Belgian Taekwondo Prodigy Clinches Second World Title in China

A second world title for Sarah Chaâri, after the one she won in 2022 in the under 62 kg category. Exempted from the first round as the world No. 1 in the under 73 kg category, she beat the Egyptian Malak Samy El-Hosseiny (2-0, 8-0) and the Polish Julia Nowak (5-2, 5-3) on Sunday to qualify for the quarter-finals. She then defeated the French Althéa Laurin, Olympic champion in the over 67 kg category (the highest division of the Games) (4-3, 8-9, 6-3). In the semi-final, she beat the Chinese Zhou Zeqi (0-0, 7-6). The 20-year-old Belgian of Moroccan origin overwhelmed the 17-year-old Ivorian Kimi Laurène Ossin in the final, two rounds to one (3-2, 8-12, 5-3) and was crowned world champion in Taekwondo.

"I am very happy and proud to have achieved my goal, especially after all the work done," said Sarah in an interview with RTBF. She added: "The first title was really exceptional, because I was just starting out in the senior category. It is thanks to this victory that I am where I am today. This second title confirms the first one. I hope to continue on this momentum and go as far as possible."

In 2023, the Carolorégienne won a gold medal at the European Games (in the under 62 kg category). She repeated this feat the following year at the European Championships (in the under 67 kg category).

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