Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a landmark achievement for Egyptian sport, Olympic champion Seif Eissa has captured the gold medal at the World Taekwondo Championships held in Wuxi, China, marking Egypt’s first world title in the discipline since 1997. The tournament, which runs from October 24 to 30, witnessed Eissa’s dominant performance as he defeated Italy’s Simone Alessio in a tense final that ended 2–1.
Eissa, who has become a symbol of consistency and determination in Egyptian taekwondo, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure throughout the competition. His road to the gold medal was anything but easy. He opened his campaign with a commanding 2–0 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s Medrick Emmanuel in the round of 32, followed by another 2–0 win against Turkey’s Orkun Ateşli in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, Eissa overcame Uzbekistan’s Sukhrat Saliev 2–1, before securing his place in the final by defeating Poland’s Szymon Piątkowski 2–0 in the semifinals.
His final bout against Alessio himself a world-class competitor showcased Eissa’s strategic brilliance and ability to adapt under pressure. With precise timing, tactical discipline, and unyielding focus, he clinched a victory that not only brought him personal glory but also reignited Egypt’s legacy in the sport on the world stage.
The Egyptian delegation to the World Championships was headed by engineer Mohamed Agiza, a member of the Egyptian Taekwondo Federation’s board and chairman of its technical committee. The national squad featured ten athletes representing various weight categories: Moataz Assem (under 54 kg), Mohamed Osama (under 58 kg), Ahmed Hesham (under 63 kg), Rami Eissa (under 74 kg), Ahmed Rawy (under 80 kg), Seif Eissa (under 87 kg), Abdallah Essam (over 87 kg), Jana Khattab (under 53 kg), Aya Shehata (under 67 kg), and Malak Sami (under 73 kg).
Supporting the athletes was an experienced technical and medical staff led by Spanish head coach Rosendo Alonso, assistant coach Osama Sayed, Turkish trainer Gulsha Tapia, and physiotherapist Dr. Kadri El-Marr. Together, they played a pivotal role in preparing the team for one of the most competitive events on the global taekwondo calendar.
Seif Eissa’s triumph in Wuxi not only adds another golden chapter to his illustrious career which includes an Olympic bronze medal from Tokyo 2020 but also serves as a source of inspiration for the next generation of Egyptian martial artists. His victory stands as a testament to perseverance, preparation, and the growing international presence of Egyptian taekwondo.
As celebrations continue back home, Eissa’s historic gold shines brightly as a reminder of Egypt’s potential to compete and triumph at the very highest levels of world sport.
