1. Early Life
Adriana Cerezo Iglesias was born on 24 November 2003, in Alcalá de Henares, a city in the Community of Madrid, Spain. From a young age, she dedicated herself to taekwondo, training at the Hankuk International School under the guidance of coach Jesús Ramal. She competes in the flyweight category, typically around 108 lb (49 kg), and stands at 66 in (168 cm) tall.
2. Career
Adriana Cerezo's taekwondo career has been characterized by a rapid ascent from junior success to becoming a major force in senior international competitions. Her remarkable consistency and ability to perform at the highest level have earned her numerous accolades across various championships.
2.1. Junior and Early Senior Achievements
Cerezo demonstrated her prodigious talent early in her career, achieving significant success in junior and U21 competitions. In 2019, she secured gold medals at both the European Junior Championships held in Marina d'Or, Spain, and the European U21 Championships in Helsingborg, Sweden, both in the 49 kg category.
Her senior international debut was equally impressive. At just 17 years old, she competed in her first European Taekwondo Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2021, where she won a gold medal in the 49 kg event. This victory marked a significant milestone in her career, signaling her arrival on the senior stage. A month later, she participated in the 2021 European Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament, where she earned a silver medal, successfully qualifying for the upcoming Olympic Games.
2.2. Olympic Debut and Post-Olympic Success (2020-2022)
Cerezo made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, where she competed in the women's 49 kg event. Despite her young age, she delivered a stellar performance, ultimately securing a silver medal after a hard-fought final against Panipak Wongpattanakit of Thailand.
Following her Olympic success, Cerezo continued to excel in major international tournaments throughout 2022. She won a gold medal at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Rome, Italy, in the 49 kg category. She also claimed a silver medal at the 2022 Mediterranean Games held in Oran, Algeria, in the women's 49 kg event. Later that year, she earned a bronze medal at the European Taekwondo Championships in Manchester, United Kingdom. Her strong performance continued with additional bronze medals at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix events in Manchester and Riyadh. She also secured another gold medal at the European U21 Championships in Tirana, Albania.
2.3. Major Competitions (2023-Present)
The period from 2023 onwards has seen Cerezo maintain her position among the elite in international taekwondo. In 2023, she earned a bronze medal in the women's flyweight (-49 kg) event at the World Taekwondo Championships held in Baku, Azerbaijan. She continued her success on the Grand Prix circuit, winning silver medals at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix events in Rome, Italy, Paris, France, and Manchester, United Kingdom. A significant achievement in 2023 was her gold medal win at the 2023 European Games in Kraków-Małopolska, Poland, once again in the 49 kg category.
Her consistent performance culminated in another major victory in 2024, when she won a gold medal in the women's 49 kg event at the 2024 European Taekwondo Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia.
| Year | Competition | Location | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | European Junior Championships | Marina d'Or | 49 kg | Gold |
| 2019 | European U21 Championships | Helsingborg | 49 kg | Gold |
| 2021 | European Taekwondo Championships | Sofia | 49 kg | Gold |
| 2020 | Tokyo Summer Olympics | Tokyo | 49 kg | Silver |
| 2022 | World Taekwondo Grand Prix | Rome | 49 kg | Gold |
| 2022 | Mediterranean Games | Oran | 49 kg | Silver |
| 2022 | European Taekwondo Championships | Manchester | 49 kg | Bronze |
| 2022 | European U21 Championships | Tirana | 49 kg | Gold |
| 2022 | World Taekwondo Grand Prix | Manchester | 49 kg | Bronze |
| 2022 | World Taekwondo Grand Prix | Riyadh | 49 kg | Bronze |
| 2023 | World Taekwondo Championships | Baku | -49 kg | Bronze |
| 2023 | World Taekwondo Grand Prix | Rome | 49 kg | Silver |
| 2023 | European Games | Kraków-Małopolska | 49 kg | Gold |
| 2023 | World Taekwondo Grand Prix | Paris | 49 kg | Silver |
| 2023 | World Taekwondo Grand Prix | Manchester | 49 kg | Silver |
| 2024 | European Taekwondo Championships | Belgrade | 49 kg | Gold |