Choi Won-suk is a photojournalist at The Korea Times. Before joining the newspaper, he also worked as a photojournalist with AFP and St. Joseph News-Press in Missouri. He spent 13 years in the United States, graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism degree (Cum Laude) from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a Master of Arts in Photography from Ohio University - Athens. Over the past 11 years, Choi covered various news events such as presidential elections, the 2019 North Korea-United States Hanoi Summit and 2022 Qatar World Cup. But above all, Choi believes in local journalism and finds a lot of joy telling life stories of ordinary citizens in small neighborhoods.
Uzbekistan claims multiple golds at Rome 2026 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix
Para taekwondo athletes compete on the first day of the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Choi Won-suk
ROME — Athletes from nine countries took home gold medals Thursday at the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix, with Uzbekistan finishing as the only nation to secure multiple titles at the Foro Italico.
Uzbekistan’s Kudrat Muhammadiev won the men’s K44 under 80 kilogram division, outlasting Korea’s Joo Jeong-hun in three rounds. Teammate Guljonoy Naimova added a second gold, dispatching Russia’s Elena Savinskaia in two rounds in the women’s K44 over 65 kilogram final.
Uzbekistan’s Kudrat Muhammadiev (red) competes with Korea’s Joo Jeong-hun during the men’s K44 under 80 kilogram on the first day of the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Uzbekistan narrowly missed a third title when Great Britain’s Matt Bush beat Asadbek Toshtemirov in the men’s K44 over 80 kilogram final. The referee stopped the contest in the second round after Toshtemirov, the reigning Paralympic champion, sustained an injury.
In the women's divisions, Mexico’s Claudia Romero bounced back after losing the first round to beat Thailand’s Khwansuda Phuangkitcha for the K44 under 47 kilogram title. An all-Brazil final in the K44 under 57 kilogram class saw Silvana Mayara Cardoso Fernandes concede the first round to Maria Eduarda Machado Stumpf before coming back to win the next two rounds to take the match and gold.
Greece’s Christina Gkentzou celebrates after winning a match against Brazil's Ana Carolina Silva de Moura of Brazil in the K44 under 65 kilogram final on the first day of the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Greece’s Christina Gkentzou outpointed Paralympic gold medalist Ana Carolina Silva de Moura of Brazil in the K44 under 65 kilogram final. Georgia’s Ana Japaridze swept past Turkey's Meryem Betül Çavdar in straight rounds for the K44 under 52 kilogram gold.
On the men's side, Azerbaijan’s Sabir Zeynalov beat Korea’s Lee Pyeong-gang in two high-scoring rounds to win the K44 under 58 kilogram division. Lee had eliminated Paralympic champion Asaf Yasur of Israel in the semifinals.
Spain’s Joel Martin Villalobosm, left, competes with Turkey's Mahmut Bozteke during the men’s K44 under 63 kilogram final on the first day of the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Turkey's Mahmut Bozteke captured the men’s K44 under 63 kilogram gold, defeating Spain’s Joel Martin Villalobos. Bozteke advanced after beating Morocco’s Ayoub Adouich, the 2025 Para Taekwondo Male Athlete of the Year, in the semifinals.
Hometown favorite Antonino Bossolo of Italy won the first round of the men’s K44 under 70 kilogram final, but Japan’s Shunsuke Kudo rallied to take the next two rounds and the title.
Athletes compete in the final matches of the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, June 4. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Action at the Foro Italico shifts Friday to the standard World Taekwondo Grand Prix, featuring the women’s under 57 and under 67 kilogram classes alongside the men’s under 80 kilogram division.