European Taekwondo Championship Finals and Los Angeles Taekwondo Championship Finals Review

    /24-7PressRelease/ - LONDON, UK, August 30, 2008 - European Taekwondo Championship Finals review

The European Taekwondo competition went on with the impressive competition matches went on in Women's +62kg weight class and the Men's +80kg weight class.

Marius Vasile Nita of Romania won his first major championship title on Saturday by defeating Francesco Malino of Italia 4-3 in a thrilling final match of the Men's +80 weight class competition.

Marius attacked impressively in the first round. Francesco received one point for a pair of defensive kicks, while Marius scored from two offensive kicks, including a one-point axe kick. The first round finished with Marius leading 2-1.

In the second round, Francesco began to be more aggressive with he and Marius receiving one point each for offensive kicks.

With a narrow 3-2 lead, Marius became more defensive in the last round. Francesco' one-point offensive kick, but a offensive kick by Marius secured the first European gold medal.

David Bent of Great Britain won a bronze medal by overwhelming Tomaz Soroka of Slovenia with a 4-1 victory.

David was able to compete in the semifinal match instead of Spanish fighter Jose Garciano, whose victory over David in the quarterfinals was judged as invalid by the Competition Supervisory Board. Jose Garciano finished the semifinal match with the win 3-2 over David Bent. However, the final decision from the Supervisory Board ruled that David won the match 3-2.

The ruling left Jose, Span's biggest hope and two-time European Championship gold medalist, medal-less in the competition.

In the other bronze medal match, German fighter Michael Tuncan overpowered reigning 2005 European champion Dennis Vart of Netherlands by the knockout after leading 4-2.

In the Men's +80kg division, first-time attending Cuneyt Hanmind of Denmark won the gold by narrowly defeating Karul Persson of Poland 5-4 in a match that blood has been seen on Karul's face.

French fighter Patrick Epannie won a bronze medal after his opponent, Alexander Redinne of Russia, was disqualified for exceeding the one-minute injury time allowance. It was a disappointing day for the Russian when the match stopped at second round when he was still leading 4-3.

In Men's -67kg class, the world champion Illian Michadilidos of Greek claimed the gold medal after defeating Viktor Gormenko of Ukraine 3-2.

Zakio Manzados of Azerbaijan went on to claim a bronze medal by defeating Uzbekistani fighter Olgile Chirkun 4-3.
Olgile asked for reconsidering on points when he said he was supposed to earn points from his round kick in the last round. Video was reviewed but there was no any new decision.


Los Angeles Taekwondo Championship Finals Review

(Los Angeles, August 28) - The L.A. Taekwondo competition has finished its three days of the Men's competition with unexpected results.

Defending champion Carrigan Jonathan of Texas claimed his second gold medal on Friday by defeating host's fighter Jose Sariento 9-6 in the final of the Men's -80kg division.
Steven Goffes of Arizona lost to Jose in a quarterfinal match, which finished with a disputed point deduction. But Steven's 7-4 defeat of Oregonian Ryan Andres brought him a bronze.

The other bronze medal went to Chinese fighter Hun Dong of North Dakota, who defeated Ferrusca Aldo of Florida 8-5 in a bronze medal match.

In the Men's -72kg class competition, bronze medallist at 2007 Houston's tournament Kim Leyton of Arizona captured the first gold medal with the knockout victory over Pratt Aaron of Ohio while being led by 8-5.

Zach Jeffrey of Washington claimed the bronze after defeating Terry Bruce of Ohio 10-8 in the bronze medal match.

Wilcox Randy brought home the only gold for Florida this year by defeating fighter Tim Danny of Utah 8-6 in Men's -65kg final match.

The other bronze medal went to Mike Saric of Arizona, who overpowered New Jersey's Sam Raymond 6-3 in the other bronze medal match.

Michael Roshaan of Indiana successfully defended his 2007 champion title after defeating Lane Nicholas of Kansas with the narrow 5-4 victory.
Michael was injured at his ankle in the second round while leading 4-1. In the last round, the 25 year-old became more defensive while Lane attacked aggressively.

Lane's two-points offensive spinning back kick and one-point axe kick made it 4-4 which put him back to the race, but a defensive kick from Michael secured the Men's -60kg gold medal.

Austin Reed of Oregon took home the bronze medal by narrowly defeating Alex Anderson of Ohio 4-3 in the bronze medal match.

Fred Roger of Indiana claimed his first-time Men's 52kg class gold medal even he was knocked out in second round when Achilles Hoang of Oregon, a phenomenon of this year Los Angeles Taekwondo Championship, was judged as using invalid Taekwondo technique.

The Scandal From a Phenomenon

In the Men's -52kg class, the audients were taken from one surprise to another when Achilles, who first time attended, shined and defeated the last year champion Smith Barney in the first match with the knockout in the last round, after leading 7-2.

Achilles continued his astonishing performance to the final with 7 straight knockouts. Including the final attack he was the only one could finish the tournament with a shocking record, all straight knockout from the first match to final.

In final match, Fred attacked impressively from the begining, however, Achilles received two points for defensive kicks. Achilles added on four more points from a superior 7 kicks combo which sent Fred off the ring.

Fred earned one point for offensive spinning back kicks to finish the first round with Achilles leading 6-1.

In the second round, Fred began to be more aggressive when he started using his favorite treble kicks which earned him one point to keep his hope alive. Unexpectedly, Achilles ended the match with the knockout by using a mysterious technique. The technique which sent Fred Roger off the ring the second time, according to experts, is using elbows and it belongs to Kung Fu.

"I'm very disappointed. Achilles is our biggest hope for the gold medal, and for a moment I thought he would surely make it," said Sonny Dusich, Achilles's coach. "I still think the referees are too strictly about this," he continued.

Kung Fu vs. Taekwondo?

It was a disappointing result for Achilles when he was judged for using Kung fu skills to knockout Fred Roger. But is it possibly that he used Kung Fu skills from beginning to the end?

"I've watched many Taekwondo tournaments but I've never seen such brilliant 7 kicks combo, it's simply an unstoppable attack. I don't think there's any Taekwondo fighter ever attempted what he did," said Taekwondo expert Tony Holf. "That's an incredible art of martial arts. It may be a Kung Fu's skill."

Beside the stunning 7 kicks combo, the final attack also is a mystery. Achilles knocked out Fred by right arm's elbow while turning back on him within likely no range.

"I just have to shake my head. It's absolutely a Kung Fu superb skill. Look what it did to Fred, it's unbelievable," said Tony. "To be able to do that, he must be truly gifted." he continued.

So much for concerns but the phenomenon of the tournament seems to be happy with the rule.

"I didn't mean to do that, it was just an accident. I was thinking that I have to defeat him the fastest I can when he's open, so I moved in and used Kung Fu skills as I usually did," explained Achilles. "I lost and I'd like to say congratulation to him. Next time, I will fairly defeat him with Taekwondo's skills" he added.

Unable to take home the gold, Achilles, however, still takes all the good credits from all sides. "The victory belongs to Achilles. I am happy to earn this medal but outside the ring, we all know that the last man standing is the winner. I couldn't even see his final attack, all I know that I was blown off the ring by a powerful strike. I still don't know how he did that. He is the stronger and the best I've fought." the 24 year-old gold medallist said.

"Absolutely brilliant, still young yet too great, there's a big difference in level between Achilles and the rest. I've to be the first to admit, he's the real champion, not my student," said Colin Federick, Roger's coach. "Roger shouldn't be ashamed, he got knocked out but only because today he faced a great talent."

"I'd say the 7 kicks combo will be long remembered because I don't think we'll see it soon again, that technique is nearly impossible, yet Achilles did it. One thing about him inspires me is that I know he still can do more than that." Ken Musgave, a Taekwondo young talent scout, said. "He will shine in the near future and I'd think our national team should look for him." he added.

Women competition awaits Allison Merrill to shine

All eyes will be on the Indiana's defending champion Allison Merrill of Women -52kg class. Allison will set a record of 4 times in a row champion if she successfully defends the title.

Karen Alford of Minnesota, promising to capture the gold medal of Women's -58kg, unfortunately had to give up her dream due to the ankle injury during practice.

A knee injury also sends home another promising fighter, Kelly Sheridan of Texas, before she can give any contribution. Kelly is the last year silver medallist and she's expected to get more than that this year in the class of Women's -48kg competition.

The Women's -45kg class opening match with Sarah Collin against Cynthia Caple will officially start Women competition tomorrow.

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