Ulugbek Rashitov claims victory as Champion of Rome Grand Prix

ROME - Ulugbek Rashidov, a taekwondo athlete hailing from Uzbekistan, emerged victorious in the highly anticipated -68 kg weight category of the Taekwondo WT Grand Prix. The tournament, which kicked off yesterday, June 9, in the vibrant capital of Italy, saw Rashidov clinching the gold medal, as reported by the Information Service of the Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan.

The opening day of the competition proved to be a triumph for the Uzbekistani national team. Rashidov effortlessly secured his spot in the finals, as his Croatian opponent, Marko Golubik, was unable to participate in the semi-finals. This stroke of fortune propelled Rashidov directly to the championship round.

In a thrilling face-off during the final match, Rashidov showcased his taekwondo prowess by overpowering Hungary's Levente Jozsa with a score of 2-0. This triumph marks an eight-year hiatus since taekwondo players from Uzbekistan last secured a gold medal at the Grand Prix, making this achievement all the more significant.

Adding to Uzbekistan's success, Nikita Rafalovich, another talented taekwondo athlete from the country, reached the finals of the Grand Prix. Unfortunately, Rafalovich faced stiff competition from Great Britain's representative, Caden Cunningham, who secured a 2-0 victory, granting him the gold medal. Nevertheless, Rafalovich's exceptional performance earned him a well-deserved silver medal at the Rome Grand Prix.

It is worth noting that Ulugbek Rashidov, aged 19, attained the title of gold medalist in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Prior to his recent victory in Rome, Rashidov had also claimed a bronze medal at the World Championship, held in the capital of Azerbaijan from May 29 to June 4. His achievements continue to solidify his position as one of Uzbekistan's most promising taekwondo athletes on the international stage.