Canada’s Michelle Lee Battles to Bronze Medal at World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships

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Taipei, Taiwan—Michelle Lee completed a bronze-medal hat trick for Canada’s taekwondo athletes competing in poomsae form over the weekend at the World Championships in Taipei, Taiwan.

The 16-year-old from Markham, Ont., battled to the final step of the podium in the women’s freestyle individual under 17 division on Sunday.

“I am relieved that I finished the competition on the podium,” said Lee. “Getting on the podium proves to me that I tried my best and did everything I could while representing my country.  With this goal (of winning a medal) in mind, I worked hard to get past others to achieve this.”

Lee shared the final step on the podium with Denmark’s Eva Sandersen.

Mexico’s Cecilia Lee was crowned world champion after taking top stop in the division. Hannah Noble will return to her home in the United States with the silver medal.

Lee’s triumph on Sunday is the third bronze medal for Canada at the premiere international poomsae event on the taekwondo calendar. The Canadian squad celebrated two bronze medal finishes Saturday. Jina Ha and Jinsu Ha teamed up to claim third place in the freestyle poomsae pair over 17 competition. Bhajan Mann also locked up a bronze in the men’s under-65 individual division.

Canada’s national team athletes also finished sixth on Sunday in the freestyle mixed team over 17 division to wrap up the weekend four-day event.

The Canadians suited up 44 athletes in a field of 1,600 who descended on Taipei, Taiwan from 59 different countries this week. The World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships also had 44 international referees participate.

Grandmaster Ricky Wu from Vancouver led the Canadian team with Master Seoungmin Rim, head coach, National Poomsae Team. Master Rim (Calgary) is one of six coaches and medical personnel with the Canadians in Taiwan. He was joined by Master Bhajan Mann (Toronto), Master Riseong Kang (Toronto), Master Hyun Seok Seo (Mississauga), Master Shelley Vettese-Baert (Edmonton) and medical professional, Marya Phan (Montreal).

Complete Results:

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.

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