WNAM REPORT: All Iranian taekwondo fighters could snatch medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, setting a new record in the history of Iran’s taekwondo.
The Olympic flame was officially extinguished during an elaborate closing ceremony Sunday, officially ending the 2024 Paris Games.
In taekwondo, Iran won one gold, two silvers, and one bronze and opened up a new chapter in the history of Iranian sports.
On his journey to finals, Arian Salimi defeated Carlos Sansores of Mexico in straight rounds in the quarterfinals to book a spot in the semifinals.
Salimi defeated former taekwondo world champion Ivan Šapina from Croatia 2-1 in the men’s +80kg semifinals to advance to the final, eyeing gold.
In the high-adrenaline encounter, Salimi lost the first round to his Croatian opponent before bouncing back strongly to win the other two rounds, making good use of his height and acrobatics.The first-time Olympian fought to an impressive victory over Great Britain’s Caden Cunningham 2-1 in the final match of the men’s +80kg to win a gold medal.
“I am 20 years old and sure I have planned for the next three Olympic Games,” Salimi said as he looked forward to a bright future in the sport.
“I am going to start step-by-step [towards] Los Angeles 2028 and then the other Olympics.”
Mehran Barkhordari took a silver medal in the men’s 80 kg. The sportsman was defeated 2-0.
Iran taekwondo athlete lost to Firas Katoussi from Tunisia in the men’s -80kg final of the 2024 Olympic Games.
It was the best medal in the history of Iranian sportswomen in the Olympics.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated Kiani’s victory in the Paris Olympics.Last but not least, Mobina Nematzadeh claimed a bronze medal in the women’s 49kg taekwondo.
She defeated Saudi Arabia’s taekwondo athlete 2-0 to win the bronze medal at the prestigious event.
Iran finished in 21st place in the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris, the capital of France.
The Persians moved up six places in medal standing compared to the previous edition held in Tokyo.
Iranian athletes won three gold medals, six silvers, and three bronzes.