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.
Spain's 27th seed Milán Cánovas pulls massive upset
Spain’s Juan Antonio Milán Cánovas, in blue, competes against CJ Nickolas of the United States in the men's under 80 kilogram semifinal at the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Friday. Milán Cánovas advanced to the final. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Choi Won-suk
ROME — Spain’s Juan Antonio Milán Cánovas, entering as a 27th seed, pulled off a massive upset to win gold Friday on the opening day of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico.
Milán Cánovas captured the men's under 80 kilogram title, while top seeds Maria Clara Pacheco of Brazil and Viviana Márton of Hungary won the women's under 57 and under 67 kilogram divisions in high-profile rematches of previous major championship finals.
Cánovas stunned the reigning world champion and 2025 Male Athlete of the Year Henrique Marques Rodrigues Fernandes of Brazil in the under-80 kilogram final, sweeping the bout 15-4 and 22-5.
Spain’s Juan Antonio Milán Cánovas celebrates after winning his match against Henrique Marques Rodrigues Fernandes of Brazil in the men's under 80 kilogram final at the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Friday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
To reach the final, the Spaniard orchestrated a dramatic semifinal comeback against CJ Nickolas of the United States. After losing the opening round 18-1, Cánovas rallied to win the next two rounds 9-7 and 11-9. Rodrigues Fernandes advanced to the title match by defeating reigning European champion Stefan Takov of Serbia in three rounds after dropping the first round.
Brazil's Maria Clara Pacheco, in blue, competes against South Korea's Kim Yu-jin in the women's under 57 kilogram final at the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Friday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
In the women's under 57 kilogram division, Pacheco routed No. 2 seed Kim Yu-jin of South Korea 6-2 and 14-2. The matchup was a repeat of the gold medal bout at the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships. Pacheco, the reigning world champion, did not drop a single round from the round of 16 through the final. She eliminated under-21 world champion Amina Dehhaoui of Morocco in the semifinals, while Kim reached the final by edging third-seeded Ella Brewster of Canada.
Hungary's Viviana Márton, in red, competes against Serbia's Aleksandra Perišić in the women's under 67 kilogram final at the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Friday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Márton defeated Serbia's Aleksandra Perišić 12-4 and 10-2 in the women's under-67 kilogram class, a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics final. Like Pacheco, Márton won the gold without losing a round all day. She dispatched South Korea's Hong Hyo-rim in the semifinals. Perišić advanced by outlasting European champion Styliani Marentaki of Greece in three rounds.
A member of the Italian Taekwondo Federation’s Ciao Team performs before the semifinal matches at the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Friday, June. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Prior to the semifinals, the World Taekwondo Performance Team and the Italian Taekwondo Federation’s Ciao Team held a joint demonstration.
Action at the Foro Italico continues Saturday with the women’s over 67 kilogram class, alongside the men’s under 68 and over 80 kilogram divisions.