U.S. Men Reach World Cup Quarterfinals

Bill Kellick July 19, 2010

A 3-1 victory over Thailand on Monday secured a berth in Tuesday's quarterfinal round for the U.S. men's team at the WTF World Cup Team Taekwondo Championships in Urumqi, China. The U.S. women's team also qualified for tomorrow's quarterfinal round.

The men's team was the beneficiary of an injured Thailand team on Monday. Fin/flyweight James Howe (San Ramon, Calif.), bantam/featherweight Terrence Jennings (Alexandria, Va.), and middle/heavyweight Jason Neville (Edmond, Okla.) all won by bowout over their injured opponents. Light/welterweight Antony Graf (Miami, Fla.) did fight but lost a 3-1 decision.

The U.S. women's team moved on to the quarterfinal round despite a 3-1 loss to Russia on Monday. Light/welterweight Paige McPherson (Miami, Fla.) was the only victor with a 12-4 win. Fin/flyweight Charlotte Craig (Murietta, Calif.) lost by a 2-1 count, bantam/featherweight Danielle Pelham (Bothell, Wash.) lost in overtime after a 3-3 tie in regulation, and middle/heavyweight Lauren Cahoon (Miami, Fla.) dropped a 3-0 decision.

The top eight teams from the round robin portion advanced to tomorrow's quarterfinal round. The semifinal and final rounds will also take place on Tuesday.

The U.S. men's team finished as the #5 seed and will face #4 Turkey in the quarterfinals. Iran is the #1 seed, Korea is #2, Spain is #3, China is #6, Chinese Taipei is #7 and Russia is #8.

The American women's team will be the #7 seed and will also face Turkey in the quarterfinal round. Korea is the women's top seed followed by #2 Turkey, #3 China, #4 Thailand, #5 Russia, #6 France, the U.S. and #8 Mexico.

The quarterfinal brackets can be viewed HERE.

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