[By NBC-1TV K, Y Yi] MUJU, Korea (Jun 12, 2022) – Fierce competition continued today at the Muju Taekwondowon 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge with China and Korea again dominating the podium to take home the final three gold medals on offer at the inaugural event. 

The final day of incredible Taekwondo action across three weight categories: W-49kg, W+67kg and M-80kg. 

In the women’s -49kg, Lee Ye-ji of Korea bested China’s Guo Qing 2-0 in the final to claim gold. In the bronze medal match, Chinese Taipei’s Jhuang Tien yu overcame Australia’s Saffron Tambyrajah 2-1 in a thrilling contest. 

Meanwhile, in the women’s +67kg, it was China’s turn to again take gold with Xu Lei’s strong performance in the final to defeat fellow Chinese athlete Wang Huan 2-0. However, Kim Hyo jung would prevent a clean sweep of the podium by China after besting Xiao Shunan 2-0 in the bronze medal match. 

In the men’s -80kg, Korea’s Seo Geon-woo claimed the country’s fourth gold medal of the event by overcoming fellow Korean, Namgoong Hwan, 2-1 in the final. In the bronze medal match, China’s Zhang Kai would go on to win bronze after besting Thailand’s Athi Sararat 2-1. 

The inaugural edition of the Muju Taekwondowon 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge, a G1-ranked tournament featuring fighters below 70 in Taekwondo’s Olympic rankings, took place in the purpose-built Taekwondowon complex in Muju, Korea.

A total of 16 athletes, those who finished in 1st and 2nd place in each weight category, booked their tickets to year’s World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester, Great Britain on October 21-23.