The second day of the 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge, held at the World Taekwondo Wuxi Center Stadium, featured intense competition across three weight classes, with South Korea standing out by winning two gold medals, while the Chinese hosts added another title to their tally.
The competition on November 3 focused on the women’s +67 kg, men’s -58 kg, and women’s -57 kg divisions. South Korea demonstrated its dominance by winning gold in the men’s -58 kg and women’s -57 kg categories, solidifying its position in the medal count. China, meanwhile, shone in the women’s heavyweight division, achieving an all-Chinese podium in the +67 kg category.
- Women's +67 kg: Lei Xu of China was crowned champion after defeating her compatriot Yawen Li in the final, in a match that could well be described as the most boring in the world. The bronze medal went to Zeqi Zhou, also of China, completing an all-Chinese podium.
- Men's -58 kg: Tae-Joon Park of South Korea was scheduled to face Jesús Fraile Rodríguez of Spain in the final, but the Spaniard did not show up for the match; the reasons remain unknown to this publication. The bronze medal went to Min-Kyu Park, marking a double podium finish for Korea in this weight class. Park, known for his aggressive style, expressed his satisfaction at contributing to Korea’s legacy in taekwondo.
- Women’s -57 kg: Gahyeon Kim of South Korea, a competitor straight from the KOGAS professional team, won the gold medal by defeating Shabona Abduvalieva of Uzbekistan in a final that appeared close at first, marked by solid defense and well-timed counterattacks; however, the South Korean managed to build a significant lead in both rounds and completely dominate the match. The bronze went to Kseniia Zdor, competing under the flag of Neutral Independent Athletes (NIA). This medal reinforces Kim’s reputation as one of the rising stars of women’s taekwondo on the Island of Morning Calm.
The World Taekwondo Grand Slam Challenge, which runs from November 2 to 4, is part of a series of elite events that award points toward the series ranking and serve as preparation for future international competitions; moreover, its significance is such that it offers a direct berth to the Olympic Games for those who win the series.
The third and final day, scheduled for November 4, promises more excitement with the remaining two categories. Fans can follow real-time updates via World Taekwondo’s official social media channels and, of course, Kickwire Taekwondo.
