Maria Clara Pacheco is champion of the 3rd stage of the Grand Prix, in Paris

World taekwondo champion, Brazilian Maria Clara Pacheco won this Saturday (10) the third stage of the Grand Prix Series 2026, in Paris. Number 1 in the world, the athlete from São Paulo defeated Jordanian Fadia Khirfan (3rd in the rankings) in the final of the up to 57 kilos category by 2 rounds to 0 (2 to 0 (14-3 and 16-5). Maria Clara had already won the previous stages of the Grand Prix: she was champion in June, in Rome (Italy) and three months later in Muju (South Korea).

To reach the gold decision, the Brazilian lined up victories. She debuted with a victory in the round of 16 against Kanelya Carabin by 2 rounds to 0. She then repeated the score against the Olympic runner-up in Paris 2024, the Iranian Nahid Kiyanichandeh. In the semi-final, Maria Clara had no difficulty defeating Kazakh Mariya Sevostyanova (KAZ), again with a score of 2 rounds to 0.

In the final fight for the gold medal against Fadia Khirfan, the Brazilian came out ahead in the first round, after the Jordanian received two punishments at the beginning of the fight. Later, the Brazilian increased the advantage after hitting a blow to the head, winning 5-2.

In the next round, Maria Clara took off with a 6-0 lead. The Jordanian made a reaction with just a few seconds to go, but the Brazilian remained in control and won 6-4.

In February of this year, the athlete underwent hip surgery. Four months later, he returned to competition at the Rome Grand Prix, where he won the gold medal. In September, Maria Clara also reached the top of the podium at the South American Games in Santa-Fé (Argentina) and at the Brazilian Open, in Londrina (PR).