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’s campaign in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics officially ended when top-ranked jin Jang Jun suffered an upset loss in the men’s -58 kilogram semifinals of the taekwondo competition.
Jang, who defeated Barbosa in the round of 16, lost to Tunisia’s Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi 25-19 at Makuhari Messe Hall.
Jang’s stunning setback doused Barbosa’s hopes of entering the repechage where the country’s lone taekwondo jin would’ve been given a shot for a bronze medal had the South Korean star made the final round.
GOD’S PLAN 🙏🏼🥺 thank you LORD! #Tokyo2020 #TokyoOlympics
— KURT BARBOSA ✯ (@kurtesyyyyyy) July 24, 2021
Only the jins who lost to the eventual finalists will enter the lower bracket tournament for a chance for third place.
Barbosa suffered a lopsided loss to Jang, 26-6, in the tournament opener.
The 22-year-old Abra native is the first Filipino to bow out of contention in the Tokyo Games. Barbosa is part of a 19-strong Philippine delegation expected to end the country’s long wait for a breakthrough Olympic gold.