Henrique Marques Makes History as First Brazilian Man to Win Gold at 2025 World Taekwondo Championships

Henrique Marques, a 21-year-old taekwondo athlete from Brazil, achieved a historic milestone by winning the country’s first-ever men's gold medal at the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China. Competing in the under-80 kg category, Marques defeated the Chinese local favorite Qizhang Xiang 2-0 in the final, marking a significant victory on home soil for his opponent.

Starting the tournament ranked 14th globally, Marques displayed remarkable prowess throughout the competition, overcoming top-tier opponents including Cuba’s Kelvin Calderón Martinez, Russia’s Artem Mytarev—competing as a neutral athlete due to Russia’s suspension—and the USA’s CJ Nickolas, the reigning vice-world champion, whom Marques beat in the quarterfinals. This victory propelled him to 7th place in the world rankings.

Marques’s triumph is especially poignant given his personal hardships over the past two years, including the death of his father Ari Fernandes and a serious health scare involving heart arrhythmia that necessitated surgery. His journey began in a social project in Porto de Caixas, Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro, highlighting his rise from challenging circumstances.

On the same day, Brazilian athletes Júlia Nazário and Raiany Fidelis won their initial matches but were eliminated in the second round. Meanwhile, on the prior Friday, Maria Clara Pacheco made history by winning gold in the women’s 57 kg category, joining Natália Falavigna as Brazil’s world taekwondo champions. Brazil still has two contenders for medals: João Victor Souza Diniz and Milena Titoneli, the latter a bronze medalist from 2019.

Marques’s performance in 2025 also included bronze medals at the Grand Prix in Muju, South Korea, and the Copa do Presidente da América, making this an outstanding year for the young athlete. His achievements not only serve as a landmark for Brazilian taekwondo but also inspire the next generation of athletes in the country.

Moving forward, Marques aims to build on this momentum as he prepares for future international competitions, including the Paris Olympics where he previously reached the quarter-finals.