China News Service, Tai'an, March 16th. The Asian qualifying competition for the Taekwondo event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games entered the second competition day in Tai'an, Shandong on the 16th.
Chinese player Song Zhaoxiang defeated Chinese Taipei player Li Meng'en in straight games in the men's 80kg and above semi-finals, locking the Chinese team's qualification for the Paris Olympics in this event.
On the 16th, Song Zhaoxiang qualified for the men's 80kg and above category in the Asian qualifying competition for Taekwondo at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Photo provided by the organizer
Among the four levels held that day, the men’s 80kg and above competition was the focus.
As the only player from the Chinese team in this event, Song Zhaoxiang performed well in the morning round and joined up with Chinese Taipei team player Li Meng'en in the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, Song Zhaoxiang showed his outstanding front leg skills and scored consecutive torso points in the opening game, winning the first game 11:4.
In the second game, Song Zhaoxiang relied on both offensive and defensive skills and tactics to win 9:6.
Song Zhaoxiang (in blue) during the competition.
Photo provided by the organizer
After this competition, the Chinese taekwondo team's journey to compete for a seat in the Paris Olympics has ended. It has fully participated in the women's 49kg, 57kg, 67kg and over 67kg classes and the men's 68kg class. The fully qualified lineup of the two levels of taekwondo and 80kg and above is heading towards Paris. The number of participants currently ranks first among the taekwondo teams of various countries and regions.
Another ticket for the men's 80kg and above category was won by Iran's Arian Salimi.
In the men's 58kg category, Palestinian team Omar Ismail and Kazakhstan team Samirkhon Ababagilov qualified.
Tajikistan's Munira Abdusalomova and Jordan's Rama Eboalroub have secured qualifications for the women's 67kg and above category.
Lebanese athlete Letitia Aoun and South Korean athlete Kim Yujin have obtained two Olympic qualifications in the women's 57kg.
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