Taekwondo World Beach Championship

December 15, 2019

The sport of Taekwondo in Egypt has maintained its impressive winning streak on all levels all over the world. Their latest remarkable and significant achievements came at the World Beach Championships held in the fabulous Red Sea resort La Piazza in Sahl Hashish, Hurghada, Egypt. The hosts clinched an overall 18 medals: one gold, six silver, and 11 bronze medals.

The four-day event, organized by the African Taekwondo Confederation in cooperation and collaboration with the Egyptian Taekwondo Federation as host, was held during the period from 11 to 13 October in the presence of the president of the World Taekwondo Federation Chungwon Choue, the president of the African Confederation Maj. Gen. Ahmed El Fouly, the vice president of the International Federation, president of the Egyptian Taekwondo Federation Amr Selim, several African taekwondo federation presidents, Dr. Mohamed Kordy as a representative of Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, the minster of youth and sport and board member of the Egyptian taekwondo federation, Dr. Hayat Khattab, president of Egypt Paralympic Committee and H.E. Yeocheol Yoon, Korean Ambassador in Egypt.

The historic gold medal was won by Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan Mokhtar in the ‘highest kick’ discipline, setting a world record of 2.65 meters, breaking the previous record of 2.40 meters set in the previous edition of the World Beach Championship, which was held last year in Rhodes.

The silver medals were won by: Salma Khaled in the girls U17; Ali Badr in the U17 boys; Abdallah Ghoneim, Ali Badr, and Ebaa Mohamed in the U17 team; the over 17 boys team; Rawan Gasser, Sondos Al-Qot, and Hend Mahmoud in the over 17 girls team; and the double over 30.

The bronze medals were achieved by: the U17 girls team of Shahd Shamardan, Tasneem Ahmed, and Salma Khaled; the U17 double of Abdallah Ghoneim and Shahd Ahmed; Sondos Al-Qot in the women’s singles U30; the U30 double of Rawan Gasser and Nour Al-Gendi; double above 17; U17 boys singles; freestyle double Ahmed Shady and Fayrouz Nawar; freestyle mixed team U17 Mohamed Wael, Fayrouz Nawar, Ahmed Abu Shady, Shahd Ossama, and Seif Magdi; U17 freestyle boys singles; freestyle break Mohamed Abu Leila; and the multiple break Ahmed Hassan Mokhtar.

Egypt team with Dr. Chungwon Choue president of World Taekwondo

The Egyptians had taken part in the World Championship with a huge delegation comprised of 23 male and female athletes, led by the team’s technical director Dr. Wessam El-Ghamry and head coach Ahmed Khedr.

President of the Egyptian Taekwondo Federation Amr Selim revealed that he was proud of the results accomplished by the Egyptian athletes at the World Beach Championships.

“Winning 18 different medals is a great result for Egypt since it is the first time for us to take part in the Beach Championships. Some teams have been recently formed especially for this competition, only weeks before the kick-off. So, with such limited time to train, our results are very good,” Selim said.

The president of the Egyptian Federation added that the Egyptian athletes managed to beat more experienced athletes in the sport, who have a successful record and long history, while the Egyptians are still new to this kind of competition.

On the other hand, El-Fouly, the president of the African Confederation, praised the superb organization of the World Championships in Hurghada. “Egypt has organized a spectacular and outstanding event thanks to the Egyptian sports officials of the Federation and the Ministry of Sports, who took care of all the details and made sure all delegations and officials have an enjoyable stay in Egypt. Actually, the Egyptians dazzled us as hosts, proving that Egypt is safe and secure and the perfect destination for sports events,” El Fouly said.

In honor of the attendance of the president of the World Taekwondo Federation Chungwon Choue and the distinguished guests, Egyptian Federation President Amr Selim and his board members held a gala dinner in the occasion of Egypt hosting the Championship, where participants had the chance to mingle together as family of the sport. The dinner witnessed an interesting and impressive presentation about the Egyptian Federation’s achievements during the past two years. The presentation was produced and exhibited by Rawabit Sports, the official media partner of the Egyptian Federation.

Awarding committee from left to right; Dr.Kordy of Minstery of Youth and Sport, Ge.Foli, Korean ambassador Yoon and Amr Selim

The World Championship saw the participation of 76 male and female athletes representing 14 nations, in addition to South Korea, which has taken part with team of 15 male and female athletes’ in the exhibition discipline.

Athletes stayed at Pyramisa Sahl Hashish hotel and enjoyed the great facilities of the hotel accompanied by a kind hospitality while VIPs guests stayed at Old Palace Resort Sahl Hashish.

The event’s organization committee was chaired by Mrs. Azza El Fouly, vice president of the Arab Federation and director of the International Licenses at the World Federation with Dr. Wessam El-Ghamry as the executive director of the event.