Global giants lead the way as Kenya continues medal hunt at U-21 Taekwondo Worlds

Four weight categories were decided on the day, with traditional powerhouses Turkey, Morocco, Iran and Spain sweeping most of the medals to underline their pedigree on the global youth stage. Their dominance further tightened the early race for overall championship honours.

Kenya’s youthful contingent once again stepped onto the international stage with grit and growing confidence, though a maiden medal remains elusive as the tournament heads into day three. Despite missing out on the podium, the home team’s performances reflected visible technical improvement and a fighting spirit that drew strong support from the local crowd.

Flying the flag for Kenya in the men’s divisions were David Mbugue (Welterweight) and Lesly Amwanzo (Bantamweight), while Wendy Trina (Featherweight) and Cecilia Wangare (Middleweight) carried the women’s challenge. All four delivered spirited displays, holding their own against highly seasoned opponents.

Coaches on site later praised the athletes’ composure and progression, noting that exposure to world-class opposition is a crucial step in Kenya’s long-term Taekwondo development plan. They emphasized that the lessons from this championship will shape stronger performances in future continental and global competitions.

On the medals table, Turkey emerged as the standout nation of the day with two gold medals. Iran followed closely with a gold and a bronze, while Spain maintained impressive consistency with two silver medals.

Africa also celebrated proud moments on home soil. Morocco claimed gold in the women’s 57kg category, marking one of the continent’s strongest showings so far, while Egypt added a bronze in the women’s under-73kg division.

As the championship reaches its midway point, the atmosphere at Kasarani continues to intensify. Day two not only showcased the remarkable depth of global youth Taekwondo but also reinforced Africa’s growing influence on the sport’s future. With Turkey and Iran currently setting the pace, the battle for overall supremacy promises even more drama in the days ahead.

Below is a detailed breakdown of day two medallists by gender and weight category.