Iranian refugee athlete shatters GB’s Jade Jones’ Olympic taekwondo history bid

AFP
Britain's Jade Jones and Refugee Olympic Team's Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin (Red) compete in the taekwondo women's -57kg elimination round bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (AFP)
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TOKYO: Jade Jones's dreams of becoming the first athlete to win three Olympic taekwondo titles were shattered on Sunday as the Briton exited at the last-16 stage in Tokyo, beaten by Kimia Alizadeh of the Refugee Olympic Team.

Alizadeh -- Iran's first ever female Olympic medallist when she won bronze in 2016 before defecting in 2020 -- let out a shriek of delight as she beat Jones 16-12 in the 57kg bout.

Alizadeh cited institutional sexism when she defected in January last year, saying she was one of the "millions of oppressed women in Iran".

The Germany-based athlete, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games, earlier Sunday beat former compatriot Nahid Kiyani in the qualifying round.

Topics: Tokyo 2020 Olympics taekwondo Iran refugees Great Britain