Saleh Elsharabaty's Journey Ends in Men's -80kg Taekwondo Round of 16

In a thrilling encounter at the 2024 Olympics held at the Grand Palais, Jordan's Saleh Elsharabaty faced off against Brazil's Henrique Rodrigues Fernandes in the Men's -80kg Taekwondo Round of 16. The match, which took place on August 9, 2024, was filled with intense moments and strategic maneuvers from both athletes.

Elsharabaty, seeded fifth in the event, entered the match with high hopes. He started strong in the first round, showcasing his skills with scores of 2 points early on. However, Rodrigues Fernandes, who was seeded twelfth, quickly adapted and countered Elsharabaty's moves effectively. By the end of the first round, the score was 4-1 in favor of Rodrigues Fernandes.

The second round saw an even fiercer competition as both fighters exchanged techniques and points. Rodrigues Fernandes continued to dominate, scoring 5 points while Elsharabaty managed to get only 2 points. The match concluded with Rodrigues Fernandes winning by points with a final score of 12-4.

Despite the loss, Elsharabaty's performance was commendable, demonstrating his capability as a top competitor in the sport. The officials for the match included referee Andriy Starkov from Ukraine, judges Dmitriy Kim from Uzbekistan and Alissa Juman from Canada, along with technical assistant Daniel Khorassandjian from Lebanon.

This match highlighted the fierce competition in Taekwondo at the Olympics and set the stage for the upcoming rounds where Rodrigues Fernandes will continue to vie for a medal. The Grand Palais has witnessed many such intense moments during the Games, contributing to the rich legacy of the Olympic spirit.