Pita Taufatofua jnr lost to Sajjad Mardani of Iran but won the hearts of the crowd Featured
Pita Taufatofua jnr (Blue) of Tonga (TGA) against Sajjad Mardani (Red) of Iran (IRI) during first bout of Men’s +80kg Division at the Rio 2016 Games.
21 August, 2016. Pita Taufatofua jnr closed the participation of Team Tonga at the Games of the XXXI Olympiad with his event today at the Carioca Arena 3 at the Olympic Park.
Pita was drawn first up with number 1 rank, Sajjad Mardani of Iran, one of the favourite for medal in Rio. The 6’ 6” Mardani did not allow Pita to settle as he started to disrupt and attack Pita from the first round.
We also saw the difference in experience and that was reflected by the score line in which the fight was stopped because of gap difference (16-1 points). Pita was unlucky not to progress to the Repechage round as Mardani lost in his next bout to Mahama Cho of GBR.
Pita’s parent were in the crowd with older brother, Kongaika and his partner (Natalia) and members of Team Tonga. According to interim Secretary General, Takitoa Taumoepeau “Team Tonga and all the members of delegation in Rio were proud of Pita’s effort.
He performed very professionally and Tonga continued its popularity since the Opening Ceremony in Brazil. He added, “that Pita was disappointed with the result but it was a learning curve both for him in this level and it would be better for him going forward”.
Takitoa thanked Pita’s Coach, Paula Sitapa and Physio Alison Donnan for their assistance on the day as well as the Tonga Taekwondo Federation for the route that has taken to get Pita to Rio 2016.
“It was not a smooth ride. It was a difficult route in a lot of things, financially, injuries, family support, and other factors but that did not deter and discourage Pita from his goal to get to Rio”, said Takitoa.
The rest of the members of Team Tonga, both officials and athletes are all fine and looking forward for the Closing of the Games on Sunday evening and would start departing to Tonga from 22nd August onward.
