LONDON (AP) — Two-time Olympic taekwondo champion Steven Lopez of the United States has lost his first-round match at the London Games.
Lopez was beaten 3-2 by Ramin Azizov of Azerbaijan, the No. 1 seed in the Olympic men’s under-80-kilogram tournament. Lopez could still make the medal round, depending on how Azizov advances through the bracket. Lopez led 1-0 after the first 2-minute period, then gave up two points in the final moments of the second and did not lead again.
Steven Lopez had been bothered by an ankle injury this week.
On Thursday, Steven Lopez’s sister Diana Lopez lost in the first round to eventual silver medalist Hou Yuzhuo of China. USA Taekwondo spokesman Bill Kellick says Diana Lopez felt a “pop” in her left knee during a repechage-round fight Thursday night. Kellick says she might have an MRI.
