Peruvian Angélica Espinoza, the best female Paralympic athlete by the Taekwondo Federation | PHOTO

Angélica Espinoza once again fills all Peruvians with pride. The national representative was chosen as the best Para taekwondo player of 2021. The great news was known after knowing the result of the election carried out by the World Taekwondo Federation. As recalled, the Para athlete won the gold medal at Tokyo 2020.

“Congratulations! The winner of the best female Paralympic athlete 2021 is Leonor Espinoza (Peru)! “says the publication made on the official social networks of the aforementioned discipline. Immediately, the sports entity mentioned what were the merits of the Peruvian during the previous season to be recognized.

“Leonor won gold in the women’s -49 kg event with a dominant display becoming the first Peruvian to win Paralympic gold in 21 years and to win the country’s first Paralympic medal at Tokyo 2020.”, adds the note in reference to the victory over the Turkish Meryem Cavdar.

In Tokyo 2020, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and only held last year, Angélica Espinoza beat India’s Aruna Tanwar in the quarterfinal round. Right away, the Peruvian beat Ziyodakhon Isakova, the representative of Uzbekistan, in the semifinals. Then, he won gold against Cavdar.

“I am quite excited to achieve the gold medal for Peru, the first for our country. The final has been difficult like all the previous ones. But I am proud and happy for the result “, said after her victory, the also winner of the gold medal at the Parapan American Games in Lima 2019.

“There were so many wonderful Olympians, Paralympians, referees and coaches in 2021 that I don’t know how the public decided who to vote for. Congratulations to all the Best of 2021 winners, but also congratulations to all those who received votes and contributed to a very successful year for Taekwondo. 2021 was a year that we will never forget “said Chungwon Choue, the president of World Taekwondo.

After this recognition, Angélica Espinoza will focus on the preparation and the route that can lead her to defend her gold medals at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.