First gold goes to Denmark as Sandersen triumphs in taekwondo

ESSEN – Eva Eun-kyung Sandersen (DEN) wrote her name into FISU Games history by claiming the first gold medal of Rhine-Ruhr 2025 in a drama-filled afternoon of taekwondo at Messe Essen on Thursday.

The Dane arrived in Germany as a five-time world championships medallist in the poomsae category but said she had felt under pressure to add to her glittering medal collection in a tense final against Jung Haeun of Republic of Korea, who took the silver.

“We have trained so much and Taekwondo is my whole life,” the 24-year-old told the FISU Games News Service. “I feel it’s everything I want and it’s everything I think about and do. It’s so meaningful to me.

“I feel so overwhelmed, so relieved. And I feel really happy and really proud of my trainer and our work. I really am happy that I can tell my trainers that I won and to feel that I have made them proud.”

Sandersen was grateful for the loud support from the stands of her teammates in the Denmark team.

“We show up for each other and we’re there for each other,” she said. “And even if we don’t do the same sport or if we do the same, everyone is supporting each other. It feels great to be a part of the team also, especially because our categories are individuals.

“A lot of the work I do is just alone. It’s myself, me and my trainers. So it’s great to have that extra support when here at the University Games, where all kinds of different sports come together.”

With time still on her side, Sandersen said she hoped her discipline could still find a way onto the Olympic Games programme before she completes her already distinguished career.

“I really want Poomsae to become part of the Olympic disciplines,” she said. “I think that if Poomsae got to become an Olympic sport, I would be able to bring a medal home to Denmark.”

For now, at least, Sandersen can bask in the glory of adding yet another medal to her impressive collection.

More medals will follow throughout the day at Messe Essen Halle 6. Stay up-to-date at www.rhineruhr2025.com.

FGNS ph