The 38th European Taekwon-Do Championships in 2024 at the Medical University of Lublin in Poland saw Norwegian dominance, with Slovenia and Ireland also securing top positions on the podium in a competition boasting a record number of participants
The European Taekwon-Do Championships concluded on Sunday in Lublin, southeastern Poland. Norway emerged victorious in the 38th edition, leading for much of the senior tournament, although Romania briefly took the lead on the second day. The championship celebrated the martial art born in South Korea almost seven decades ago.
Norwegian athletes claimed gold medals right from the beginning of Sunday’s session. Mats Lind (2nd Dan) and Lars Tønder (3rd Dan) secured victory in the men’s singles, while Helene Mb emerged triumphant in the women’s 70-75kg singles category.
Lind and Tønder, along with Theo Lægreid Loodtz, Ingebrigt Steinkjer, Emil Kristensen, and Zaniar Kiyani, clinched the male pattern team title. Similarly, Ann Linnea Hole, Marte Blegen, Tina Katrin Holten, Rita Moseng Sivertsvik, Solveig Lund Haukebø, and Jenny Marvel Listhaug secured victory in the female pattern team event, resulting in the Norwegian national anthem being played. Selma Li had already secured her gold medal in the Individual Female Pattern 2nd Dan on Saturday.
In the afternoon, the Scandinavians added four more medals, although none were gold. Despite this, their exceptional performance in the morning session propelled them to the top, securing six gold, eight silver, and five bronze medals overall.
Slovenia secured second place with four golds, two silvers, and one bronze medal, while Ireland followed closely with nine medals, though only one was silver. Ziga Zagoranski claimed gold for Slovenia in the men’s 57-63kg category, while Bian Nabernik triumphed in the 63-69kg division. Urša Terdin clinched gold in the women’s 65-70kg category and was also part of the victorious Slovenian sparring team, alongside Tina Baloh, Elizabeta Crnkovic, Tyra Barada, Maša Kenjalo, and Larisa Žagar-Slemešek.
Hosts Poland accumulated the most medals overall with a total of 20, yet their three gold medals were not enough to secure a podium finish. Consequently, they settled for fourth place, ahead of Romania, who also attained three golds from their 15 medals.
Italy, despite being clear champions in terms of fan support, finished in a modest 10th place. Their position was boosted by Giovanni Vitiello’s gold in the Individual Male Pattern event and five other medals, which were celebrated with enthusiastic chants from their delegation.
The Polish National Team emerged as the champions of the 29th AETF Junior European Taekwon-Do Championships 2024, securing nine gold, five silver, and ten bronze medals. Ukraine followed closely with seven gold, four silver, and three bronze medals, while Ireland completed the podium with three gold, five silver, and five bronze medals.
In the 1st AETF Pre-Junior European Taekwon-Do Championships 2024, Ukraine claimed victory with 23 medals (nine gold, five silver, and nine bronze). Romania secured second place with five gold, five silver, and six bronze medals, followed by Poland with three gold, five silver, and four bronze medals
Indeed, the European Taekwon-Do Championships provided an excellent opportunity to witness some of the world’s best practitioners in action. Many of these athletes will also compete at the 2024 World Championships in Mar del Plata, scheduled for the end of October and beginning of November.
Nearly 840 competitors experienced five days of camaraderie and shared their love for the martial art in a bustling stadium. Officials utilized the event as an opportunity to foster relationships and enhance the development of European Taekwondo during their time in Lublin. Additionally, they relished the high level of competition showcased across the six rings of the Lublin Medical University Stadium.
From the European Congress, which saw the attendance of 32 delegates, to discussions about proposals for constitutional changes aimed at aligning with the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), to efforts to consolidate federations in countries with multiple representations, the European Taekwon-Do Championships demonstrated a remarkable success. Additionally, the tournament was thoroughly enjoyed by all, thanks to the exceptional organization provided by the Polish federation from start to finish.
