Kiani to face Alizadeh in anticipated Olympic opener
Iran’s Nahid Kiani will begin her quest for taekwondo glory at the Paris Olympics with a much-anticipated clash against Bulgarian representative Kimia Alizadeh in the women’s -57kg contests on Thursday.
A gold winner in last year’s World Championships, Kiani will be aiming to become the second Iranian girl to win an Olympic medal in the 128-year history of the Games – a feat only accomplished by her last-16 opponent in Paris, who won a bronze when competing under the Iranian flag in Rio 2016.
The two also squared off in the first round at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, with Alizadeh – participating as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team – claiming an 18-9 victory before she was knocked out by Russian Tatiana Minina in the semifinals.
The winner of Thursday’s bout will go head-to-head with either Faith Dillon of the United States or Tunisian Chaima Toumi in the quarterfinals.
In an interview with Varzesh3 in January, Kiani opened up about her mental struggles after the setback against Alizadeh in the previous meeting.
“The bout was a one-off in the Olympic history and overcoming the unpleasant circumstances in the aftermath of the defeat was one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life,” Kiani said.
“I was devastated by the fact that a part of my compatriots cheered my opponent’s victory, which is why I had to seek professional help from a therapist.”
However, Kiani looks to be in high spirits ahead of a second Olympic participation.
“I had a bitter experience three years ago, but I’m still grateful God gave me another opportunity to take part in this sporting extravaganza,” Kiani told Mehr News Agency on Saturday, adding: “I’ve been working so hard to be in my best form for the Games and I’m confident August 8 will be the sweetest day of my life. Now is the time to add the Olympic triumph to my medal cabinet.”
The top two of the wight class in Tokyo, American gold medalist Anastasija Zolotic and Minina, will not be present in Paris but Turkey’s Hatice Kübra İlgün and Lo Chia-ling of the Chinese Taipei will be looking to improve on their bronze medals.
There will also be a number of high-profile contenders in the mix, including Team GB’s two-time Olympic champion Jade Jones, Canadian Skylar Park, 2022 world champion Luo Zongshi of China, and South Korean Kim Yu-jin.
Seeking seventh
Kiani will be joined by three fellow-Iranians in chasing a seventh taekwondo medal for the country in the Olympic history.
Teenage sensation Mobina Ne’matzadeh will be in action today, taking on Lesotho’s Michelle Tau – a winner of double bronzes in the African Championships – in the women’s -49kg event.
A victory will see the Iranian – bronze medalist in last year’s Asian Games – meet Spain’s Adriana Cerezo Iglesias – runner-up in Tokyo – or María Sara Grippoli of Uruguay in the last eight.
In the men’s draw, Mehran Barkhordari – world bronze winner in 2022 – will face Uzbekistan’s Jasurbek Jaysunov in the -80kg contests on Friday, with the winner heading into a probable last-eight battle against Italian two-time world champion Simone Alessio, who will meet Ismael Coulibaly of Mali or Kazakhstan’s Batyrkhan Toleugali in his opening bout.
Iran’s taekwondo campaign in Paris will come to end with the men’s +80kg event on Saturday, when Arian Salimi steps onto the mat at Grand Palais against three-time world medal winner Nikita Rafalovich of Uzbekistan, with the winner meeting prominent Mexican Carlos Sansores or Paivou Johnouario Gomis of Guinea-Bissau for a last-four spot.