Medallists in Paris got to share a picture with IPC President Andrew Parsons, centre bottom ©World Taekwondo

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons attended the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix in Paris where he lavished praise on the development of the sport.

Para taekwondo is set to make its second appearance at the Paralympics after making its debut at Tokyo 2020.

Parsons said the sport made an "incredible debut" at the Games and expected it to reach greater heights at Paris 2024.

"The positive aspect is that the International Federation is not relying solely on their success in Tokyo," said Parsons.

"Competitions of the highest possible standard are taking place around the world.

"Their delivery of services to the athletes and the development programmes are also incredible.

"We are very impressed with the short period that we have been working with World Taekwondo."

The World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix was a one-day event featuring 111 athletes from 30 countries and one refugee team as well as Russian and Belarusian athletes competing as neutrals.

IPC President Andrew Parsons, right, took the chance to congratulate Afghan refugee athlete Zakia Khudadadi, left, following her success at the European Para Championships ©World Taekwondo
IPC President Andrew Parsons, right, took the chance to congratulate Afghan refugee athlete Zakia Khudadadi, left, following her success at the European Para Championships ©World Taekwondo

Parsons got the opportunity to meet Afghan refugee athlete Zakia Khudadadi who recently captured the European crown but was knocked out in the quarter-finals in Paris.

Khudadadi evacuated Afghan capital Kabul after the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021.

There were doubts over whether she would be able to compete at Tokyo 2020 after the Islamist group cancelled commercial flights.

But Khudadadi and long jumper Hossain Rasouli managed to reach France where they were able to rest and train before taking a flight to Tokyo in time for the Paralympics.

Mexico’s Claudia Romero won women’s K44 under-47kg gold, beating Uzbekistan’s Ziyodakhon Isakova in the final.

Turkey’s Ali Can Özcan claimed men’s K44 under-58kg gold, with Brazil’s Maria Eduarda Machado Stumpf crowned women’s K44 under-52kg,

Italy’s Antonino Bossolo secured the men’s K44 under-63kg crown, while Silvana Fernandes of Brazil sealed women’s K44 under-57kg gold.

Faith Celik delivered another gold for Turkey with victory in the men’s K44 under-70kg division.

Denmark’s Lisa Gjessing won the women’s K44 under-65kg, while South Korea’s Joo Jeong-hu captured the men’s K44 under-80kg.

There was also success for Britain’s Amy Truesdale, winning the women’s K44 over-65kg before Croatia’s Ivan Mikulic earned the men’s K44 over-80kg.