MUJU, Korea (Aug 30, 2025) - It was at the World Taekwondo Championships Baku 2023 where a then-17-year-old Banlung Tubtimdang announced himself on the global stage.

 

He became a crowd favourite en route to a silver medal, which came a year on from his silver medal at the World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Sofia. That was a remarkable achievement at his young age, but looking back more than two years on, Tubtimdang admitted that his defeat to Hakan Reçber of Türkiye in the Men’s -63kg final was a difficult moment to handle and one that inspired him to work even harder in pursuit of his career goals.

 

“After losing the gold medal that day, I was so sad, I cried for so many days,” he reflected.

 

“But after that I did my best. I trained hard every day. Trained harder, more concentrated and more focused.”

 

Since then, Tubtimdang has achieved a host of memorable victories, from the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023 to the recent Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

 

His biggest, though, came this week at the Muju Taekwondo won 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge.

 

Tubtimdang admitted he felt “more pressure” competing at Korea's premier Taekwondo destination, but he certainly did not show it in his performances as he stormed to Men’s -68kg gold without losing a round.

 

“This one [was my best result], because it is my first gold medal in World Taekwondo competitions,” he said.

 

“And also the Hangzhou Asian Games since it was my first gold in international competition. I couldn’t sleep for two days with the excitement!

 

“It was the same for the Rhine-Ruhr FISU World University Games this year, and last night as well I couldn’t sleep!”

 

It has been a remarkable rise for Tubtimdang since he started Taekwondo in school at the age of 12. Now aged 19, he is routinely winning medals at major competitions and motivated to achieve more.

 

“I think I am still young. So every time I have a chance, I try to win the matches and medals,” he said.

 

“Since I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to compete, I do my best every day.”

 

Thailand now has its first Olympic Taekwondo champion in Panipak Wongpattanakit, who is firmly positioned among the legends of the sport with her back-to-back triumphs at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

 

For Tubtimdang, following in her footsteps is something that drives him to success.

 

“She is my idol. I want to follow her path: she got two gold Olympic medals and still continued to train hard every day,” he said.

 

“Sometimes when we are training she gives me some advice, and I do the same with junior athletes.

 

“I tell them to focus on the opponent, and concentrate mainly.”

 

The Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge was Tubtimdang’s first step on the road to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. It earned him a coveted spot at the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series 2 in Paris.

 

Tubtimdang is taking the journey step-by-step, with the immediate focus being the Wuxi 2025 World Taekwondo Championships in October.

 

“It will be my first time at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix. I will do my best again as always,” he said.

 

“Regarding LA2028, I don’t focus on the objectives that are far.

 

“I try to focus on what is next, especially within the same year, so this year I’m mainly focused on the World Taekwondo Championships.

 

“And next year I will focus on what’s happening next year.”

 

 It is a grounded approach, and one that has served Tubtimdang well in his young career so far.