Kurt Barbosa out of gold medal contention, falls to world champ

kurt barbosa jang jun tokyo olympics

South Korea’s Jang Jun (Blue) and the Philippines’ Kurt Bryan Barbosa (Red) compete in the taekwondo men’s -58kg elimination round bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe Hall in Tokyo on July 24, 2021. (Photo by Javier SORIANO / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines—Kurt Barbosa failed in his bid for glory, losing to world No. 1 Jang Jun of South Korea, 26-6, in the round of 16 of the men’s -58 kilogram division in the taekwondo competition of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at Makuhari Messe Hall.

The 6-foot Jang, the 2019 world champion, started the match strong ending the first round up, 12-1, as he utilized his two-inch height advantage against Barbosa.

Jang then continued his assault in the second with a quick succession of kicks to the head and the body to stretch his lead to, 24-6.

Barbosa is now eliminated from gold medal contention while Jang advances to the quarterfinals of the competition.

The Philippines’ lone taekwondo bet, however, still has a chance to take home a bronze medal in the repechage provided that Jang makes the gold medal match.

Jang is a five-time Grand Prix gold medalist and is seeking his first Olympic title.

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