[Yonhap News Photo]
Former taekwondo world champion Kim Tae-hun was upset in his first match at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Wednesday.
Kim lost to Tawin Hanprab of Thailand 12-10 in round 16 of the men's -58kg event at Carioca Arena 3.
Kim came in second on the World Taekwondo Federation's Olympic rankings, while Hanprab was 64th. Kim won the world titles in 2013 and 2015, and was pursuing his first Olympic gold medal here.
Kim can only reach the repechage stage and have a chance to win bronze if Hanprab advances to the final. Kim trailed 5-2 after the first round, but rallied to take a 7-6 lead after the second round.
Hanprab tied the score early in the third round, and with 56 seconds remaining, Hanprab scored three decisive points with a kick to Kim's face.
The teary Kim said he had analyzed Hanprab's tendencies but nerves got the better of him. "This was such a big match that I think I got too nervous," Kim said. "It's not that the opponent did well; I did so poorly."
(Yonhap)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
