Carlo Molfetta

Carlo Molfetta commenced his highly decorated Taekwondo career with significant early achievements, securing a Gold Medal at the 2000 World Championships in Killarney in the -63 youth category. His rapid ascent continued with a Silver Medal at the 2001 World Championships in Jeju in the -67 senior division, followed by a Gold Medal at the 2002 World Cup in Tokyo, also in the -67 senior category. Molfetta further solidified his international standing by earning a Gold Medal at the 2003 Universiade in Daegu in the -72 senior weight class. He continued his consistent medal-winning streak with a Silver Medal at the 2004 European Championships in Lillehammer and a Bronze Medal at the 2005 European Championships in Riga, both in the -72 senior category, establishing himself as a formidable competitor on the global stage.

In 2011, he added another Gold Medal from the Dutch Open in Eindhoven and a Bronze Medal at the World Championships in Gyeongju, further cementing his elite status. The zenith of Molfetta’s illustrious career arrived at the 2012 London Olympics, where he achieved the ultimate accolade, a Gold Medal in the men’s +80 kg heavyweight division. In a fiercely contested final, he triumphed over Anthony Obame of Gabon, with the match concluding in a 9-9 tie before Molfetta was declared the victor based on superiority. This historic victory not only marked the culmination of years of dedication but also secured Italy’s first-ever Olympic taekwondo medal, indelibly etching his name into sporting history.

In recognition of his unparalleled contributions and achievements in the sport, Carlo Molfetta was formally inducted into the prestigious Walk of Fame of Italian sport in 2023, solidifying his legacy as one of Italy’s most celebrated Olympic athletes.