TWO Egyptian Taekwondo fighters, Hedaya Malak and Sief Issa, on Monday secured Egypt’s first medals in Tokyo Olympics.
Malak, a 28-year-old woman fighter, won the bronze medal after beating Paige Mcpherson of USA 6-17 in the -67kg event.
The 2016 bronze medalist qualified for the game against Mcpherson after smashing Malia Paseka of Tonga 19-0 in the Women’s -67kg repechage earlier in the day yesterday.
However, the Egyptian star lost 12-13 to Lauren Williams of Great Britain in the Women’s quarter finals of the -67kg event later yesterday.
Also yesterday, Taekwondo fighter Issa secured Egypt’s second bronze medal after beating Richard Ordemann of Norway 12/4 in the -80kg event.
Earlier in the day, Issa lost to Maksim Khramtcov of the Russian Olympic Committee 13-1 in the semifinals of the -81kg event.
Issa qualified to the semifinals after defeating Jack Marton of Australia 11-1 in the Round of 16.