Olympic Taekwondo Debuts to Taekwondo World Championships Triumphs - Australia's Journey
- mozhdehmartialarts
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 31
Australia's taekwondo narrative is a compelling tale of grit, glory, and groundbreaking achievements. From the electrifying moments in Olympic Taekwondo to the podium finishes at the Taekwondo World Championships, Aussie athletes have consistently showcased their spirit on the global stage.
Olympic Taekwondo: A Golden Kickstart
If you don’t remember - or weren’t around - the buzz of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Taekwondo wasn't just about the iconic Opera House or the Harbour Bridge. It was the year Olympic Taekwondo made its grand debut. Lauren Burns was the star. With a series of swift and strategic moves, she clinched Australia's first-ever Olympic Taekwondo gold, defeating Cuba’s Urbia Melendez Rodriguez in the under-49 kg category. Not to be outdone, Daniel Trenton also fought his way to a silver in the Olympic Taekwondo heavyweight (80kg+) division, firmly planting Australia on the Olympic Taekwondo map (1) (2).
Check out Lauren’s history making performance here:
Fast forward to the London 2012 Olympics, and the Aussie spirit was palpable. Safwan Khalil and Carmen Marton came agonisingly close to the podium. Khalil battled through to the semifinals but was halted by Spain's Joel Gonzalez Bonilla, the eventual gold medallist for the 2012 Olympic Taekwondo -58kg division. Marton, with fire in her eyes, faced Germany’s Helena Fromm in a nail-biting bronze medal match but fell just short (1).
The Tokyo 2020 Games saw a resilient Australian quartet, including the ever-dedicated Khalil, marking his third Olympic Taekwondo appearance—a first for an Australian male. Though the scoreboard wasn't in our Aussie Olympic Taekwondo team’s favor, their unwavering dedication was evident through the ups and downs of the time (3).
Taekwondo World Championships: Aussies Making Waves
Shifting our gaze to the Taekwondo World Championships, Australia has been a varying contender. Carmen Marton etched her name in history in 2013 by becoming Australia's first Taekwondo World Championships star, delivering a masterclass against South Korea’s Kim Huy Lan in the lightweight (-62kg) division. This victory wasn't just a medal; it was a statement to traditional taekwondo powerhouses, like South Korea and Turkey. Prior to this victory, Marton had previously won bronze in 2005 at the Taekwondo World Championships. Proving that with time and commitment, she could reach the top (4).
If you haven’t seen it, the glorious gold medal moment is here:
The momentum plateaued until 2023, when Leon Sejranovic earned the bronze medal in the -74kg category at the 2023 Taekwondo World Championships. The first medal at this event in ten years (5).
For Poomsae, the 2024 Taekwondo World Championships was a breakthrough, with the Aussie team shattering records in medal tallies and participation across divisions. Winning three silver and four bronze medals, we also had the most divisions on the podium in a single day, the most divisions podium at the Poomsae World Taekwondo Championships, and the highest number of team members to share medals at a single event. This wasn't just about numbers; it showcased the nation's depth across various age groups and disciplines (6).
Paris 2024 Olympic Taekwondo: A Last Chapter
Last July, the city of love and lights bore witness to Australia's Olympic Taekwondo trio—Bailey Lewis, Leon Sejranovic, and Stacey Hymer.
Bailey Lewis: With two Paris Grand Prix bronze medals under his belt, Bailey entered the arena with confidence. He showcased his prowess by defeating Niger's representative in the Round of 16. However, the quarter finals presented a formidable challenge against the world number one from Tunisia. Despite a valiant effort, Bailey bowed out with a 2-0 loss.
Leon Sejranovic: Fresh from his World Championship bronze, Leon's Olympic Taekwondo journey began with a challenging match in the Round of 16. Though he didn't advance, the experience added invaluable layers to his burgeoning career.
Stacey Hymer: Returning for her second Olympic Taekwondo stint, Stacey faced Brazil's seasoned fighter in the Round of 16. The initial round concluded at 5-0 against her, and the subsequent round, though fiercely contested, ended in a superiority decision favoring her opponent (7).
Looking Ahead: The Future of Australian Olympic Taekwondo and Taekwondo World Championships
While the Paris 2024 Olympic Taekwondo presented its set of challenges, the horizon gleams with promise for Australian taekwondo. The nation's commitment is unwavering, with rigorous training regimens, international collaborations, and a focus on nurturing emerging talent. The accolades from World Taekwondo Championships for governance and inclusivity initiatives further underscore Australia's dedication to the sport's holistic growth.
As the mats are rolled up and the arenas quiet down, one thing remains clear: Australia's Olympic Taekwondo and Taekwondo World Championships journey is far from over. With a blend of seasoned warriors and the rising stars at Mozhdeh Martial Arts, the future looks nothing short of exhilarating.
References
Australian Olympic Committee. (n.d.) Taekwondo. https://www.olympics.com.au/sports/taekwondo/
Sport Australia Hall of Fame. (2020). Lauren Burns. https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/lauren-burns/
Inside The Games. (2024).Three Australian Taekwondo athletes selected for Paris 2024. https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1145623/australia-taekwondo-three-athletes-paris
Wikipedia. (n.d.) Carmen Marton. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Marton
Olympics. (2024). Australia's Taekwondo Team for Paris 2024. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-olympics-australia-taekwondo-team
Australian Taekwondo. (2024). Record-Breaking Performance at World Poomsae. https://austkd.com.au/2024/12/slider/record-breaking-day-for-australian-taekwondo-at-the-2024-world-poomsae-championships/
Combat Aus. (2024). Paris 2024 Olympics. https://www.combataus.com.au/olympics/
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