Korea's gold drought continues in Taekwondo Grand Prix

Iran’s Farzan Ashour Zadeh Fallah bites his gold medal after winning the men’s 58kg division of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series 3 in Manchester, U.K., Saturday. / Courtesy of World Taekwondo Federation

By Nam Hyun-woo

The men’s 58kg taekwondo favorite Kim Tae-hun failed to clinch a medal in the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series 3, Saturday, as Korea continued its gold drought on the second day of the competition in Manchester, U.K.

The number one ranked Olympic fighter was defeated 11-6 by the lower-ranked Shuai Zhao of China in the quarterfinals, losing straight points from punches to the head in the third round.

Kim’s compatriot and number five ranked Cha Tae-moon also faced early elimination from the tournament, following his 20-8 point gap loss to Farzan Ashour Zadeh Fallah of Iran. The point gap decision refers to the early end of a bout when a competitor has a 12-point lead from the end of the second round.

The Iranian bagged the gold in the division against Zhao.

The women’s favorite in the 49kg division, Kim So-hui, failed to add to her gold medal from the Incheon Asian Games, finishing her campaign early in quarterfinals after suffering a 13-10 defeat to Gonda Ivett of Hungary.

Iran won two gold medals in the men’s 58kg and 80kg divisions, while Spain took one in the women’s 49kg category on the second day.

So far it has been a dismal campaign in the U.K. for Korea.

On the opening day, Lee In-jong claimed a bronze in women’s 67kg fighting, but other favorites such as Incheon Asian Games gold medalist Cho Cheol-ho and Hwang Kyung-seon (a two-time Olympic champion in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics) suffered early exits in the men’s 80kg and women’s 67kg divisions, respectively.

A total of 236 athletes from 56 different countries are competing at the Manchester Central Convention Complex for top honors and prize money in the Grand Prix event, which continues until Oct. 26.