emirates7 - El Salvador made history at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah as Christopher Andre Astorga Melgar became the country’s first-ever Kyorugi world champion in any age category. His remarkable achievement came in the M -49kg division after a thrilling final against Türkiye’s Yunus Ali Körpe at the Zayed Sports Complex, where two of the three rounds were decided in the final seconds.
Astorga Melgar edged the opening round 12-12 with crucial late points. Körpe then bounced back to dominate the second round 20-7, setting up a tense decider. Despite trailing for most of the third round, Astorga Melgar staged another late comeback to secure an emotional and dramatic gold medal win.
In the semi-finals, Astorga Melgar had defeated Ivan Pakhomov, who competed as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), while Körpe advanced after beating Joshua Sosimo Rojas, who was fighting under the World Taekwondo flag.
Thailand’s Paramee Chomphuwong showcased his superiority in the M -33kg category, capturing gold with a commanding performance over AIN’s Amirali Kadyrov. Chomphuwong won both rounds convincingly—12-6 and 16-3—and did not lose a single round throughout the tournament. He had previously defeated France’s Anakin Quang in the semi-finals, while Mexico’s Diego Refugio Gallo Orozco shared third place.
In the W -33kg final, AIN competitor Dinara Sheripova overcame Serbia’s Nadja Babic, winning the first round 5-2 and the second 10-6. Sheripova had eliminated Thailand’s Thipanan Iemsa-Ard in the semis, while Babic had rallied to beat Egypt’s Jana Yousry Omar Mohamed after dropping the first round.
Chinese Taipei’s Shao Yen Wu earned the final gold of the day with a narrow win over Iran’s Dorsa Veisi in the W -55kg final, winning both rounds 3-2. Mexico’s Renata Hernandez and Türkiye’s Berfin Avci took home bronze medals after reaching the semi-finals.
The championships continue on day three with competitions in the M -45kg, M +65kg, W -47kg, and W -51kg categories. The event is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, May 14.
Astorga Melgar edged the opening round 12-12 with crucial late points. Körpe then bounced back to dominate the second round 20-7, setting up a tense decider. Despite trailing for most of the third round, Astorga Melgar staged another late comeback to secure an emotional and dramatic gold medal win.
In the semi-finals, Astorga Melgar had defeated Ivan Pakhomov, who competed as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), while Körpe advanced after beating Joshua Sosimo Rojas, who was fighting under the World Taekwondo flag.
Thailand’s Paramee Chomphuwong showcased his superiority in the M -33kg category, capturing gold with a commanding performance over AIN’s Amirali Kadyrov. Chomphuwong won both rounds convincingly—12-6 and 16-3—and did not lose a single round throughout the tournament. He had previously defeated France’s Anakin Quang in the semi-finals, while Mexico’s Diego Refugio Gallo Orozco shared third place.
In the W -33kg final, AIN competitor Dinara Sheripova overcame Serbia’s Nadja Babic, winning the first round 5-2 and the second 10-6. Sheripova had eliminated Thailand’s Thipanan Iemsa-Ard in the semis, while Babic had rallied to beat Egypt’s Jana Yousry Omar Mohamed after dropping the first round.
Chinese Taipei’s Shao Yen Wu earned the final gold of the day with a narrow win over Iran’s Dorsa Veisi in the W -55kg final, winning both rounds 3-2. Mexico’s Renata Hernandez and Türkiye’s Berfin Avci took home bronze medals after reaching the semi-finals.
The championships continue on day three with competitions in the M -45kg, M +65kg, W -47kg, and W -51kg categories. The event is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, May 14.