Nino Ontoy made a triumphant return to the podium at the London International Open Poomsae Championships 2025 earlier this month.
The 19-year-old Manx Taekwondo athlete competed in London earlier this month on May 2 and 3 at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre in Edmonton.
The event, one of the major fixtures in the international Poomsae calendar, drew over 400 athletes from 17 countries.
For Ontoy, it marked a crucial moment in his competitive season, coming just weeks after a difficult setback at the European Championships.
Gold in London
Despite the pressure, Ontoy demonstrated remarkable composure and focus, securing gold in the hotly contested Under-30 Male Individual division.
His winning performance edged out a fellow GB squad member by just 0.03 points in one of the closest finishes of the tournament.
“It was a nerve-racking moment,” Ontoy said.
“But I was determined to come back stronger, and I’m grateful everything came together at the right time.”
Ontoy also clinched gold in the Under-30 Male Team division, solidifying his status as one of the leading figures in British Poomsae.
Rising Star
He also added a bronze medal in the Under-30 Pair division, narrowly missing out on a full medal sweep.
Ontoy credited his success to a combination of faith, family, and unwavering support from his coaching and sponsor teams.
“I give all thanks to the Lord for the strength, the blessings, and the opportunities. I’m also incredibly grateful to my parents—especially my dad, who is also my coach—and to Master Rod Nielsen and Master Samuel Kim for their guidance,” he said.
With this strong performance under his belt, Ontoy now sets his sights on the next major competition, aiming to bring more medals home to the Isle of Man.
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