Nikpai wins Afghanistan's first medal
By Ian Ransom
BEIJING (Reuters) - Afghanistan's Rohullah Nikpai won his country's first Olympic medal with a bronze after beating flyweight world champion Juan Antonio Ramos in the men's 58-kg taekwondo on Wednesday.
Nikpai stayed cool and grew in confidence as the bronze-medal bout went on, playing off a supportive crowd and burying the Spaniard in the third round.
"I'm very happy, it's Afghanistan's first Olympic medal," he told reporters.
Nikpai fell to his knees after the referee called time and wept after embracing his coaches.
(Editing by Miles Evans)
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