Spain's 27th seed Milán Cánovas pulls massive upset

ROME — Spain’s Juan Antonio Milán Cánovas, entering as a 27th seed, pulled off a massive upset to win gold Friday on the opening day of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Foro Italico. Milán Cánovas captured the men's under 80 kilogram title, while top seeds Maria Clara Pacheco of Brazil and Viviana Márton of Hungary won the women's under 57 and under 67 kilogram divisions in high-profile rematches of previous major championship finals. Milán Cánovas stunned reigning world champion and 2025 Male Athlete of the Year Henrique Marques Rodrigues Fernandes of Brazil in the under-80 kilogram final, sweeping the bout 15-4 and 22-5. To reach the final, the Spaniard orchestrated a dramatic semifinal comeback against CJ Nickolas of the United States. After losing the opening round 18-1, Milán Cánovas rallied to win the next two rounds 9-7 and 11-9. Rodrigues Fernandes advanced to the title match by defeating reigning European champion Stefan Takov of Serbia in three rounds after dropping the first round. In the women's under 57 kilogram division, Pacheco routed No. 2 seed Kim Yu-jiWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times