Kyorugi
12.05.2026
Dionis Memeti Makes Senior EM Debut in Munich
Swiss taekwondo athlete Dionis Memeti made his senior European Championship debut on Wednesday in Munich, competing in the Men's -63 kg category at the 2026 European Taekwondo Championships. In his first senior EM appearance, Memeti faced a highly experienced Finnish opponent and despite a promising start, lost in the opening round.
Swiss national Kyorugi trainer Peer Steinkellner reflected on the performance with cautious optimism. "He started well in the first round, was able to apply pressure, but then struggled to convert that into points," Steinkellner noted. "There are clear goals we've now defined, things that need to be worked on."
Despite the loss, Steinkellner was keen to put the result in perspective. Memeti had earned his place at the championships through qualification, and simply stepping onto the senior European stage for the first time is a milestone in itself.
The competition in Munich was marked by organisational challenges, though the Swiss delegation made the best of the circumstances. What the day did make clear, however, is where Memeti's development needs to go next. "You can still see his inexperience at this level in the senior category," Steinkellner acknowledged, "and that is exactly what we now need to work on." At just the beginning of his senior career, Memeti's Munich debut serves as a valuable first reference point.
Also in Munich: Ali Sina Azizi & Mahdi Khavari
Alongside Memeti, two athletes with deep ties to Swiss taekwondo also competed in Munich, representing the Taekwondo Refugee Team (TRT) at the European Championships. Ali Sina Azizi (Men's -68 kg) and Mahdi Khavari (Men's -63 kg) both lost their opening bouts only narrowly, and in fights that drew attention for all the right reasons. Both delivered excellent performances that underlined their quality at the highest level. Their bouts were a reminder of what the TRT stands for: resilience, excellence and the power of sport to transcend borders.
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