Published : Aug. 1, 2011 - 17:59
South Korea has finished as the top nation at the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships after sweeping a tally of 10 medals at the annual event, which took place in Vladivostok, Russia from July 22-31.
During the three-day competition, Korea took home nine golds and one silver medal, followed by Vietnam with two golds, four silvers and one bronze.
A Korean athlete (left) competes against an athlete from Russia in the five-member kyorugi team final match at the World Poomsae Championships in Vladivostok, Russia, Saturday. (WTF)
Germany followed with two golds, two silvers and one bronze, while Taiwan won two gold, one silver and five bronze medals. The host Russia clinched one gold, four silvers and three bronzes.
The World Taekwondo Federation, the sport’s governing body, noted that this year’s competition showed an even taekwondo poomsae techniques among nations, noting that 18 countries took home at least one medal.
On the final day, Korea won two gold medals. In the men’s individual senior category, Kim Jin-han won the gold medal, with Lee Suk-kyung taking gold in the women’s individual event. Vietnam swept two gold medals in the men’s and women’s team events.
The Russia’s Far Eastern port city attracted a record number of athletes ― more than 570 participants from 53 countries around the world ― for the 6th WTF World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships.
This year, in particular, the participants wore the new poomsae uniforms created by the WTF, which it touts as practical and attractive.
The sport’s governing body also approved three Oceania countries ― Nauru, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia ― as its new members at its council meeting held during the event in Russia.
The WTF had only seven national member associations when it was established in 1973, but now with the inclusion of new members, its membership has expanded to 200, 8th-largest among international sports federations, the WTF said.
By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)