Georgian Aspires to Inspire

Hero’s Welcome Greets

Mexico’s Double Winner

At just 13 years of age, Georgia’s Nika Gogoberidze is already a role model for many in his country.

Competing at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Sofia, he made history by winning silver in the M-61kg. That was the first medal Georgia has ever won at a World Taekwondo event.

This is a remarkable achievement and one which Nika hopes will inspire others.

“I’m very proud of myself - and of course my coaches, teammates and all the country are proud of me,” he said. “It gives me more motivation to win big competitions.”

But it is not just about himself. “I hope it will inspire Georgia’s next generation, and you will see more Georgian medalists,” Gogoberidze said.

He worked incredibly hard to achieve what he has.

“It feels amazing because I sacrificed everything training and preparing for this competition,” Gogoberidze said. “I trained twice a day for two hours every day. Sometimes it was very difficult to do school and train, but now I can say it paid off.”

And this is just the beginning.

“This is not over, you will see me in the European Championships,” he vowed. “My goal is to become Olympic champion!”

Guillermo Manuel Cortez Labastida returned home to Mexico following the Sofia 2022 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships with two titles. Not only had he secured gold in the M-41kg, he had also been named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player in the men’s division.

His achievements have been the cause for much celebration back home.

“Everyone is very happy, they have given me several celebrations,” Cortez Labastida said. “Some in Mexico City and others in Guadalajara, the last one was in our school, Car Jalisco, I feel very happy and grateful to God for this achievement.”

It was all unexpected.

“I never imagined it! it was a great surprise, the prize for the best athlete in a sporting event is something that I saw in other sports and since was a child dreamed of being the best in the world,” he said. “Now I feel so happy to win this MVP. can't believe it.”

National pride is something which drives him and is something he cites as being a key driver in his love of competing internationally.

“This has been the best and greatest experience in my life, listening to the national anthem of my country is something always dreamed of and finally achieved it,” Cortez Labastida said. “None of this would be possible without the support of my family and my brother who is my great idol - Damián Cortes the ‘Kid Azteca.’”

Taekwondo is a big part of Manuel’s family, who have a shared passion for the sport. But beyond his family, he also won many global fans with his energetic style of Taekwondo.

“That has always been my style - a 100 percent combative style!” he said. “I have always fought that way - strong and hard.”

His style is about spirit as much as physique.

“If my opponents are stronger and more difficult, the harder try to fight,” he said.

This fighting spirit is going to be essential to achieve his goals, which are clearly listed in his mind.

“Win the next World Championship, the Pan-American Championship and be an Olympic medallst in the Youth Olympic Games,” Cortez Labastida said.