SEOUL: South Korea took the first two gold medals in the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships on Sunday with victories for both the men and women.

In the men’s under-54kg category, Kim Tae-Hun, bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, defeated Armin Hadipour of Iran 10-6 to win a third successive world title.

Sim Jae-Young added a second gold for the host nation in the women’s under 46 kg event.

In the earlier semi-final, Kim strolled past Vito Dell’Aquila of Italy 16-0 while Hadipour defeated Thailand’s Ramnarong Sawekwiharee 25-23.

Sim Jae-Young defeated Vietnam’s Truong Thi Kim Tuyen 18-9 to make it two out of two for Korea and secure her first-ever world title.

Sim moved into the final by beating Andrea Ramirez of Colombia 19-6 while Truong overcame Thaila­nd’s Napaporn Chara­nawat 9-8.

But there was some bad news for the home crowd in the women’s under-49kg category that started on Sunday.

2016 Olympic champion Kim So-Hui was eliminated at the quarter-finals by China’s Wenren Yuntao 8-6. The tournament, held every two years, runs until Friday in Muju, 240 kilometres (149 miles) south of Seoul.

Results:

Finals:

Men’s under 54kg 1. Kim Tae-hun (KOR) 2. Armin Hadipour (IRI) 3. Ramnarong Sawekwiharee (THA) 3. Vito Dell’Aquila (ITA)

Women’s under 46kg 1. Sim Jae-young (KOR) 2. Truong Thi Kim Tuyen (VIE) 3. Napaporn Charanawat (THA) 3. Andrea Ramirez (COL).

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2017