ILAM
08-20-2008, 12:38 PM
Afghanistan wins first Olympic medal
BEIJING: Afghanistan won its first Olympic medal Wednesday, when Rohullah Nikpai defeated world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain to take the bronze in the men's under 58-kilogram tae kwon do competition.
Nikpai, a flashy kicker who has been practicing the Korean martial art since he was 10, defeated Ramos easily in their bronze medal contest, outscoring the limping Spaniard.
Nikpai placed second in the World Tae kwon do Federation's world qualifying event in Ho Chi Minh City last year.
The win brings him a $50,000 prize from a cellphone company in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan will get another chance at a medal in tae kwon do. Nesar Ahmad Bahave is competing in a heavier weight class.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/20/sports/AS-OLY-TAE-Taekwondo-Afghanistan.php
BEIJING: Afghanistan won its first Olympic medal Wednesday, when Rohullah Nikpai defeated world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain to take the bronze in the men's under 58-kilogram tae kwon do competition.
Nikpai, a flashy kicker who has been practicing the Korean martial art since he was 10, defeated Ramos easily in their bronze medal contest, outscoring the limping Spaniard.
Nikpai placed second in the World Tae kwon do Federation's world qualifying event in Ho Chi Minh City last year.
The win brings him a $50,000 prize from a cellphone company in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan will get another chance at a medal in tae kwon do. Nesar Ahmad Bahave is competing in a heavier weight class.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/20/sports/AS-OLY-TAE-Taekwondo-Afghanistan.php