Iran’s Nahid Kiyanichandeh scooped the women’s under 53 kg taekwondo gold with a solid performance at the Chengdu FISU World University Games on Thursday.
“I’m really very happy to be step by step on the way to the Olympic Games, I want the gold medal,” said the 25-year-old athlete after demonstrating her ability in terms of speed and precision.
Although she drew with Taipei’s Su Po-ya of China in the first round, she came through in the second round and scored a decisive 9-0 victory that gave her the victory.
Spain’s Alma Maria Perez and China’s Guo Qing took bronze.
The passion of all Taekwondo athletes can be felt in the atmosphere. For some of them it is a way of life, for others it is a family tradition. But everyone agrees on one thing: It’s more than just a sport.
Taekwondo really changed the life of bronze medalist Guo.
“When I was a little girl I just thought that taekwondo could take me out of the mountainous areas, I come from a very humble family,” she began.
“I’m trying to broaden my horizons and have a bright future, it’s not easy for me,” the 23-year-old athlete continued.
“It’s like a second chance for me or the other half of me. An opportunity to change my life. From the beginning I had no idea what Taekwondo was, but later I got to know and enjoy it better as a sport and then it became my profession. Now I think it’s an indispensable part of me.
“I have a big family, so my parents usually spend more time with my younger sisters and brothers. So the decision to practice taekwondo and stick with it is kind of a personal decision for me. As I got older, I asked my father to watch my competitions. So he knows more about my sport now,” said Guo with a big smile on his face.
“I’ve been in this sport for quite a long time, but it’s only in the last few years that I’ve made good progress. I always believe that practice makes perfect and that only those who work hard can win in the end.”
Guo faced gold medalist Kiyanichandeh in the semifinals.
“I’m satisfied, but still have some regrets. It’s hard to say because I think I could do better. So I think more work is needed.”
“But other than that I train a lot at home and to be honest I’m really happy I managed a wonderful spinning hook kick at the FISU games.”
Other taekwondo champions crowned on Thursday included China’s Zhou Zeqi (women -73 kg), Turkey’s Hakan Recber (men -63 kg) and China’s Meng Mingkuan (men -87 kg).
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