César Morales Buján

Two gold medals and three bronze allowed Cuba to place second among 133 countries competing in the Taekwondo World Championship, held in, Puebla, Mexico.

With a team of only eight athletes, Cuba turned in its best performance ever.

The only gold medal previously won by the country was captured by Gessler Viera in Beijing 2007.

Taking top honors were Glenhis Hernández Horta, in the 73kg (f), and Rafael Alba Castillo in the 87 kg (m).

Two other Cuban women, Yania Aguirre and Yamisel Núnez in the 49 and 53kg, respectively, and Rosbelis Despaigne, 87kg (m), won bronze medals.

South Korea with a medal count of 6-3-1, led the championship, with Mexico coming in third, 1-3-1.

On the final day of competition, Cuba’s Nydia Muñoz (62 kg) defeated Vyctoria Belanoskaya from Belarus, but was subsequently bested by Swede Edan Johansson, to place ninth in the world ranking. This division was ultimately won by Australian Carmen Marton.