Tajikistan’s ITF taekwondo team has won two gold medals and one silver at the 10th World Cup in Benidorm, Spain. The tournament brought together 2,681 athletes from 57 countries, making it the largest event in the competition’s history.
The World Cup was held at the Palau d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm sports complex under the auspices of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). Athletes competed in various age categories and disciplines, including sparring, patterns, special techniques and power breaking.
Tajikistan’s gold medals went to Emomali Saidov, who won the 45 kg category, and Yahyo Hodiyev, who took first place in the 50 kg category. Amir Turyaev won silver in the 40 kg category.
Six athletes represented Tajikistan at the tournament: Jasour Svanov, Manzoura Saidaliyeva, Yahyo Hodiyev, Emomali Saidov, Muhammadshoh Musoyev and Amir Turyayev.
Speaking to Asia-Plus, Furqat Urunov, head of the national federation and team coach, highlighted the contribution of the athletes, coaching staff and parents to the team’s preparation.
“It’s particularly significant that our athletes won two titles despite the small size of the delegation,” Urunov said, noting the role of coach Daler Turyayev, who accompanied the team in Spain.
He added that the tournament provided an opportunity to assess the athletes’ preparation against strong international competitors.
Daler Turyayev also stressed the importance of the experience gained in Benidorm. Unlike world championships, the ITF World Cup is held in a club format, bringing together athletes of different ages, from young competitors to veterans.
Around 260 clubs took part, with bouts held simultaneously on 11 courts. A significant proportion of the competitors were under 18.
Turyayev described the gold medals won by Saidov and Khodiev as particularly valuable, saying their victories demonstrated that Tajikistan’s athletes can compete for top honors at major international tournaments.
The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) is an international organization established on March 22, 1966, by South Korean martial artist Choi Hong Hi in Seoul, South Korea, to promote and develop the Korean martial art of taekwon-do worldwide.
The federation coordinates and sanctions tournaments and seminars, establishes standards for training and competition, including patterns, sparring and breaking techniques, and cooperates with affiliated member organizations. It also provides services related to rankings and certification.