Israel’s Yuval Romlis, 17, Crowned World Taekwondo Champion in Croatia

Seventeen-year-old Yuval Romlis has been crowned World Champion in Taekwondo (ITF) at the 2025 World Championships in Croatia, where more than 1,500 athletes from 57 countries competed.

Romlis, who has trained since the age of four at the Israeli Taekwondo Center (ITF) — the country’s largest and most decorated club — achieved the biggest victory of his career after 13 years of daily training and representing Israel in international competitions.

Since the age of eight, he has competed across Europe, winning multiple medals in the European Cup and European Championships, but this world title marks his most significant accomplishment yet.

“Winning the World Championships and hearing Hatikvah play as I stood on the podium was the most emotional moment of my life,” Romlis said. “I’m proud to inspire the younger generation and prove that with hope, dedication, and perseverance, dreams can come true — and bring honor to Israel.”

Today, 95% of Israel’s national ITF Taekwondo team consists of athletes who trained at Romlis’s club, which has represented Israel in dozens of international events and continues to lead the sport nationally.