Taekwondo, historic world medal for Italy: bronze to Valentina Arlotti

Italy writes a new page of history in freestyle taekwondo. Valentina Arlotti won the bronze medal in the Over 17 women's individual at the Poomsae World Championships, underway at the Air Dome of Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon, South Korea. For Italian taekwondo it is the first medal ever won in an individual freestyle event at world championship level.

"Honestly, I'm in disbelief right now, I still have to realize it. Happy is an understatement" says the Italian born in 1995 from Rimini. "For this race I felt very excited and at the same time very responsible - she added -. I hoped so, but seeing my opponents, instead of getting discouraged, I relaxed and tried to give my best, remaining cheerful and understanding that this experience is something unique and should be lived to the fullest".

Italy is in Chuncheon with 21 athletes, ten in the recognized forms and eleven in the freestyle, with at least one Italian competing in each of the five days. The Korean edition is the most attended in history, with 1,411 athletes registered representing 83 nations and the Taekwondo Refugee Team.