FIGHT TIME!!!   World Universiade Games today for Male U/54kg Bailey Lewis (City West Tkd) 

So far so good….we’re off to a bright start as Bailey Lewis wins his first fight over Hong Kong 15:3 to successfully advance to quarterfinals where he meets country Azerbaijan. Will be an awesome contest!    Unfortunately our other Aussies fighting today, Catherine Risbey and Tom Afoncenzsko were eliminated in their first rounds despite major efforts and strong coaching. So for now, let’s all get behind Australian Taekwondo champion, Bailey Lewis and coach Alex Sootho as we work towards our first podium appearance in Taipei.

FEEL THE ENERGY….Lewis just beat World # 10, Azerbaijani Gashim of MAGOMEDOV in quarter finals round. WELL DONE Boys! Sweet revenge for Dutch Open loss earlier this year when AZB narrowly beat Bailey to go to the Gold medal round.  Today’s results end R1 Bailey down 4:6; end R2 Bailey down 5:6; end R3 Bailey equalised 9:9 forcing R4 showdown. Starting strong AUS forced a warning to AZB (gam-jeom) followed by a quick body shot for a 12:10 victory to qualify for Semi Finals.    

NEXT task we face IRAN World #3, Hadipour SEIGHALANI. Earlier today IRAN won his round of 16 versus TAIPEI 7:2 and Quarters verses RUSSIA 20:3.
His credentials include this year winning Silver at Senior Worlds and Gold at European Presidents Cup. Also last year winning Golds at Asian Championships, Greece and Egypt Opens. Impressive to say the least.

Meanwhile on the flip side of the draw, THAILAND lost quarter finals to KOREA; ARGENTINA lost quarter finals to MEXICO….seeing KOREA play off against MEXICO in the other Semi.   Epic contests coming up!!!

Final outcome is a BEAUTIFUL BRONZE MEDAL won today in Taekwondo for Aussie Uniroos at Universiade Championships. Unfortunately Iran was to strong for our Bailey TODAY!  Showing his class as world ranked number 3 fighter, control the centre of the win and taking a comfortable Victory to move for into the final and later Win the Gold over Korea.

Overall though Big CONGRATULATIONS must go to both City West Taekwondo fighter Bailey Lewis (Victoria University) and coach for the day Alex Sootho(Team Musa). Third place podium finish plus a wonderful opportunity to fight top ranked international players from HNG, AZB and IRAN. Thanks for the opportunity Australian Uniroos, Victoria University and Australian Taekwondo. International sporting competition does not come much sweeter than these Olympic-like games….what dreams are made of! WELL DONE Bay.  Now hoping Australia will continue the medal rush over next few days of competition. Meanwhile let’s keep the support coming for our Aussie Uniroos fighting tomorrow – Keshena Waterford U/49kg, Lorna Munro U/67kg and Will Afon U/58kg