Jang

Kicks COVID, Grabs Gold in Rome

At just 22 years of age, Korea’s Jun Jang has already got a medal collection any seasoned athlete would envy, and under the spotlight at the Roma 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Prix he added another gold to his impressive tally.

Jang competed at his first Grand Prix in 2017. By the end of 2019, he had won five GP gold medals, one silver and one bronze. But with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, like all athletes, he faced a long break without any bouts before competing at Tokyo 2020 and winning a bronze.

So, as COVID-19 appeared to be lifting, he entered 2022 full of confidence. But the pandemic is not quite over. One month ahead of the Roma 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Prix he caught COVID-19.

“The last month I got COVID so the recovery was very hard. It was difficult to train while was recovering,” Jung said. “It has been a long time since I participated, so to have competed and won gold - I am delighted!”

It was not just the break from COVID-19 which presented challenges, but also the introduction of the new “best of three rounds” format which was inaugurated at the Roma GP.

Regarding the new rules, ”I was very pleased with how I adapted,” Jang said. “If got to two rounds first, I was able to save my energy and didn’t have to fight in a third round which helped me later on.” Verdict? “I like the new format!” he said.

Looking ahead, Jung has very clear ambitions - “only gold medals,” he says with a smile.

“This year I already competed at the Turkish Open and the Fujairah Open so already have 40 ranking points. Now want to focus on the Grand Prix. I will go step by step.”

It’s a busy year: next is the Paris GP, then the Guadalajara World Championships. But the goal is 2024.

:I am focused on participating at the Olympic Games in Paris,” he said.” I want to qualify with a top ranking so need to win as many gold medals at the Grand Prix as I can.”

At Tokyo 2020, Jung won bronze - a fine achievement at his debut Games. However, he did not make it to the final after being stopped by Tunisia’s Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi.

In Rome, Jang faced his Tokyo nemesis - and beat him.

“When I faced [Jendoubi] in the Olympics it was the first time had competed against him,” Jung said. “I didn’t know his style. After the Olympics, I did a video analysis so that’s why here in Rome I was able to make other strategies.”

At Paris 2024 he hopes his increased experience and knowledge will pay off in the same way.

“In Paris will know the other athletes and their strategies better,” Jang said. “I didn’t know them in Tokyo. So now I know more, I hope to do better.”