Kazakhstan's Ruslan Zhaparov and Britian's Mahama Cho were presented with sportsmanship awards at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix event in Rome ©World Taekwondo

Kazakhstan's Ruslan Zhaparov and Britian's Mahama Cho were presented with sportsmanship awards at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix event in Rome.

The duo were recognised following their semi-final clash in the men's over-80 kilograms at Foro Italico Arena.

Zhaparov won the bout 25-9, with both athletes embracing each other at the end of the match and performing a short prayer in the centre of the mat.

Their actions followed the values of sportsmanship, fair play and respect that are central to taekwondo, it was claimed. 

Kazakhstan's Ruslan Zhaparov and Britian's Mahama Cho embraced following their semi-final bout at the World Taekwondo Rome Grand Prix at Foro Italico Arena ©World Taekwondo
Kazakhstan's Ruslan Zhaparov and Britian's Mahama Cho embraced following their semi-final bout at the World Taekwondo Rome Grand Prix at Foro Italico Arena ©World Taekwondo

"It is a sport; we are not enemies," Zhaparov said.

"Respect is very important. 

"Taekwondo is a beautiful sport we have to respect each other."

World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won presented the pair with their awards. 

Zhaparov went on to earn a silver medal, losing to Russia's Vladislav Larin in the final.