Withdrawing from Olympic Final Due to Opponent's Injury
Some Overseas Netizens Leave Malicious Comments on Park Tae-jun's SNS
At the moment when the first Korean male Taekwondo gold medal in 16 years was confirmed, the protagonist Park Tae-jun (20, Kyung Hee University) could not fully express his joy on stage. This was because his opponent in the final, Gasim Magomedov (Azerbaijan), was writhing in pain on the mat. Magomedov forfeited with 1 minute and 2 seconds left in the second round, and Park Tae-jun checked on his opponent's condition for a while before running across the Grand Palais octagonal mat holding the Taegukgi flag.
On the 7th (local time), at the Grand Palais Taekwondo Arena in Paris, France, Park Tae-jun of Korea won the gold medal by defeating Gasim Magomedov of Azerbaijan in the men's 58kg final of the 2024 Paris Olympic Taekwondo event. He is taking a commemorative photo at the medal ceremony. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 8th (Korean time), Yonhap News reported that Park Tae-jun won by forfeit against Magomedov in the men's 58kg final of the 2024 Paris Olympics Taekwondo held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. Magomedov, ranked 26th in the world, caused the biggest upset in the men's 58kg category by reaching the final. In particular, he defeated Vito Dell'Aquila (Italy), the 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist and ranked 4th, in the semifinals. Magomedov, whose strength was shrouded in mystery, landed consecutive head kicks against Dell'Aquila in the first round and won 9-4. He showed fierce momentum by winning 11-1 in the second round as well.
On (local time), at the Grand Palais Taekwondo Arena in Paris, France, during the men's 58kg final of the 2024 Paris Olympics Taekwondo event, South Korea's Park Tae-jun is checking on Azerbaijan's Gasim Magomedov, who is struggling due to injury. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Before the final, there were predictions that the 'dark horse' Magomedov would be the tougher opponent for Park Tae-jun. However, the deciding factor in their match was an unexpected variable: injury. With 1 minute and 7 seconds left in the first round of the final, Magomedov and Park Tae-jun tangled legs while attempting a kick and fell. Magomedov expressed severe pain, continuously touching his left shin. The Azerbaijani coach could only spray some medicine. Magomedov signaled to the referee that he could continue the match, as if refusing to give up. In reality, Magomedov appeared to be in a condition where forfeiting immediately would not have been surprising, and he was penalized for failing to properly respond to Park Tae-jun's attacks.
Park Tae-jun Shows Olympic Spirit on the Podium After the Match
On the 7th (local time), at the Grand Palais Taekwondo Arena in Paris, France, during the men's 58kg final of the 2024 Paris Olympics Taekwondo event, South Korea's Park Tae-jun is checking on Azerbaijan's Gasim Magomedov, who is struggling due to injury. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The audience watching the match at the Grand Palais gave a big round of applause for Magomedov's fighting spirit. In fact, entering the second round, Magomedov attempted sharp head kicks that sent chills down Park Tae-jun's spine. However, as time passed, Magomedov's movements became sluggish. With 1 minute and 2 seconds left in the second round, Magomedov was hit by a body kick from Park Tae-jun and twisted in pain.
Seizing the opportunity, Park Tae-jun repeatedly attacked Magomedov, who eventually collapsed on the mat again. Magomedov struggled so much that his mouthguard even fell out and finally indicated that continuing the match was difficult. After the match, the two athletes smiled brightly and embraced on the podium as if they had never fought fiercely, demonstrating true sportsmanship.
At the medalists' press conference, Magomedov acknowledged Park Tae-jun's focus in attacking until the very end. Magomedov said, "(Despite the injury) I just tried to focus on my technique. I didn't get the result this time, but I hope to win gold in Los Angeles," sharing his thoughts on the match. After the match, Park Tae-jun explained in the mixed zone, "If the referee calls 'kal-ryeo' (break), then kicking is a foul. But until then, attacking is the rule. The referee did not call 'kal-ryeo,' so I attacked." However, despite the sportsmanship shown by both athletes, some overseas netizens left malicious comments on Park Tae-jun's Instagram post.
The issue was also raised during the official press conference. Park Tae-jun responded to the question by saying, "I learned that giving your best until the opponent gives up is a courtesy to the opponent. I gave my best until the very end." Regarding the scene showing friendship at the awards ceremony, he shared, "He is a player I often see at international competitions. I apologized, but he said that in martial arts, collisions are natural. We encouraged and supported each other."
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