The 5th edition of the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships has officially come to a close.
Seventeen of Australia’s most promising 12 to 14-year-old Taekwondo athletes did their country proud, holding their own against the world’s brightest young stars.
While some athletes were eliminated in the Round of 32, and others reached the Round of 16, it’s safe to say the entire team put in solid performances and gained valuable international experience.
Five Aussies claimed impressive victories in their opening matches, defeating opponents from across the globe.
Atharva Pansare won a very technical contest against Omid Eram of Canada in the Round of 64, before beating Serbia’s Andrej Ivanovi in the Round of 32. He was eventually defeated by the tournament’s bronze medallist, Thanpoom Fuangnoi.
Mila Clark and Angelus An both impressed in battling past Macedonian and Swedish opponents respectively, before losing tough contests in the Round of 16.
Akon Baak gave one of Australia’s standout performances with a comprehensive victory over Chinese Taipei’s Lin-en Tsai, before losing to the eventual gold medallist Kimi Laurene Ossin.
Lacie Gleeson also impressed against an Iranian opponent, before losing a competitive bout against silver medallist Parnian Saki.
Other notable performances included Diego Querubin and Leonardo Angell’s efforts against the gold and bronze medallists in their respective divisions. You can catch up on all of the Aussie results below.
Australian World Taekwondo Cadet Championship Results
Don’t forget to tune in to the World Junior Taekwondo Championships, which kicked off yesterday at the same venue in Sofia. Another 20 young Aussies are competing there until August 7. For further information, check out our guide to this event.
Australia’s para taekwondo program will be represented by two athletes on the Gold Coast this month, with Shrijana Ghising and Evie Ruffle set to contest the Australian Open, WT President’s Cup and Oceania Championships in an important competition block ahead of the Para World Championships later this year.
The Gold Coast is set to host two major World Taekwondo sparring events over one massive weekend! From proven senior campaigners to rising prospects pushing into the upper tier, here are 10 Australian athletes to watch when the action begins on the Gold Coast.
Shrijana Ghising, Australia’s newest Para Taekwondo hero has claimed a Silver Medal at the Turkish Open following a series of high-quality performances across multiple fights with some of the world’s best.
