Kurdish taekwondo athlete Yalda Muhammed won a silver medal at the World Taekwondo Hanmadang Championship in Seoul, South Korea, after finishing second in the Power Breaking category.
The event brought together nearly 6,000 athletes from more than 60 countries, making it one of the largest international taekwondo competitions. Yalda Muhammed entered the championship after an intensive training period and delivered a strong performance to secure the world runner-up position.
She celebrated the achievement while carrying the Kurdistan flag, describing the moment as a source of pride for herself and for people across the Kurdistan Region.
Yalda Muhammed competed as part of the Kurdistan Team, which coach Hemin Mehdi Qadir led. The delegation included eight male athletes and one female athlete from Erbil, Duhok, Kirkuk and the Soran administration.
Team members said competing under the Kurdistan name and flag gave them additional motivation throughout the championship.
After receiving her medal, Yalda Muhammed thanked her family, husband and coach for supporting her preparation and journey to South Korea. She said standing on the podium with the Kurdistan flag created an unforgettable feeling and made her feel the support of an entire nation.
Her silver medal drew widespread praise and highlighted the growing presence of Kurdish athletes in international competitions. Supporters also viewed the achievement as another example of the determination and success of Kurdish women in sport.
The result adds another international medal to the Kurdistan Team’s record and brings greater recognition to Kurdish taekwondo on the global stage.
Yalda Muhammed’s performance may also encourage younger athletes across the Region to pursue competitive sport and participate in major international events. The team hopes the result will strengthen interest in taekwondo and create more opportunities for Kurdish athletes to compete abroad.
Her achievement shows how sustained training and international participation can raise the profile of regional sport.
