2025 Taekwondo World Championships Kick Off: Results of Day One in Wuxi

On October 24, the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships officially began in Wuxi, China, featuring elite male and female athletes. On the opening day, medals were awarded in two weight divisions — women’s up to 57 kg and men’s over 87 kg.

The stars of the day were South Korea’s Kang San-Hyeon and Brazil’s Maria Clara Pacheco, who both captured gold medals.

Results of Day One – 2025 World Taekwondo Championships
Men, +87 kg

South Korean fighter Kang San-Hyeon reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s best by defeating Russian Rafail Ayukaev in a tense final. This is Kang’s second world title — his first came in 2023 in Baku, but in the under-87 kg division.

The path to the final was full of surprises. Paris 2024 Olympic champion Arian Salimi (Iran) was shockingly eliminated in the Round of 16 by Ukrainian Andrii Harbar. However, Harbar later lost to Ayukaev and failed to reach the podium. Mexican Carlos Sansores was also defeated by Kazakhstan’s Beibars Kablan.

In the semifinals, Ayukaev beat Britain’s Cayden Cunningham (4:2, 9:4), while Kang San-Hyeon dominated American Jonathan Healy (6:0, 9:0).
The final was thrilling — Ayukaev took the first round 7–5, but Kang rallied to win the next two (8–7 and 6–2), becoming a two-time world champion.

Medalists (+87 kg, Men)

1. Kang San-Hyeon (South Korea)
2. Rafail Ayukaev (Russia)
3. Jonathan Healy (USA) & Cayden Cunningham (Great Britain)

Women, up to 57 kg

In the women’s division, Brazil’s Maria Clara Pacheco captured the world title, confirming her consistency after an excellent season. In the final, she defeated South Korea’s Kim Yoo-jin. The bronze medals went to China’s Luo Zongshi and Jordan’s Fadia Khirfan.

Medalists (up to 57 kg, Women)

1. Maria Clara Pacheco (Brazil)
2. Kim Yoo-jin (South Korea)
3. Luo Zongshi (China) & Fadia Khirfan (Jordan)