(Top from left) Pourrahnama, Romero, Truesdale, Awatari, Akermach. (Bottom from left) Ganbat, Gjessing, Medell, Cavdar, Kong.

 

This Article was provided by The International Paralympic Committee.

Original Article: https://www.paralympic.org/news/taekwondo-2019-ones-watch

 

Ten fighters who have potential to shine at Worlds

 

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced the Taekwondo Ones to Watch ahead of the 2019 World Championships in February in Antalya, Turkey.

 

These are athletes who have the potential to make headlines, especially with the sport set to make its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020. Their biographies are now available on the IPC website.

 

Amy Truesdale (GBR)

 

One of the pioneers of Para taekwondo who celebrated world gold on home soil in 2017, highlighting an unbeaten season in the women’s over 58 kg K44.

 

Bolor-Erdene Ganbat (MGL)

 

From the time he began competing internationally in 2015 until the time he picked up his third straight world title in 2017, Ganbat never dropped a fight in the men’s up to 61 kg K44.

 

Bopha Kong (FRA)

 

Has captured virtually every title imaginable in the men’s up to 61 kg K43 division and will be a strong favourite for the sport’s Paralympic debut.

 

Claudia Romero (MEX)

 

Stormed onto the scene in 2016 by winning Pan American Championship gold and is a teenage talent not to be missed in the women’s up to 49kg K44.

 

Evan Medell (USA)

 

Only began competing in Para taekwondo four years ago but has since become one of the most dangerous fighters in the men’s over 75 kg K44 division.

 

Kenta Awatari (JPN)

 

Hit the ground running, making the quarter finals at the 2017 Worlds – his first international tournament – in the men’s up to 61 kg K43, giving Japan plenty to look forward to in 2020.

 

Lisa Gjessing (DEN)

 

Four World Championships, four European Championships, and IWAS World Games titles. The only one left to target is a Paralympic gold in the women’s up to 58kg K44.

 

Mahdi Pourrahnama (IRI)

 

Since picking up his first Worlds medal in 2009 at 13 years old, Pourrahnama has strung together one of the best resumes. Watch for him in the men’s up to 75 kg K44.

 

Meryem Betul Cavdar (TUR)

 

Knocked off two of the top fighters in the women’s up to 49 kg K44 to claim bronze at her first World Championships in 2017.

 

Rajae Akermach (MAR)

 

Made history in 2017 when she became the first African woman to earn a world No. 1 ranking in the sport, becoming a threat in the women’s over 58 kg K44.