Andrea Kilday of Christchurch bowed out of the women’s 49kg taekwondo contest today after losing a tight first-round battle with Brazilian favourite Iris Sing.
The bout went three rounds before Sing clinched her 7-5 victory.
In the first round, Kilday scored a point for an offensive kick, but Sing scored points for offensive and defensive kicks.
Kilday was unable to score in the second round, but Sing forged ahead with three points for an offensive kick and another for a defensive kick.
The New Zealander fought hard in the third round, scoring three points for an offensive kick to the head and another for an offensive kick. However, Sing wrapped up the contest with another point earned for a defensive kick.
Afterwards Kilday, 34, noted that it had been difficult fighting someone enjoying such vociferous support. The crowds in Rio certainly make sure they get behind their fellow Brazilians in an uninhibited manner.
Kilday said she was disappointed to bow out so early. “Perhaps I could have done better,” she said, “but I gave it everything I had.”