Jang Jun takes bronze at World Taekwondo Grand Prix

Jang Jun, right, kicks Adrian Vicente of Spain in the men's flyweight semifinals of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy on Saturday. [WORLD TAEKWONDO]

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Jang Jun won another bronze at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Adrian Vicente in the men’s flyweight semifinals.

Jang, who reached the semifinals after beating countryman Bae Jun-seo — a gold medalist at the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships last month — 2-0 in the quarterfinals, could not ride that momentum against Vicente of Spain, despite having beaten Vicente four times in other events before.

Vicente utilized his skills effectively and dominated Jang, beating the 23-year-old 2-0 in the end.

“I think my opponent analyzed my style well and was well prepared,” Jang said after the semifinals. “My form wasn’t so bad, but the result is a little disappointing.”

Saturday’s bronze medal is Jang’s second bronze and 10th medal at the Grand Prix. He has earned seven golds, one silver and two bronzes so far in the competition.

Despite failing to secure his eighth gold, Jang was still satisfied with a victory over Bae in the quarterfinals, since he had previously lost to Bae in the national squad selection contest and failed to secure a spot at the 2023 World Championships.

“I was under pressure because I had lost to Bae in the previous clash,” Jang said. “I am happy that I won. I am also satisfied that I earned ranking points in this competition.

“I will complement the factors I need to improve and show a better performance in the next event.”

Jang’s objective is to improve his form to secure a spot in the national squad and competes in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he looks to win his second Olympic medal.

None of the Korean Taekwondo practitioners earned a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where Korea ended the event with one silver from Lee Da-bin and two bronzes from In Kyo-don and Jang.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]