Chiriac Extends Own High Kick Record to 292 cm

Romania's Andrei Ionut Chiriac set a new ITF Taekwon-Do Special Technique world record of 292 cm in the flying high front kick at the World Cup Gala in Benidorm on Friday evening. Improving his own benchmark by a single centimetre, he was the sole athlete among five qualified men to clear the new height.

Silence, then a single valid jump

The record attempt unfolded on the fourth competition day, staged live before the Gala audience after four women had tried and failed to raise the female standard to 255 cm. None of the four, including Polish record-holder Michelle Wendykier, recorded a valid jump.

Then Chiriac, the only male qualifier still standing, demanded absolute silence in the hall. His leap struck the target fixed at 292 cm and was verified as clean on the spot.

One centimetre on a record he already owned

Chiriac first seized the world mark at the 2025 World Championships in Poreč, Croatia, where he cleared 291 cm in a final contested under official ITF Special Technique rules for the first time. That jump closed a thrilling duel with a compatriot and drew sustained applause for its blend of power and timing.

Chiriac delivered the improvement the programme demanded, moving the bar from 291 cm to 292 cm while remaining the only man to register a valid attempt.

The same day, representing ACS Liga de Est Vaslui, he also claimed the men's 18-35 Special Technique category title at the World Cup.