(from L to R) Silver medalist Zaid Kareem of Jordan, gold medalist Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan and bronze medalists Liang Yushuai of China and Edival Pontes of Brazil pose during the victory ceremony for taekwondo men -68kg at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
PARIS, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan successfully defended his Olympic gold medal in the men's 68kg taekwondo category at the Paris Olympics on Thursday.
The 22-year-old, Rashitov, who first claimed Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games, defeated Jordan's Zaid Kareem 2-0.
Entering the competition as the top seed, Rashitov's path to victory was marked by victories over Lo Wai Fung from Hong Kong, China, Liang Yushuai of China, and Spain's Javier Perez Polo.
In a day of intense competition, Liang secured a bronze medal for China after Britain's second-seeded Bradly Sinden withdrew from the bronze medal race due to injury. Brazil's Edival Pontes claimed the other bronze, adding to his nation's medal tally.
Reflecting on his back-to-back Olympic triumphs, Rashitov acknowledged the greater challenge this time around. "When I competed in Tokyo, I was younger and didn't think much about it. But defending the title was tough. I knew I had to perform better, and the most important thing was to believe in myself. I'll strive for my best in the future as well," Rashitov said.
In the women's 57kg division, South Korea's Kim Yu-jin claimed the gold medal in her Olympic debut after beating Nahid Kiyanichandeh. The 23-year-old defeated Turkey's Hatice Kubra Ilgun, Canada's Skylar Park, and China's top-seeded Luo Zongshi in the previous rounds. Kim won the final 2-0, securing South Korea's second taekwondo gold at the Paris Games.
Bronze medals went to Bulgaria's Kimia Alizadeh and Canada's Skylar Park.
The taekwondo competition, which began on Wednesday, will continue through August 10, with the men's 80kg and women's 67kg divisions set to compete on Friday. ■
Gold medalist Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan poses during the victory ceremony for taekwondo men -68kg at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
Javier Perez Polo (R) of Spain competes against Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan during the taekwondo men -68kg semifinal contest at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
(from L to R) Silver medalist Zaid Kareem of Jordan, gold medalist Ulugbek Rashitov of Uzbekistan and bronze medalists Liang Yushuai of China and Edival Pontes of Brazil take selfies during the victory ceremony for taekwondo men -68kg at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
