Three taekwondo practitioners donned the green and gold in Paris, with all three taking it up to their opponents at the spectacular Grand Palais.
After progressing through the round of 16 by defeating Nourdine Issaka Garba (NIG), Olympic debutant Bailey Lewis had the tough task of trying to beat Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi (TUN), reigning Olympic silver medallist and world number one, with Jendoubi taking the win.
In her second Olympics, Stacey Hymer fell short in progressing to the women’s Taekwondo -57kg quarter-finals in a closely fought loss to Brazilian Maria Clara Pacheco.
The Victorian was unable to get through the high leg work of Pacheco, with the Brazilian’s 5-0 win in the opening round enough to seal a 2-0 victory, despite a deadlocked second round.
Reigning world championship bronze medallist Leon Sejranovic came up against Tunisian Firas Katoussi in the men’s -80kg round of 16, losing 2-0 to the world number six.
He got a second shot at a medal through the repechage round, but was unable to progress, going down bravely to Danish competitor Edi Hrnic 2-0.
