CHUNCHEON, Korea (Oct 3, 2024) - It was another history-making day in Taekwondo for Uzbekistan, as Dilmurodjon Marufjonov was crowned men’s -45kg junior world champion in Chuncheon, Korea.
At the age of 16 and competing against many older opponents, Marufjonov starred throughout the competition at the World Taekwondo Junior Championships. He won both rounds by technical superiority in his semi-final against Canada’s Zach Gillis and scored highly in the final against Mexico’s Jorge Armando Rodríguez Cordero, taking the two rounds 18-15 and 14-6.
In doing so, he became Uzbekistan’s first-ever gold medallist at the World Taekwondo Junior Championships, an achievement which brings a sense of pride for Marufjonov.
He reflected on a successful day in Chuncheon.
“First of all, thanks to the organisers for such a wonderful tournament. I really liked how everything was done here,” Marufjonov said.
“I am very happy because I got gold, but it was not easy to get this medal. Thanks to my parents for sending me to Taekwondo.”
Marufjonov previously won a silver medal at the 2022 World Cadet Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is an athlete big ambitions, and justifiably so on the evidence of his performances in Chuncheon.
The 2025 Asian Youth Games in Tashkent provides an opportunity for him to star on home soil at a multi-sport event, and beyond that he is hoping to reach the summit at the Olympic Games.
“I would like to use this result and competition as a first step,” he said.
“My future goal is to win at the Asian Youth Games next year, and my dream is to become an Olympic champion.”
The achievements of Ulugbek Rashitov have helped to elevate Taekwondo in Uzbekistan. At the Olympic Games in Paris earlier this year, he achieved the rare feat of winning back-to-back gold medals in the men’s -68kg category.
For Marufjonov, Rashitov is what he describes as a “hero” to look up to and try to match or even better his feats. While Marufjonov does not yet train with Rashitov at the junior stage of his career, it is clear the two-time Olympic champion is having a positive influence on him.
“I always talk to him, get some advice from him, and try and copy his style,” Marufjonov said.
Marufjonov is clear on what he needs to do to fulfil his ambitions too, with his winning mentality evident as he speaks. More major event experience after the World Taekwondo Junior Championships will stand him in good stead.
“First I would like to gain experience at big events as much as I can. Secondly, I would like to win all of these matches!,” he said.
He has emerged as one of the future stars of the World Taekwondo Junior Championships, and is one to watch in the years ahead.
