Tokyo Olympics 2020 Day 1 Taekwondo Results: Youngsters Steal the Show in Men?s 58kg Category

Men’s taekwondo at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 begun with the Men’s 58kg category today. While the category threw up many excellent matches, Italy’s Vito Dell’Aquila took top honours after defeating Tunisia’s Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi.

South Korea’s Jun Kor Jang and Russia’s Mikhail Artamonov took home bronze medals from the event.

Vito Dell’Aquila secures maiden gold medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020

The Tokyo Olympics witnessed the women’s 49kg category and men’s 58kg category complete simultaneously. While Dell’Aquila competed in three matches before the final, he scored no less than 25 points in each match.

In addition, the World No. 6 ensured neither of his opponents could score over 17 points. On the other hand, Jendoubi shocked World No. 1 Jun Kor Jang in the semifinal to set up a clash with Dell’Aquila. Although the Tunisian made a huge 59-place jump in the world rankings this month, this could arguably be the most impressive win in his career.

Despite the Tunisian’s #32 world ranking, he gave an impressive fight to World #6 Dell’Aquila. However, the Italian proved too good on his Olympic debut, winning the final 16-12 to clinch Italy’s first gold medal in Tokyo.

While the victory marks an impressive Olympic debut for Dell’Aquila, the 20-year-old shows promise for a bright future in the sport.

Jendoubi, aged 19, became the first Tunisian Olympic medalist. Although he couldn’t take gold, this is arguably the most impressive achievement for the young Taekwondo athlete.

World No. 1 Jun Kor Jang wins bronze in Tokyo

Although the South Korean impressed in his first two matches, Jendoubi upset the World #1 in the semifinals. However, the 21-year-old won his bronze medal match in emphatic fashion, defeating Hungary’s Omar Salim 46-16.

Russia took home the second bronze medal in the category with World #7 Mikhail Artamonov taking the honour. While the World #7 also lost to Jendoubi on the Tunisian’s road to the final, he made a strong recovery to reach the bronze medal match via the repechage route.

The Russian defeated Argentina’s Lucas Lautaro Guzman 15-10 to join Jung as the second bronze medalist in Tokyo.

READ MORE: Tokyo Olympics 2020 Day 1 Judo Results: Penalties End Chinese Taipei?s Gold Medal Dream in Men?s 60kg Category