The 2024 World Junior Taekwondo Championships, “Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships” in Chuncheon, South Korea, yesterday had 4 gold medals up for grabs.
Men’s 73 kg category, “Q” Natthapat Meesuk, a silver medalist at the Korea Open 2024, received a bye in the first round and competed in the second round, defeating Gudmunder Folgi Sigurjohnson from Iceland 2-0 sets, advancing to the last 16 to meet Park Jae Jeon, the favorite in this category from South Korea. In this game, “Q” encountered the weight and speed of the host athletes before being unable to resist, losing 0-2 sets 2-15, 0-12, ending his journey in the last 16.
After the match, 17-year-old ‘Q’ Nattapat, who is competing in the world youth competition for the first time, said that in his first match on the field, he met an Icelandic athlete who was taller but not as strong as the South Korean athlete he met in the round of 16. He admitted that he could not compete and would like to come back and try again in the world championsh
ip in the people’s division.
Men’s 78kg “King” Chananin Kulkuson competed in the second round against Isaf Melikoff, an athlete from a neutral country. In both rounds, Chananin tried to kick, but Melikoff managed to catch the better timing and score, causing Chananin to lose 0-2, 3-10 and 1-4 in rounds, and was eliminated in the last 32.
42kg Women’s First Round “Focus” Arisa Saelee, the 2022 World Youth Gold Medalist in Bulgaria, met Manel Cassé Gruet from France. In this match, “Focus” tried to show off her fighting form, but was intercepted by several kicks before losing 0-2, 5-13, 3-15, and was eliminated in the first round.
Women’s 68 kg. First round, “Pin” Petchda Srichantuek, the silver medalist of the Korea Open 2024, met Daria Krivova, an athlete from a neutral country. In this game, Petchda tried to seize the opportunity to kick and fight, but her opponent had heavier and more accurate weapons. In the end, she could not resist and lost 0-2, 2-12, 0-10, and was eliminated.
‘King’ Chananin, ‘Focus
‘ Arisa and ‘Pin’ Petchda all expressed their disappointment with their performance, but tried their best to fight. They promised to return to training to develop themselves further, with the goal of being selected for the senior national team in the future.
After 5 days, 13 Thai kickboxers have entered the field and have not yet been able to win a medal. Today is the last day, with 3 gold medals up for grabs. Thailand has sent kickboxers to compete in all 3 categories, including the 59 kg men’s category, “Bew” Thanaphum Fueangnoi, winner of the gold medal at the Korea Open 2024; the 68 kg men’s category, “Aon” Krityach Prompat, winner of the gold medal at the Korea Open 2024; and the 55 kg women’s category, “Plaifah” Anna Yookasem, competing.
Source: Thai News Agency