The first day of competition at the 25^th European Taekwondo Championships closed with TURKEY dominating top positions on the podium, winning five out of tonight’s six finals.

Reigning European Champion in the OLY Men -63kg, and World No 6, Hakan Recber retained Gold in Manchester. After his win he said; “We have started well with medals and I hope it will continue. It starts with Gold and I hope it will continue with Gold”

There was a surprise in the OLY Women -49kg when hotly tipped World No 2 Cerezo (ESP) lost 3:1 to Dincel (TUR) in the semi-final. Dincel, World No 15, went on to win gold.

The Ukrainian Paralympic Team secured their first medal of the competition with Marchuk taking Silver for the second European Championship in succession. In her emotional post fight interview she said; “I’m very satisfied with my performance and happy to be here. I am so grateful to everyone who helped us get here. We’re proud to be fighting and standing for the honour of our country, but we cannot help worry for what we have left at home.”

The results of the finals:

Para Male K44-58kg

1^st – OZCAN (TUR)

2^nd – KONG (FRA)

3^rd – ZEYNALOV (AZE)

3^rd – YASUR (ISR)

Para Women K44 -47kg

1^st – EKINCI (TUR)

2^nd – MARCHUK (UKR)

3^rd – ROMERO (MEX)

3^rd – JAPARIDZE (GEO)

OLY Male -54kg

1^st – SALIM (HUN)

2^nd – POLAT (TUR)

3^rd – DAGDELEN (TUR)

3^rd – TESKERA (CRO)

OLY Women -49kg

1^st – DINCEL (TUR)

2^nd – SEMBERG (ISR)

3^rd – CEREZO IGLESIAS (ESP)

3^rd – DUVANCIC (CRO)

OLY Men -63kg

1^st – RECBER (TUR)

2^nd – ALAPHILIPPE (FRA)

3^rd – JORQUERA CALA (ESP)

3^rd – OZKAYA (GER)

OLY Women -53kg

1^st – AGRIS (TUR)

2^nd – PEREZ PARRADO (ESP)

3^rd – AYDIN (GER)

3^rd – DUVANCIC (CRO)

-ENDS-

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