Medell upsets No. 1 at Oceania Open

Australia’s Steven Currie defended his title, while the USA’s Evan Medell upset the world No. 1 as the Oceania Para Taekwondo Open wrapped up on Sunday (14 May) in Auckland, New Zealand.

The No. 6 ranked Australian defeated Japan’s Kentaro Takahashi 8-6 in the men’s up to 75kg K42, and earned valuable world ranking points ahead of October’s World Championships in London, Great Britain.

Three other events were contested, and the men’s over 75kg K44 saw the biggest surprise.

Entering as ranked third in the world, Medell took down Croatia’s top-ranked Ivan Mikulic 24-19 points.

France captured two gold medals, with Bopha Kong (men’s up to 61kg K44) and Alain Akakpo (men’s up to 75kg K44) winning their respective events by wide margins.

Next up is the Asian Para Taekwondo Open on 1 July in Chuncheon, South Korea.