Dell'Aquila overcame defending champion Jang Jun of South Korea in a much-anticipated battle between the top two seeds at the Centro Acuático CODE Metropolitano in Guadalajara.

It was a clash of the titans and lived up to its billing as Dell'Aquila and Jang went toe-to-toe over three rounds.

Both players threw everything at each other in the closing moments of the first round with Jang taking it 12-11 after connecting with a kick to the head.

It looked like it could prove crucial but Dell'Aquila responded in brilliant fashion as he burst out of the traps to take a 6-0 lead at the start of the second round.

Jang cut the deficit with a head kick but Dell'Aquila found an extra gear, pulling away from the South Korea to take it 13-4 and set up a decider.

There were just three points in it with 30 seconds left as Dell'Aquila led 6-3 before the Italian stepped on the accelerator.

Dell'Aquila landed two body shots and a kick to the head in a stunning sequence as he won the decider 13-6 to be crowned world champion.

Mexico had hoped for a fourth gold medal but Brandon Plaza Hernández had to settle for bronze after being swept aside by Dell'Aquila in a one-sided semi-final.

Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi of Tunisia also sealed a place on the podium with his semi-final appearance where he lost to Jang.

Stojković also had a day to remember as she captured the women’s under-46kg title in emphatic fashion.

The Croatian, who claimed European gold last year, proved too strong for Rukiye Yildirim of Turkey, winning the first round 5-0.

Yildirim, a double European champion, struggled to find her feet as Stojković continued to pepper her with shots.

Stojković swept to victory, winning the second round 10-5 as Yildirim had to settle for silver to add to the world bronzes she achieved in 2011 and 2019.

Huang Ying Hsuan of Chinese Taipei and Andrea Ramirez Vargas of Colombia picked up the bronze medals.