Paris 2024: Para taekwondo wide open for new nations to claim glory

Para taekwondo is one of the Paralympics' newest and most exciting sports. The discipline was introduced at Tokyo 2020 and was a roaring success among athletes and spectators alike.  

Twelve athletes per event will contest 10 different medals – five separate weight categories for each gender. This is four more disciplines than at Tokyo 2020.  

There was a wide spread of different medal-winning nations at the first Paralympics three years ago. Brazil topped the medal table with a gold, silver and bronze, but no nation managed more than a single gold. One each was registered by the Republic of Iran, Denmark, Mexico, Peru and Uzbekistan. In total 17 countries were represented on the podium.  

With no real dominant nation, expect a similar spread this time around. The action will take place in the refined surroundings of the Grand Palais, an historic site located on the Champs Elysees in the French capital, over three days – 29-31 August.  

Five stories to follow…  

Naimova seeks repeat victory  to end poor Paris form 

Aged just 20, Guljonoy Naimova pulled off a surprise gold medal win in the +58kg K44 gold medal at Tokyo 2020. Now she is the champion, everyone is aiming to beat her, but the Uzbekistan fighter is ready to defend her title.

“The gold medal of the Paralympic Games signifies, above all, my identity,” she said. “It not only improved my material life but also that of my entire family. I view this medal as the foundation for my future victories.”

She’s also motivated to break some poor Parisian form. “Throughout my career I have participated in numerous competitions in the capital of France, but I have never secured a gold medal there. That's why I am determined to put an end to this streak at the Paralympic Games.” 

Brazil aim to stay top of the pile  

Brazil were the predominant Para taekwondo nation at Tokyo 2020 – but only just. They travel to Paris with a squad packed with talent, including Nathan Torquato, who was their gold medallist last time around.

Elsewhere, there is plenty of room for improvement, too. Silvana Mayara Cardoso Fernandes, bronze medallist in Japan, is now a double world champion who won all four of her competitions in 2023 as she sealed her status as one of the favourites for women’s K44 -57kg gold. Read about her and further ones to watch here. 

Refugee Team’s Hassanzada on long journey to Paris  

Hadi Hassanzada’s story is remarkable - the one-armed athlete fled his war-torn country of Afghanistan and came close to death before finding asylum in Austria. Now he hopes to inspire others with his performances on the mat.

“I will do my best to stand on the podium,” he said. “Deficiencies can be turned into opportunities; you just need to recognise them and work hard to overcome them. Sport has allowed me to feel happy with myself and to enjoy those around me.” 

Truesdale desperate to make amends for Tokyo disappointment

Great Britain’s star Amy Truesdale won bronze at Tokyo 2020, which was not what the world no.1 was hoping for.

“Winning bronze in Tokyo was the hardest thing I’ve been through. It was very difficult and I was very disappointed,” Truesdale recalled. “I was No. 1 in the world, and I was world champion, and I got gold in the Tokyo test event. But on this day, it was the worst performance that I’d ever done.”

Now she believes she can get to the top step of the podium in Paris. “I am going into the Games in a very good position. My biggest goal is to become Paralympic champion.” 

Good things come to those who wait – can Quijano add Para crown to world title?  

Jessica Garcia Quijano has been around the top level of the sport for two decades without winning a major gold. That all changed last September, when she became Mexico’s first Para taekwondo world champion. It released the pressure from her. 

“After having participated in several World Championships, I was able to achieve it [gold] at the fourth attempt,” she said. “Everything comes in time and, with a different mentality, I achieved it.”

Now the biggest title of them all awaits. “I have had a dream since I was little, which is to attend the Paralympics,” she said. “Now (I want to) go for that goal.”