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S. Korean title favorite loses in taekwondo quarterfinals

August 18, 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) — South Korean taekwondo title hopeful Lee Dae-hoon lost in the quarterfinals at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Thursday.

Lee lost to Ahmad Abughaush of Jordan 11-8 in the men’s -68kg competition at Carioca Arena 3. Lee won the 2012 Olympic silver in the -58kg and was going for his first Olympic gold in the new weight class.

South Korean taekwondo fighter Lee Dae-hoon (L) applauds his opponent, Ahmad Abughaush of Jordan, after Abughaush beat him 11-8 in the quarterfinals of the men's -68kg at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 18, 2016.

South Korean taekwondo fighter Lee Dae-hoon (L) applauds his opponent, Ahmad Abughaush of Jordan, after Abughaush beat him 11-8 in the quarterfinals of the men’s -68kg at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 18, 2016.

While Abughaush is only No. 40 on the World Taekwondo Federation’s Olympic rankings, 38 spots below Lee, the South Korean had considered him a dark horse.

Lee led 5-2 after two rounds but Abughaush rallied in the final period to upset the South Korean.

Lee has won two world championships, two Asian Games gold medals and two Asian titles. An Olympic gold is the only missing piece in his decorated resume.

Under the competition rules, Lee can still have a crack at a bronze medal through repechae if Abughaush reaches the final.