) and Rios Cortegoso (ESP)

Kyorugi Men’s -87kg: Gold: In (KOR), Silver: Yaxin (CHN), Bronze: Askari (IRI) and Torres Alcala (MEX)

Kyorugi Women’s -53kg: Gold: Kim (KOR), Silver: Liborio (FRA), Bronze: Tseng (TPE) and Kang (CAR).

Kyorugi Women’s -73kg: Gold: Park (KOR), Silver: Kurbanova (RUS), Bronze: Yeh (TPE) and Akan (GER).