Last Saturday, October 11, the Venezuelan capital buzzed with excitement over the Kombat Taekwondo Challenge Series KT016, an event that cemented Venezuela’s status as an emerging hub for professional taekwondo in Latin America. Organized by Kombat Taekwondo Venezuela, under the presidency of Johandy Hernández, the event brought together national and international athletes at the iconic El Dorado Bistró, attracting hundreds of spectators and thousands of live views on YouTube.
This event is part of Kombat Taekwondo’s aggressive expansion, which already includes more than 50 junior and senior championships in countries such as the U.S., France, Brazil, and Argentina, with a world championship scheduled to take place in Guadeloupe in early December.
Of the 11 fights in Caracas, 7 ended in knockouts or technical knockouts, 3 by decision, and 1 by technical submission:
PRELIMINARIES 🇻🇪 Brayan Avendaño defeats his compatriot 🇻🇪 Elvis Salas by knockout.
🇻🇪 Keisler Lozano wins the fight against 🇻🇪 Ignacio Rivero after three rounds.
🇻🇪 José Ortega scores a knockout over 🇻🇪 Gabriel Paez.
🇻🇪 Juliana Rojas wins by decision against 🇻🇪 Lisbeth Solórzano.
🇻🇪 Pedro Quintero defeats 🇻🇪 Santiago Herrera by decision.
🇻🇪 Jorge Pedrón defeats 🇻🇪 Carlos Fernández by knockout in 30 seconds.
HIGHLIGHTS
🇻🇪 Charli Chirinos lands a spectacular knockout on 🇻🇪 William Pinto with a straight kick to the liver on the counterattack—a true old-school technique.
🇫🇷 Julien Guillerme defeats 🇻🇪 Santiago Adames by knockout after demonstrating excellent technique.
🇻🇪 Óscar Martínez defeats 🇻🇪 Laszlo Simón with an impressive knockout after just over a minute of fighting.
🇻🇪 Leonel Marín defeats 🇻🇪 Danny Miranda in what was perhaps the most shocking fight of the night, reigniting an old rivalry and sparking a new one inside the Kombat Taekwondo cage.
🇻🇪 Yveth Riobueno wins by decision over 🇫🇷 Alicia Bellón, but minutes later the result is overturned due to a system error.
WINNERS OF KT-016:
- 🇻🇪 Brayan Avendaño
- 🇻🇪 Keisler Lozano
- 🇻🇪 José Ortega
- 🇻🇪 Juliana Rojas
- 🇻🇪 Pedro Quintero
- 🇻🇪 Jorge Pedrón
- 🇻🇪 Charli Chirinos
- 🇫🇷 Julien Guillerme
- 🇻🇪 Óscar Martínez
- 🇻🇪 Leonel Marín
- 🇫🇷 Alicia Bellón
To watch the full highlights, we recommend checking out the video by KickwireTKD on YouTube. The video production was top-notch, featuring multiple camera angles and live commentary that really enhanced the experience. Additionally, the individual matches will be posted over the next few days on the official Kombat Taekwondo YouTube channel.
The KT016 was not only a sporting success but also a milestone for taekwondo in Venezuela. Johandy Hernández, president of the local organization, emphasized: “This event opens doors for our athletes, bringing disciplines together and attracting international investment.” With the addition of figures like Riobueno and Marín, and partnerships such as the one with Respect Token (integrating crypto into sports), Kombat Taekwondo Venezuela positions itself as a bridge between traditional sports and innovation.
The local crowd cheered the launch of professional taekwondo in this country. Upcoming events on the calendar include a training camp in La Guaira and potential permanent venues in Caracas.
