Thrilling Showdowns Conclude EUSA Combat 2023 Taekwondo Championships
ZAGREB, July 23, 2023 - The final day of the taekwondo competition at EUSA Combat 2023 brought intense finals in both men's and women's categories. After an exhilarating series of matches, the moment of glory arrived as the athletes received their hard-earned medals.
PHOTO: Antonia Maričević / EUSA Combat 2023
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PHOTO: Antonia Maričević / EUSA Combat 2023
In the men's category, matches were contested in weight classes -58 kg, -80 kg, -87 kg, and over 87 kg. The bronze medals had already been claimed during the first two days of the competition.
PHOTO: Antonia Maričević / EUSA Combat 2023
The gold medalists included four Ukrainian representatives: Vladyslav Funkendorf (-58 kg) from Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University (UKR), Kyrylo Hurnov (-80 kg) from Shevchenko National University of Kiev (UKR) and Artem Harbar (-87 kg), and Andrii Harbar (+87 kg), both from Donbass State Engineering Academy (UKR).
PHOTO: Antonia Maričević / EUSA Combat 2023
Securing silver were Zack Sarsoza (-58 kg) from the University of Salford (UK), Yanis Tahraoui (-80 kg) from LBPS (FRA), along with host country representatives Josip Bilic Pavlinovic (-87 kg) from the University of Split (CRO), and Franjo Gucic (+87 kg) from the University of Zagreb (CRO).
PHOTO: Antonia Maričević / EUSA Combat 2023
Artem Harbar from Donbass State Engineering Academy (UKR) celebrated his victory with a gold medal in the over 87 kg category. "I'm thrilled with this victory. I prepared for this moment for almost a year, and I believe it was enough, but there's always room for improvement. Taekwondo runs in my family, and it was only natural for me to take it up. I often train with my brother and father," he said.
PHOTO: Antonia Maričević / EUSA Combat 2023
PHOTO: Antonia Maričević / EUSA Combat 2023
Text: Bogoljub Živanović / EUSA Combat 2023 media team