Moroccan taekwondo athlete Haytham Zghouti has added a new achievement to Morocco's taekwondo record, winning the bronze medal in the G-6 category of the Grand Prix in Paris. The 21-year-old, ranked 15th in the world, competed in the under 80kg weight category, one of the strongest and most competitive categories globally. Zghouti secured three consecutive victories against top opponents before being defeated by Uzbekistan's Jasurbek Jaysonov, ranked sixth in the world.
Zghouti's journey began with a challenging match against Egyptian champion Ahmed Rawi, ranked in the under 87kg weight category. He managed to overcome Rawi with a narrow victory, winning two rounds to one. This match showcased Zghouti's high fighting spirit and determination. His next opponent was Belarusian Artem Turavenko, ranked third in the world and a gold medalist in the Moogu round.
Zghouti caused an upset in the round of 16 by defeating Turavenko with the same score as his previous match. This victory confirmed that Zghouti was not in Paris just to participate. In the quarterfinals, Zghouti delivered his best performance, defeating Russian Artem Miterave, ranked ninth in the world and a bronze medalist in the 2025 World Championships.
Zghouti's victory over Miterave earned him his first medal in the Grand Prix series and secured his place in the history of the competition. With this bronze medal, Zghouti joined a group of Moroccan champions who have previously won medals in the Grand Prix, including Ashraf Mahboubi, Nanda Laraj, and Amina Dahawi.
This achievement brings Morocco's total medal count in the Grand Prix to six, consisting of one silver and five bronze medals. The Moroccan taekwondo team continues to demonstrate its strength and presence among the world's top competitors. Zghouti's success is a testament to the country's taekwondo program and its ability to produce talented athletes.
Zghouti's performance in Paris has generated excitement and anticipation for his future competitions, particularly with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in sight. His bronze medal win serves as a milestone in his career and provides motivation for him to continue improving and striving for excellence.
The Moroccan taekwondo team is optimistic about its prospects in upcoming international competitions, with Zghouti's achievement serving as a catalyst for further success. The team's dedication and hard work have paid off, and they look forward to building on this momentum in the years to come.
Key points
- Haytham Zghouti wins bronze medal in Paris Grand Prix
- Moroccan taekwondo team achieves six medals in Grand Prix series
- Zghouti's success paves way for future Olympic competitions
