PARIS, France (Aug. 9, 2024) – On the third day of action at the Paris 2024 Olympic Taekwondo competition, Tunisia struck gold in the M-80kg and Hungary took home gold in the W-67kg.
Men’s silver was won by Iran, while women’s silver went to Serbia. Male bronzes were won by Italy and Denmark. Female bronzes went to USA and Belgium. Belgium, Denmark and Hungary are all first-time medal winners in Olympic Taekwondo competition.
Prior to the evening sessions, the WT Demo Team performed. And in a sport showcase, France defeated Brazil in Mixed Gender Team competition.
M-80kg
The final pitted Iran’s Mehran Barkhordari, who holds Grand Prix gold and silver, against towering Tunisian Firas Katoussi who has one Grand Prix Gold and a Military World Games gold under his black belt.
Round 1 saw Katoussi dominating the center mat the smaller Iranian circled, seeking openings. First blood – two points - went to Barkhordari. Fierce fighting took place on the perimeter, but the Iranian held out and it looked like the round was his. But in the final seconds, the Tunisian equalized and added an extra two points, winning Round 1, 4-2.
In Round 2, Katoussi initiated, landed a lightning, close-range crescent kick to the head for a three-point lead.
With just 10 seconds left, the Iranian attacked and fell. Katoussi, sensing victory, gestured to the crowd. Four seconds left, and Barkhordari requested an IVR. Rejected! After a flurry in the last 1.7 seconds the tall Tunisian won a 5-1.
He had played smart and economically, scoring as needed – and earning the Olympics’ most precious metal.
Bronzes were won by Simone Alessio of Italy and Denmark’s Eric Hrnic.
W-67kg
Viviana Marton of Hungary took on Aleksandra Perisic of Serbia in the final. The Hungarian is a relative newcomer to the elite game but is seen as a rising star. The Serb holds a Grand Prix gold and a World Championships silver.
Round 1: Both fought side-on for center turf, with neither giving up an inch. The Hungarian opened the scoring with a high kick that arced around the Serb’s guard for a three-point lead. Viviana extended her lead and ended the round, 7-1.
In Round 2, first blood went to the Serb with an up-close body kick - soon equaled by the Hungarian: 2-2. Marton landed again to the torso; Perisic had to go all out. She forced Marton back as the seconds counted down, but the Hungarian held a tight defense to win round, match, and gold.
Delighted, she burst into dance on the FOP and blew kisses into the crowd.
Bronzes were won by 18-year-old Kristina Teachout of Team USA and – in a last-split-second victory - Sarah Chaari of Belgium.
Action resumes tomorrow. The last categories of Paris 2024 are the W+67kg and the M+80kg.
