Twenty-six fighters from nine countries faced off in Gerardo Barrios Square.
The Kombat Taekwondo Challenge Series 019 (KT019) became a milestone for martial arts in El Salvador, as it was the first event of this magnitude to be held in the country. The event, organized by Kombat Global and Kombat Taekwondo El Salvador, brought together 26 professional fighters from nine countries on the evening of Saturday, March 7, at the iconic Plaza Gerardo Barrios in the historic center of San Salvador.
With a packed central square in the heart of San Salvador and the National Library serving as a warm-up area, the tournament featured athletes from El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, and the United States.
The fights were characterized by high intensity, with rapid exchanges, spectacular kicks, and precise strikes, typical of the Kombat Taekwondo style. The event was free to the public, which filled the square with energy and allowed for widespread promotion of the sport in the Salvadoran capital.
Josué Flores, president of Kombat Taekwondo El Salvador, gave a positive assessment of the tournament:
“Events like this put El Salvador on the international map of professional taekwondo and open doors for our athletes to compete in larger competitions.”
The winners earned valuable points in the Kombat Global international rankings, improved their professional records, and gained media exposure. In addition, KT019 serves as a prelude to upcoming continental challenges, such as the Challenge in Mexico, Brazil, and Uruguay.
With this successful evening, El Salvador has established itself as an emerging venue for high-caliber martial arts events in the region, attracting attention from the international Kombat Taekwondo community.
Exhibition match:
🔵 Jeremy Polanco 🇸🇻 vs 🇸🇻 Jhostin Martir 🔴
Main card:
🔵 Joaquín Aguilera 🇸🇻 vs 🇬🇹 Fernando Crup 🔴
🔵 Adrián Quevedo 🇬🇹 vs 🇨🇷 Andrés Castro 🔴
🔵 Melissa Marroquín 🇬🇹 vs 🇨🇴 Andrea Díaz 🔴
🔵 Marlon Guillén 🇸🇻 vs 🇬🇹 Julio Santos 🔴
🔵 Blanca Mendizabal 🇬🇹 vs 🇨🇴 Gina Castillo 🔴
🔵 Steven Merino 🇸🇻 vs 🇬🇹 Miguel Tum 🔴
🔵 Rafa Tula 🇦🇷 vs 🇬🇹 Stuardo Solórzano 🔴
🔵 Alonso Ibarra 🇲🇽 vs 🇸🇻 Steven Penate 🔴
Featured fights:
🔵 Leonel Marin 🇻🇪 vs 🇨🇷 Cristopher Benavides 🔴
🔵 Jesús Guzmán 🇦🇷 vs 🇧🇷 Felipe Teixeira 🔴
🔵 Natacha Castro 🇦🇷 vs 🇨🇴 Angela Campana 🔴
🔵 Alejandro Gordillo 🇨🇴 vs 🇺🇸 Primo Valentino 🔴
Winners of KT-019
- Jeremy Polanco 🇸🇻 (ESA)
- Fernando Curup 🇬🇹 (GUA) M. -74 kg.
- Andrés Castro 🇨🇷 (CRC) M. -68 kg.
- Melissa Marroquín 🇬🇹 (GUA) W. -57 kg.
- Marlon Guillén 🇸🇻 (ESA) M. -80 kg.
- Blanca Mendizabal 🇬🇹 (GUA) W. -67 kg.
- Steven Merino 🇸🇻 (ESA) M. -68 kg.
- Rafa Tula 🇦🇷 (ARG) M. -74 kg.
- Alonso Ibarra 🇲🇽 (MEX) M. -54 kg.
- Leonel Marin 🇻🇪 (VEN) M. -80 kg.
- Jesús Guzmán 🇦🇷 (ARG) M. -80 kg.
- Natacha Castro 🇦🇷 (ARG) -57 kg.
- Alejandro Gordillo 🇨🇴 (COL) W. -68 kg.
