Iran Press/ Europe: Barkhordari struggled to find his rhythm in the final, losing the first round 4-2 and the second round 5-1, resulting in a 2-0 defeat to the Tunisian champion. Despite his valiant effort, Borkhordari had to settle for silver, leaving Iran's 16-year quest for an Olympic taekwondo gold medal unfulfilled.
Earlier in the day, Barkhordari had displayed remarkable skill and determination. He began his Olympic journey with a 2-1 victory over Jasurbek Jaysonov, the 2024 Asian champion from Uzbekistan. In his next match, Barkhordari faced the world’s top-ranked taekwondo fighter, Simone Alessio of Italy, a two-time world champion. In a stunning upset, the Iranian triumphed with the same scoreline, securing his place in the semifinals. There, he continued his winning streak by defeating South Korea's Seo Geon-woo 2-1, advancing to the final.
The Iranian taekwondo team brought a strong contingent to Paris, with four athletes competing. Alongside Barkhordari’s silver, Nahid Kiani secured a silver medal, and Mobina Nemat Zadeh added a bronze to the team’s tally.
The taekwondo events at the Paris Olympics have been fierce, with 134 competitors from 60 countries vying for medals. The competition began on Wednesday, August 7, at the Grand Palais and will conclude on Saturday, August 10, when Iran’s Arian Salimi competes in the men’s +80 kg category, aiming to add another medal to Iran’s haul.
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