Yvette Yong Leads Canadian Charge at World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Taiwan
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TAOYUAN, Taiwan—Yvette Yong won her first two matches in the women’s 49kg weight class to lead a team of seven Canadian taekwondo athletes at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Taoyuan, Taiwan this week.
Toronto’s Yong advanced to the quarter-final round with victories over Japan’s Kiyoko Nagano and Bouma Ferimata Coulibaly of the Ivory Coast. A three-time medallist at international events in 2018, Yong’s day came to an end after losing to Croatia’s Kristina Tomic in the round of eight.
Taekwondo Canada sent four men and two other women into battle in four different weight classes in Taoyuan.
Canada had a pair of men in opening draw for the 80+ kg class. Quebec City’s Marc Andre Bergeron lost a nail biter to China’s Sun Hongi Chin.
Toronto’s Jordan Stewart’s hopes of advancing to the round of 16 came to a halt after facing a tough opponent in Korea’s Lee Seung Hwan.
Two Canadians were also suited up in the 68+ weight division. Toronto’s Siddhartha Batt was not able to take down Iran’s Abolfazl Yaghoubijouybari, and Hervan Nkogho-Mengue (Quebec City) had his hands full with Christian McNeish.
Toronto’s Ruxandra Rodgers and Winnipeg’s Skylar Park both squared off against strong international opponents in the women’s 57+ kg category.
Both women were forced to join their Canadian mates on the sidelines after opening round losses. Rodgers lost to Croatia’s Nikita Glasnovic, while China’s Zongshi Luo topped Park.
World Taekwondo Grand Prix Taoyan Complete Results
The Canadian squad was coached by Jae Park, Young Su Choung and Alain Bernier in Taoyuan.
Canada was also represented by four international referees including: Martin Desjardins (Montreal); Eric Wah (Edmonton); Straso Trantalovski (Toronto/Macedonia); and Muftah Zorgani (Montreal/Libya).
Taekwondo Canada is the National Sport Governing Body for Taekwondo in Canada. We are recognized by World Taekwondo, Pan American Taekwondo Union, Sport Canada, Own the Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Taekwondo Canada sends national teams to the Olympic Games, World Taekwondo Championships, Pan Am Taekwondo Championships, Pan Am Games, World Taekwondo Junior Championships, Poomsae World Championships, Pan Am Poomsae Championships, and is also targeting the 2020 Paralympic Games.
