PARIS — South Korea has reasserted its dominance in taekwondo at the Paris Olympics, with Kim Yu-jin clinching gold in the women’s 57-kilogram division. This victory came just a day after Park Tae-joon secured a gold medal in the men’s 58kg class, marking a significant resurgence for the nation in a sport that had eluded them in Tokyo.
Kim Yu-jin’s Path to Gold
Kim Yu-jin’s journey to the gold medal was marked by a series of impressive performances. The tall and agile taekwondoist faced formidable opponents, including the top-seeded Luo Zongshi of China in the semifinals. In the final, Kim demonstrated her prowess with a dominant performance against world champion Nahid Kiyani Chandeh of Iran.
“I believed in myself, that gave me extra confidence and I did not think about the rankings of my opponents,” Kim said after her victory. “I also put in a lot of effort, that’s how I got the gold medal.”
Kim’s victory is particularly significant as South Korea looks to reclaim its traditional strength in taekwondo after a disappointing performance in Tokyo.
Kimia Alizadeh’s Bronze for Bulgaria
Kimia Alizadeh, who made history as the first Iranian female athlete to win an Olympic medal with her bronze in Rio de Janeiro, secured another bronze in Paris. After defecting from Iran, Alizadeh now represents Bulgaria. Although she lost her opening-round match against Kiyani Chandeh, she achieved bronze through the repechage process.
Ulugbek Rashitov’s Back-to-Back Golds
In the men’s 68-kilogram division, Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan continued his dominance by securing back-to-back Olympic gold medals. Rashitov, who won the title in Tokyo, remained unbeaten in Paris, winning all his bouts without losing a single round. His final victory over Zaid Kareem of Jordan, who was competing in his Olympic debut, was a testament to Rashitov’s exceptional skill.
“I was just 19 for my first Olympic Games, I did not realize what it meant,” Rashitov said when reflecting on his achievements. “Now I realize how demanding it is, mentally and psychologically.”
Jade Jones’ Disappointing Exit
Jade Jones, aiming to become the first taekwondo athlete to win three Olympic gold medals, faced a setback in Paris. Competing in her fourth Olympics, Jones lost her opening bout to Miljana Reljiki of North Macedonia. The match was closely contested, ending 1-1 in the third round, with Reljiki awarded the win on superiority.
Jones, who first won gold at the 2012 London Olympics and successfully defended her title in Rio de Janeiro, had hoped to add a third gold to her collection. Her early exit in Paris marks a disappointing end to her Olympic journey, especially after being cleared of wrongdoing by the British anti-doping agency following a drug test failure last December.
Medal Standings and Future Prospects
The taekwondo tournaments at the Olympics award two bronze medals, with the losing semifinalists facing additional contestants who lost to the finalists but had another opportunity through the repechage. Liang Yushuai of China and Edival Pontes of Brazil took the bronze medals in their respective categories.
As the taekwondo events conclude, the spotlight will shift to the upcoming Olympic Games, with athletes like Rashitov eyeing further glory in Los Angeles. The performances in Paris have set the stage for continued excitement and competition in the sport, with a renewed focus on excellence and resilience.
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