Action begun today at the World Taekwondo President’s Cup for the Europe region in Athens ©World Taekwondo Europe

Moldova’s Serghei Uscov and Turkey’s Merve Dincel claimed the two senior gold medals on offer as action began today at the World Taekwondo President’s Cup for the Europe region in Athens.

Uscov beat Australia’s Safwan Khalil in the final of the men’s under 58 kilograms category, registering a 7-6 win at the Greek capital’s Ano Liosia Olympic Indoor Hall.

Croatia’s Leon Glasnovic and Russia’s Valeriy Shimanov completed the podium.

Dincel’s triumph, meanwhile, came in the women’s under 49kg division and was sealed with a 12-11 victory over Croatia’s Kristina Tomic.

Russia’s Natalia Antipenko and Japan’s Miyu Yamada were the bronze medallists.

Taekwondo fans turned out in their numbers on the opening day of competition ©World Taekwondo Europe
Taekwondo fans turned out in their numbers on the opening day of competition ©World Taekwondo Europe

The World Taekwondo President’s Cup for the Europe region is being held for the third time.

A record 2,500 athletes from 63 countries are scheduled to compete across the five days of action.

The event is a top G-ranking tournament.

It is organised by World Taekwondo Europe and supported by the South Greek Taekwondo Union.

Taking centre stage tomorrow are the men’s under 80kg and under 87kg categories, and the women’s under 57kg and under 67kg divisions.