World Taekwondo Europe

E.T.U. News

Details: Published: 29 April 2017

Athens, 29 APRIL 2017

The third day of Taekwondo action in the 2^nd WTF President’s Cup in Athens, was marked by the participation of the lightest and fastest weight categories. After the showcase of talent from the Olympic medallists partaking on the first two competition days, the level of expectation was high, likewise were the matches with lots of points to enjoy.

To start with, in female -46kg category the World bronze medallist Yildirim Rukiye managed to achieve the gold medal after winning against the Ukrainian Iryna Romoldonova, the European champion 2016. The world No1 ranked Kyriaki Kouttouki making the short journey from Cyprus to Athens, climbed onto the winners’ podium collecting the bronze medal. Along with Turkey’s Akalin Ruhat, who also won the bronze which was the third medal for Turkey today.

The top-class female athlete from Serbia and Olympic silver medallist, Tijana Bogdanovic, was the favourite for winning the title in the -53kg category. The gold medallist in Montreux 2016 was part of a strong showing of female fighting talent including Patimat Abakarova of Azerbaijan, the Olympic bronze medallist Rio 2016.

The draw brought them together in prelims where the Serbian athlete won with a score of 13-7 and later on she faced the European champion Kudashova Tatiana in the final match and the Russian representative was victorious. The third places were claimed by the young hopeful athletes Dosucukur Zehra and Tarvida Inese of Turkey and Latvia respectively.

Meanwhile, in the lightest men’s category -54kg, the World No5 ranked Hadipour Seighalani Armin from Iran claimed the gold medal in the final fighting against Magomedov Gashim of Azerbaijan who won the silver medal for his country. Great Britain’s Haider Hassan and Abibilla Azamat of Russia both won the bronze medals in the relevant category.

Iranian representatives topped the male’s podium in both the -54kg and -69kg divisions. Yaghoubijouybari Abolfazl was the WTF President’s Cup champion in -69kg after his final match against the Spanish Perez Polo Javier. Azerbaijan’s second medal was the bronze of Bahrami Sina who climbed on the podium with Ketbi Si Mohamed from Belgium.

Kyriaki Kouttouki stated: “I am happy for winning the bronze medal but I know I could have done better. The positive thing was the great chance I had to learn from my mistakes and try to improve for the future. I am now in a preparation process for the Muju World Championships and I hope that I can perform better at the upcoming event. The 2^nd WTF President’s Cup was a productive experience with many great athletes, which helped me to test my skills and prepare myself for the future.”

The Results

Senior Female A-46

1.Yildirim Rukiye (TUR)

2.Romoldanova Iryna (UKR)

3.Kouttouki Kyriaki (CYP)

3.Akalin Ruhat (TUR)

Seniors Female A-53

1.Kudashova Tatiana (RUS)

2.Bogdanovic Tijana (SRB)

3.Dosucukur Zehra (TUR)

3.Tarvida Inese (LAT)

Seniors Male -54kg

1.Hadipour Seighalani Armin (IRI)

2.Magomedov Gashim (AZE)

3.Haider Hassan (GBR)

3.Abibilla Azamat (RUS)

Seniors Male A-68kg

1.Yaghoubijouybari Abolfazi (IRI)

2.Perez Polo Javier (ESP)

3.Bahrami Sina (AZE)

3.Ketbi Si Mohamed (BEL)

Details: Published: 28 April 2017

Athens, 28 APRIL 2017

The Olympic-class field of competitors was the point of attention during the 2^nd WTF President’s Cup 2017 competition day two (2).

After the realization and success of the first day of the remarkable event, the second one delivered yet more excitement from these outstanding participations. In total, five (5) Olympic medallists gave their presence today to the “Ano Liosia Olympic Indoor Hall” here in Athens and competed for the prestigious title of WTF President’s Cup champion.

One of the most exceptional participations in female categories was the bronze Olympic medallist, World and double European Champion Bianca Walkden. The Great Britain's athlete managed to win another title of champion in Athens. Competing in the heavyweight division +73kg against the World No8 ranked Aleksandra Kowalczuk she achieved one more gold medal and so the athlete of Poland won the second place. The silver Olympic medallist Anne-Caroline Graffe from France and the Spanish bronze World medallist Simon Alamao Rosanna climbed on the third place of the podium.

The European champion Lauren Williams, carried on her excellent progress and at her final fight against Johansson Elin of Sweden in -67kg division achieved the second gold medal for GBR today. The holder of two Olympic medals, Silver in London 2012 and Bronze in Rio 2016, Nur Tatar of Turkey and the bronze World medallist in Puebla Azizova Farida from Azerbaijan both won bronze medals.

In the -80kg category, group a packed field remarkable athletes made it tough work for all the aspiring champions and in the end, Beigi Harchegani Milad managed to become the WTF President’s Cup 2017 champion. The athlete from Azerbaijan successfully continued his triumphs after the bronze medal in the Olympic Games 2016 and European gold medal in Montreux during the same year.

In the final to the relevant division, he faced the silver World and European medallist Yunus Sari from Turkey, who achieved the second place in the tournament. The third place was reached by the 2014 European champion representing Moldova, Aaron Cook and Asp John from Norway.

Making their own unique memories here in Athens, the 2016 European champion Larin Vladislav of Russia added another gold medal in his collection after an impressive final match full of intensity in -87kg category against the silver medallist of the event, Ros Gamez Daniel of Spain. Bachmann Alexander and Yuksel Serdar from German and Turkey respectively, won the bronze medals.

Bianca Walkden in regard to her gold victory commented: “I am really happy I won. It was a mental roller coaster for me today and I had to stay strong after feeling pretty emotional during the earlier rounds. Halfway through the competition I felt like crying but I stayed tough and produced my best. I know I am going in the right direction for the World Championships and I feel strong and I will work on the small percentages to get my second World Championship gold medal.”

Final Results:

Senior Female A-67kg

1. Lauren Williams (GBR)

2.Johansson Elin (SWE)

3.Nur Tatar (TUR)

3.Azizova Farida (AZE)

Senior Female A+73

1.Bianca Walkden

2. Aleksandra Kowalczuk (POL)

3. Anne-Caroline Graffe (FRA)

3.Simon Alamo Rosanna (ESP)

Senior Male A-80kg

1.Beigi Harchegani Milad (AZE)

2.Sari Yunus (TUR)

3.Aaron Cook (MDA)

3.Asp John (NOR)

Senior Male A-87kg

1.Larin Vladislav (RUS)

2. Ros Gamez Daniel (ESP)

3. Bachmann Alexander (GER)

3. Yuksel Serdar (TUR)

Details: Published: 28 April 2017

Draw sheets - Saturday 29/04/2017

files/2nd WTF President's Cup/2nd WTF PC 2017 - Saturday/pc2017/Drawsheets_Cadets_Saturday_Day_3.pdf

files/2nd WTF President's Cup/2nd WTF PC 2017 - Saturday/pc2017/Drawsheets_Juniors_Saturday_Day_3.pdf

files/2nd WTF President's Cup/2nd WTF PC 2017 - Saturday/pc2017/Drawsheets_Seniors_Saturday_Day_3.pdf

Details: Published: 28 April 2017

You can watch live the 2nd WTF President's Cup 2017 - Competition day two (2) through the eight channels of live streaming.

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 1

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 2

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 3

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 4

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 5

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 6

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 7

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 8

Details: Published: 28 April 2017

Draw sheets - Friday 28/04/2017

files/WTF PRESIDENTS CUP/Drawsheets_Cadets_Friday_Day_2.pdf

files/WTF PRESIDENTS CUP/Drawsheets_Juniors_Friday_Day_2.pdf

files/WTF PRESIDENTS CUP/Drawsheets_Seniors_Friday_Day_2.pdf

Details: Published: 28 April 2017

Athens, 27 APRIL 2017

The second version of World Taekwondo President’s Cup 2017 was launched by the completion of the first day of Taekwondo action here in Athens. A world class field of competitors took to the mats in the “Ano Liosia Olympic Indoor Hall”, fighting for the prestigious title of WTF President’s Cup Champion.

To begin with, the double Olympic champion Jade Jones produced standout performances to dominate the competition. The “headhunter” from GBR added to her massive collection of trophies, the gold medal of the relevant event after her victory against Kim Ekaterina with 18-6 score in the -57kg category final and so the Russian achieved the silver medal. Eris Yaprak and Ilgun Hatice Kubra, representatives from Azerbaijan and Turkey respectively, managed to climb on the third place of the podium.

Palmer Soler Blanca of Spain faced the British athlete Eardly Courtney in the final of -49 kg division and succeeded in winning the title of WTF President’s Cup champion with a score of 25-16. The two Russians Sakhautdinova Regina and Anokhina Anastasiia both took the bronze medals.

Promising Iranian athlete Kazemi Mohammad had a significant win here in Athens and managed to claim the gold medal in -58kg, defeating the Moldovan Uscov Serghei (score 11-4). Simitsis Georgios from Greece and Artamonov Mikhail from Russia took the bronze medals for the relevant category.

The Iranian success continued with Hosseini Mirhashem, who took the second gold medal for his country in the first day of the event. The third medal today for GBR was achieved by Sinden Bradly after competing against the eventual winner in -63kg division. The World and European champion Jaouad Achab from Belgium won the third place with Brecic Lovre from Croatia.

Jade Jones (GBR) stated of her victory: “It feels great to be back after a long time off, I did miss it and have really got the hunger back now. I’m really buzzing to get a gold medal in my first competition back. I’m getting ready for the Worlds now and have two months to prepare and I really want to tick that last major title off the list”.

Final Results:

Seniors Female A -49

1. Palmer Soler, Blanca (ESP)

2. Eardley, Courtney (GBR)

3. Sakhautdinova, Regina (RUS)

3.Anokhina, Anastasiia (RUS)

Seniors Female A -57

1. Jones, Jade (GBR)

2. Kim, Ekaterina (RUS)

3. Eris, Yaprak (AZE)

3.Ilgun, Hatice Kubra (TUR)

Seniors Male A -58

1. Kazemi, Mohammad (IRI)

2. Uscov, Serghei (MDA)

3. Simitsis, Georgios (GRE)

3. Artamonov, Mikhail (RUS)

Seniors Male A -63

1. Hosseini, Mirhashem (IRI)

2. Sinden, Bradly (GBR)

3. Brecic, Lovre (CRO)

3.Achab, Jaouad (BEL)

Details: Published: 27 April 2017

Dear athletes, officials and referees,

Dear members of the world taekwondo family!

Together with the global Taekwondo family, I would like to extend my congratulations to the European Taekwondo Union and the South Hellenic Taekwondo Union on the opening of the 2nd WTF President’s Cup - Europe here in Athens.

The event is very meaningful in that the beautiful and historic city of Athens is hosting the WTF’s G-ranking tournament for the first time.

This G-2 event is the second edition of the WTF President’s Cup in the European continent, after its inaugural event in Bonn, Germany in 2016.

It is a great fact that a record of participation by 2,182 athletes, including 14 Olympic medallists, from 51 countries are competing in cadet, junior and senior weight divisions, reflecting the growing popularity of the tournament.

You are the future of taekwondo, which has solidified its Olympic status in the international sports community.

With a global membership of 208 countries and territories, the World Taekwondo Federation is also doing good things to help empower refugee children and natural disaster victims around the world.

As a fund-raising organ, we launched last year the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation in Lausanne, Switzerland. The THF is doing Board Break Challenge events at major events.I ask all of you to join this humanitarian program.

I hope to see you at the upcoming 2017 WTF World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, Korea in June this year.

One again, I would like to thank the organizers to make this event a great success.

I wish each of you athletes the best luck.

Thank you.

Chungwon Choue

President

World Taekwondo Federation

Details: Published: 26 April 2017

Athens, 26 APRIL 2017

The exceptional event, WTF President’s Cup second edition 2017, launches tomorrow and thus contestants and spectators will have the chance to compete and enjoy the dynamic G-Ranking tournament for four (4) days (April 27– 30) in the capital city of Greece.

On the occasion, the ETU President Sakis Pragalos stated: “I am delighted to welcome to Athens all the international athletes, coaches, referees and officials on the occasion of the 2^nd WTF President’s Cup-Europe 2017. I would like to thank the South Greek Taekwondo Union (ETANE) for the active contribution and all the delegates that will give their presence at the most awaited G-Ranking Taekwondo event. The power of the tournament has being emphasised by the record of participation of 2,182 athletes from 51 countries, including Taekwondo elite athletes - Olympic, World and European medallists. The 2^nd WTF President’s Cup opens the Taekwondo events’ cycle in Athens and Rhodes Island, since it is the first out of four (4) that it will be held in Greece. To all international athletes that will be present at “Ano Liosia Olympic Indoor Hall”, I would like to wish the best of the results and the most important, to enjoy this remarkable event. “

Additionally, the ETU Secretary General and President of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) Michael Fysentzidis noted: “The WTF President’s Cup-Europe is undeniably an extraordinary innovating tournament that it was held for first time in Bonn, Germany in 2016 and one year later it became an all-time record event. The attentiveness of the Taekwondo family in the next version is beyond the expectation and this is a crucial motivator for everyone involved in the provisions of the relevant G-Ranking tournament. “

Continuing, he added: “Regarding this topic, the longstanding experience of South Greek Taekwondo Union (ETANE) in organizing Taekwondo Championships toiled as a key point for preparing the best possible high-quality event for 2,182 competitors. I would like to wish good luck to all the participants and I hope that the second edition of the WTF President’s Cup will be a memorable experience for everyone.”

The “Ano Liosia Olympic Indoor Hall” in Athens, awaits the 2,182 international athletes from 5 continents and 51 countries worldwide for a unique participation at the record event.

The countries participating are: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, UK, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova , Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan and Greece.

The 2^nd WTF President’s Cup, which is organized by the European Taekwondo Union (ETU) and supported by the South Greek Taekwondo Union (ETANE), welcomes 14 Olympic medallists in total and numerous of World and European medallists.

Thus, the public will have the chance to watch live the remarkable G-2 event participations through the official YouTube channel of the South Greek Taekwondo Union (ETANE).

The WTF President’s Cup – Europe was first introduced in 2016 in Bonn, Germany with an innovating qualification method. All the medalists from all three (3) competition categories (cadet-junior-senior) were automatically qualified for the European Taekwondo Championships of the respective age category.

Subsequently, the competitors who will manage to climb on the winners’ podium in Athens, will get qualified direct to the ETU Cadet Championships 2017 in Hungary, to the ETU Junior Championships 2017 in Cyprus and to the ETU European Senior Olympic weight categories Championships 2017 in Belarus.

The media sponsors of the event are: Nova - the first digital platform in Greece, the SPORT FM 94,6 radio channel, the sport site SPORT-FM.GR and the GOAL NEWS newspaper.

2^nd WTF President’s Cup 2017 – Live Streaming

The embed codes for the first two (2) competition days are as follows:

DAY1

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 1 - Mat 1

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 1 - Mat 2

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 1 - Mat 3

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 1 - Mat 4

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 1 - Mat 5

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 1 - Mat 6

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 1 - Mat 7

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 1 - Mat 8

DAY 2

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 1

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 2

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 3

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 4

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 5

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 6

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 7

2nd WTF Presidents Cup - Europe / Day 2 - Mat 8

(Update will follow with the codes for the next two (2 )competition days after the completion of the first day of the tournament).

Details: Published: 25 April 2017

Athens, 25 APRIL 2017

1: For first time Athens city is hosting the G-Ranking Tournament - WTF President’s Cup.

2: This will be the second edition of the event in the European continent.

3: Cadet, Junior, Senior - The participating age categories.

4: The Media Sponsors of the significant tournament: Nova - the first digital platform in Greece, the SPORT FM 94,6 radio channel, the sport site SPORT-FM.GR and the GOAL NEWS newspaper.

5: National TV Channelsare interested in covering and promoting the 2nd WTF President’s Cup 2017.

8: The number of video cameras that will be located for the live streaming and number of terrains that will be used at the “Ano Liosia Olympic Indoor Hall”.

14: The supremacy of the event is highlighted by the participation of 14 Olympic medallists in total.

20: Media/Photo representatives will be present at the sport arena for covering the all-time record G-Ranking event.

27:The high-powered tournament will be realized on April 27, 2017.

32:Cameras will be used by the referees for Video-Replay purposes.

40:The number of MNA Officials attending the tournament.

50:The number of Officials that will be welcomed at the venue.

51:The number of countries participating in the 2^nd WTF President’s Cup in Athens, Greece.

60:The duration of the tournament in hours totally for four (4) days of the event.

65:International Referees officiating at the 2^nd WTF President’s Cup.

82: The men’s -68kg category is the most popular, since 82 athletes will take part.

394:The number of Clubs and National Teams attending the G-Ranking event.

402:Up to now subscribers for the event live streaming, on the official YouTube channel of the South Greek Taekwondo Union (@ETANE taekwondo)

530:Total number of coaches and trainers that participate among with their athletes in order to claim a place on the winners’ podium.

599:The number of athletes participating in Cadet age category.

789:The Senior participants of the Taekwondo event.

794:The Junior athletes of the G-Ranking tournament.

1276: WTF President’s Cup official Facebook page followers.

1976:The year the European Taekwondo Union was founded.On September 2016 its 40^th anniversary was celebrated in Bucharest, Romania.

2004:The year that “Ano Liosia Olympic Indoor Hall” was opened and hosted the Olympic sports of Judo and Wrestling and the Paralympic sports of Judo and Boccia - Athens 2004.

2016:The event passed magnificently through the baptism of fire in the continent of Europe last year in the city of Bonn in Germany.

2,182:The total number of registered athletes for the event.

6,000:The capacity of the “Ano Liosia Olympic Indoor Hall” - The arena seats up to 9,300, but only 6,000 seats were available during the Olympic Games Athens 2004.

Details: Published: 21 April 2017

Athens, 21 APRIL 2017

The innovating event was introduced in the European continent during the 2016 in the city of Bonn in Germany and one year later it became an all-time record event.Nevertheless the fact that it was a brand-new tournament among its existing ones, the WTF President’s Cup achieved to be established between the taekwondo continental unions at forthwith.

The milestone of the G-2 Tournament success was the innovation that all the medalists from all three (3) competition categories were automatically qualified for the European Taekwondo Championships of the respective age category.

In detail, for this year the the top four Cadets will qualify direct to the ETU Cadet Championships 2017 in Hungary, the top four Juniors to the ETU Junior Championships 2017 in Cyprus and the top four Seniors to the ETU European Senior Olympic weight categories Championships 2017 in Belarus.

The Expansion

Consequently, the second edition of the WTF President’s Cup 2017- Europe is expected to surpass the previous one after it has passed magnificently through the baptism of fire in the continent of Europe last year.The attentiveness of the Taekwondo public in the next version of the tournament is beyond the expectation.

More specific, 2,182 international athletes from 51 countries in total, prevented to be registered for the relevant event and all the available places have been taken one month prior the event with numerous of athletes to be excluded since the limit of participants was reached.

This is a number of an all-time record of participation in G-Ranking events worldwide and thus the 2^nd WTF President’s cup 2017 in Athens, Greece is now even more than a promising event.

The supremacy of the event is highlighted also by the participation of top-class Taekwondo athletes who will be present at “Ano Liosia Olympic Hall”. Athletes who managed to achieve to climb on the winners’ podium during the Olympic Games, World and European Championships.

Therefore, the 2^nd WTF President’s Cup welcomes 14 Olympic medallists. The Olympic Champions in Rio 2016 Radik Isayev from Azerbaijan who is also World and European Gold medallist and the double Gold Olympic medallist (also London 2012) Jade Jones. The ‘headhunter’ from Great Britain, who has a massive collection of victories, will take part at the event at the -57 weight category.

The Russian holder of the Silver Olympic Medal in Rio 2016 and Bronze in London 2012, silver World and European medallist, Alexey Deniskenko will also give his present with the Azerbaijani Beigi Harchegani Milad who won the bronze medal in the Olympic Games 2016 and the European Gold medal in Montreux the same year.

Additionally, the athlete who wrote history during the ETU European Taekwondo Championships Montreux 2016 by achieving five gold medals in a row couldn’t be truant from the 2^st WTF President’s Cup 2017 in Athens, Greece. Servet Tazegul from Turkey, holder of two Olympic Medals – Gold in London 2012 and Bronze in Beijing 2008, will be present at the most anticipated G-Ranking Event.

The Spanish double Olympic medallist, gold in London 2012 and bronze in Rio 2016, Joel Gonzalez Bonilla will participate in the -63 weight category.

The elite athletes’ participating list is way too long in female categories also and standouts the Bronze Olympic medallist, World and double European Champion Bianca Walkden. The remarkable athlete from Great Britain will be in favour of winning one more medal during the 2^nd President’s Cup in +73 kg category with the Silver Olympic medallist from London 2012 Anne-Caroline Graffe from France.

The top female Taekwondo athletes from Serbia will be also present· Milica Mandic and Tijana Bogdanovic the Gold and Silver Olympic medallist respectively. Among them will be the Spanish Silver Olympic and Gold European medallist Eva Calvo Gomez and the Egyptian bronze Olympic medallist Hedaya Malak Wahba.

Additionally, the holder of two Olympic medals Silver in London 2012 and Bronze in Rio 2016 Nur Tatar from Turkey and Patimat Abakarova (AZE) - Bronze medallist Rio2016 and Silver European medallist will travel to Athens for the outstanding event.

As it seems this tournament has already exceeded the expectations and has been estimated to continue with the countless participation of great athletes whom younger athletes will have the chance to compete and enjoyed by the spectators that will attend the event at the Olympic Hall in Athens, Greece.