Croatian Petra Goleš becomes world taekwondo champion
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatian Petra Goleš becomes world taekwondo champion (Photo: Private album)
At the Deaf Taekwondo World Championship held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Croatia’s Petra Goleš secured the gold medal in the under 49-kilogram category to become world champion.
Representing the Split Taekwondo Club Marjan, she dazzled on the mat, achieving four impressive victories that led her to the top.
In her opening match, Petra outclassed her opponent from the homeland of taekwondo, the Korean representative Kim, who couldn’t match her exceptional technique.
(Photo: Private album)
In the quarterfinals, she defeated the local representative Daniarova, while in the semifinals, she overcame Uzbekistani Nuriddinova.
The final showdown in the under 49-kilogram category was intense, but Petra triumphed with a score of 2:1 in rounds against the Mexican Sanchez, clinching the world gold and adding it to her collection alongside the Olympic silver from Brazil.
(Photo: Private album)
(Photo: Private album)
“I’ve been preparing for this competition with my coach for months, and the entire club has been involved in my preparations, so without them, I wouldn’t have succeeded in winning gold at the Deaf Taekwondo World Championship. Therefore, I sincerely thank not only my coach Veljko Laura Šiša, who has been my greatest support, but also everyone who supported me on this journey.
(Photo: Private album)
Thanks to coaches Marko and Blaž for their help in the gym, Lovro and Toni Tomas for their support and advice, nutritionist Paola for helping me reach 49 kg, and physiotherapists Jasmin and Fahrudin for giving their all to ensure I was ready to step onto the mat despite the injury.
I especially want to thank my home club Marjan and all my friends, members of the Marjan Taekwondo Club, who supported me in every training session, as well as the Croatian Sports Association for the Deaf, of which I am a proud member. This gold is not just mine but also belongs to all those who stood by me, offering much support and love. That’s why this victory is even sweeter when I know the kind of people I have behind me and the effort that stands behind me.” – said Petra Goleš.
(Photo: Private album)
Apart from Petra, Croatia is represented at the World Championship by Matea Kolovrat, the current Olympic, world, and European champion in the under 67-kilogram category, who will compete on the final day of competition, March 30th.
(Photo: Private album)
(Photo: Private album)
Leading Petra and Matea at the World Championship is coach Veljko Laura Šiša, with the support of the deaf sports manager, Melani Turković.
(Photo: Private album)
This competition, held from March 25th to March 30th, 2024, has brought together 12 countries with 48 male and 41 female competitors, providing top-notch competition and an opportunity to showcase elite sporting abilities.
