Master Simon Negus secured a historic silver medal on Day Three of the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon, helping Great Britain record its most successful World Championships medal haul in history.
Simon showed exceptional composure, precision and consistency throughout a demanding day of competition, progressing through four rounds before ultimately finishing runner-up to Korea’s Min Sang Kim.
His achievement adds to Ali Pourtaheri’s historic World Championship gold earlier in the competition, making this the most successful World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Great Britain’s history, with two days of competition still remaining.
Simon opened his campaign against Germany’s Christian Senft and immediately showed the quality that would carry him deep into the competition. Performing Hansu first, Simon outscored his opponent 8.800 to 8.660, before producing another impeccable performance in Keumgang to win 8.800 to 8.440 and progress to the Round of 16.
There, Simon faced Australia’s Dennis Park and continued his impressive run. He took Shipjin 8.800 to 8.580, before following it up with an 8.740 to 8.580 victory in Pyongwon to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Portugal’s Pedro Tomas stood between Simon and the semi-finals, but once again the British athlete delivered under pressure. winning Jitae 8.940 to 8.660, before securing another convincing victory in Pyongwon, where he outscored his opponent 8.960 to 8.560.
With that, a place in the World Championship semi-final was secured, meaning Simon would earn at least a bronze medal.
Simon then faced the Philippines’ June Ninobla in a close contest, with a place in the final on the line. Simon edged Keumgang 8.800 to 8.720, before narrowly losing Shipjin 8.940 to 8.900, but edged the average scores tosecure his passage through to the final and guarantee at least a silver.
Facing Korea’s Min Sang Kim in the final meant taking on the home favourite, but Simon could be immensely proud of his performance on the biggest stage.
He performed Keumgang first, with Kim taking the round 9.020 to 8.800, before the Korean athlete again edged the second round in Jitae 9.080 to 8.860.
Simon finished with World Championship silver, completing an extraordinary run through the U60 Individual Male division and etching his name into British Taekwondo history.
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Simon’s achievement comes just one day after Ali Pourtaheri became the first British athlete in 15 years to win World Poomsae gold, creating an extraordinary medal haul for the British team in Chuncheon.
With Simon’s silver added to Ali’s gold, Great Britain has now produced its best-ever result at a World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, with two days of competition still to come.
It is a remarkable achievement for a team of 34 British athletes representing 19 clubs, who have travelled to Korea to compete against the very best Poomsae athletes from around the world.
There were also several other impressive performances from the British team throughout the day.
Eddie Sobiecki of Total Taekwondo faced Singapore’s Dayrius Ding Heng Low in the Round of 16 of the U14 Individual Male division. It was a strong performance from the young star, but he narrowly missed out in both rounds, losing Taeguk 8.760 to 8.680, before being defeated 8.720 to 8.500 in Koryo.
In the U17 Individual Male division, Louis Sexton faced Iran’s Behdad Nagihee, despite a committed performance against a talented opponent, Louis lost Keumgang 8.920 to 8.340, before being edged 9.000 to 8.560 in Taebaek.
Jenny Furness entered the competition at the quarter-final stage of the O65 Individual Female division and faced Austria’s Leni Niedermayr. The PremierKi athlete produced a determined performance, but was defeated 8.880 to 8.080 in Koryo and 8.840 to 8.260 in Hansu.
In the U50 Pair division, Wenqi Li and Alasdair Cox faced a German pairing in their opening contest. The British duo were beaten 9.080 to 8.780 in Chonkwon, before Germany secured the win with a 8.880 to 8.660 success in Keumgang.
The U14 Female Team of Alexandra Stefaniak, Fearne Corkish and Brooke Kirlew also took to the mats, and faced Korea in the Round of 16. The home favourites proved exactly why they are one of the best teams in the World as they produced a strong performance to take Keumgang 8.680 to 8.020, followed by Koryo 8.860 to 8.400.
Although their competition came to an end, the trio can be proud of their performance on the world stage.
Every athlete who represented Great Britain on Day Three can be immensely proud of their efforts, competing with skill, determination and pride at the biggest event in the Poomsae calendar.
There may still be two days of competition remaining in Chuncheon, but Great Britain has already made history.
Congratulations to Master Simon Negus on an outstanding World Championship silver medal and to everyone who has contributed to this historic campaign.
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