Essen (Germany), July 17 -- With a Danish flag wrapped around her shoulders, taekwondo athlete Eva Eun-Kyung Sandersen raced around the venue today after claiming the first gold of the Rhine-Ruhr World University Games in the women's individual poomsae with a score of 8.732.

A nine-time World Poomsae medalist and 11-time European champion, Sandersen dominated the final with refined technique and precise coordination, finishing ahead of South Korea's Jung Haeun.

Kaitlyn Marie Reclusado of the United States and China's Pan Meijing shared bronze.

"I feel so relieved," said Sandersen, pausing to catch her breath in a post-match interview.

"I'm really happy and proud of my trainer and everything we've worked for. I can finally tell the...