Kurt Barbosa's Olympics campaign ends as Jang Jun fails to reach taekwondo finals

Published July 24, 2021 4:12pm

South Korea's Jang Jun (Blue) and 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. Javier SORIANO / AFP

Filipino taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa concluded his Olympic campaign as his Round of 16 opponent, South Korea's Jang Jun, failed to reach the finals of the men's 58kg event in the Tokyo Olympics Saturday.

He lost against Jang, 26-6, in their match earlier today.

Barbosa then needed Jang, the world no. 1, to reach the finals for the Filipino to qualify for the repechage round, which would have given him a chance to compete for a bronze medal.

But Tunisia's Mohammed Khalil Jendoubi put an end to those hopes, scoring an upset over Jang, 16-11, in the semifinal round.

There are still 18 Filipino delegates remaining in competition in the Summer Games. Swimmer Remedy Rule and gymnast Carlos Yulo will compete later today.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News

Tags: Kurt Barbosa, Philippines at the Tokyo Olympics, 2020 Tokyo Olympics