Jang Jun shows might, beats Kurt Barbosa in Olympic taekowndo

Kurt Barbosa still has a shot for an Olympic medal despite losing to the reigning world number one.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--South Korean Jang Jun quickly showed why he is the reigning world number one in men's under-58-kilogram taekwondo division, beating Filipino opponent Kurt Barbosa in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics taekwondo event on Saturday.

It was a smooth sailing for Jang, dominating Barbosa in the first two rounds and leading, 26-6, before the officials put the mercy rule, that is, the point gap rule, to play.

Barbosa, however, is not yet out of the medal running as a repechage for the bronze might happen if Jang goes all the way to the final.

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