DILI, 22 July 2025 (TATOLI) – Portuguese taekwondo athlete Tiago André secured the gold medal in the men’s 51-kilogram category at the 12th Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) Games after a dominant performance in Dili.
Tiago secured the gold medal with a decisive 2-0 victory over Mozambique’s Estivene Douglas in the final, dominating the first round 13–5 and closing the second 9–0.
Speaking to TATOLI at the Dili Sports Complex on Tuesday, Tiago dedicated his victory to Portugal and highlighted the effort behind it, noting that he had undergone intense preparation and competed in several tournaments in the UK, Slovenia, Spain, and Portugal ahead of the CPLP Games.
“After a long journey, I proudly dedicate this medal to Portugal,” he said.
Tiago reached the final after defeating Timor-Leste’s Denilton with another 2-0 victory, winning the first round 4–3 and the second 8–5.
He also offered words of encouragement to Timorese athletes, acknowledging their promising start and urging them to continue training and refining their techniques to represent the country in future international taekwondo events.
The men’s 51kg taekwondo category featured athletes from three nations: Mozambique, Portugal, and host country Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Natalino Belo
Editor: Xisto Piedade Freitas
Translation: Camilio de Sousa
