RIO DE JANEIRO - Azerbaijan's Radik Isaev prevented Niger claiming their first ever Olympic title when defeating Abdoulrazak Issoufou Alfaga 6-2 to win men's +80kg taekwondo gold.
Azerbaijan's Radik Isaev (R) competes against Niger's Abdoulrazak Issoufou Alfaga 6-2 to win men's +80kg taekwondo gold
Isaev was landing Azerbaijan's first gold of the Games to add to its haul of four silver and 10 bronze already in Brazil.
The bronze medals in this closing taekwondo title combat at Rio 2016 went to South Korea's Cha Dong-Min, the 2008 champion, and Maicon Siqueira of Brazil.
For Issoufou Alfaga there was pride in doubling his nation's Olympic medal haul, the only previous one being a boxing bronze at Munich in 1972.
"My country has won a medal again. Silver is good, in the Olympic Games since 1972 my country has only a bronze medal, until now nothing more," said the 21-year-old who trains in Germany.
China's Zheng Shuyin beat Mexican army officer Maria Espinoza 5-1 to claim the women's +67kg taekwondo gold at the Carioca arena.
Britain's Bianca Walkden and American Jackie Galloway won the bronze medals.
For Espinoza this was a third Olympic medal in the ancient Korean combat sport.
"I knew it is going to be difficult as Zheng is really tall," said the 28-year-old.
"I didn't get what I wanted but did my best. I feel really happy to have a gold, silver and bronze medal."
Zhang revealed that her height had forced her to adopt specific tactics against her Mexican rival.
"I am taller so I tried to keep my distance. If she is close she is faster than me, so I kept her away," said the 22-year-old.