Afghanistan at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Afghanistan at the
2012 Summer Olympics
IOC code AFG
NOC Afghanistan National Olympic Committee
in London
Competitors 6 in 4 sports
Flag bearer Nesar Ahmad Bahave[1] (opening) Rohullah Nikpai (closing)
Medals
Ranked 79th
Gold Silver Bronze Total
0 0 1 1
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

Afghanistan competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012. Six Afghan athletes were selected for the Games, competing in 4 different sporting events. Rohullah Nikpai, who won Afghanistan's first ever Olympic medal at the 2008 Games, managed to repeat his bronze medal in the men's 68 kg taekwondo event for the second time.

Medalists

The following Afghan competitors won medals at the Games. In the 'by discipline' sections below, medallists' names are in bold.

Medal Name Sport Event Date
 Bronze Nikpai, RohullahRohullah Nikpai Taekwondo Men's 68 kg 9 August

Athletics

Afghanistan has selected 2 athletes by wildcard. Both athletes competed in the 100 m sprint and did not qualify to the quarterfinals. Tahmina Kohistani might have been the slowest runner in the women's 100m, however; taking part at the Olympics was considered a triumph due to the pressures against women in sport.[2] Kohistani wishes that her performance would inspire other Afghan women to enter sports.[2]

Key
  • Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
  • Q = Qualified for the next round
  • q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
  • NR = National record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event
  • Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round
Men
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Massoud Azizi 100 m 11.19 6 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Tahmina Kohistani 100 m 14.42 9 Did not advance

Boxing

Afghanistan was given a tripartite invitation to compete in boxing.[3] Despite losing in the first round, boxer Ajmal Faisal enjoyed the Olympic experience, stating that there is a lack of boxing facilities and opposition by the Taliban and other political groups towards boxing. He also credited AIBA for providing a training camp for him and other fighters in order to "compete and last for three rounds against tougher opponents."[4]

Men
Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Ajmal Faisal Flyweight  Oubaali (FRA)
L 9–22		 Did not advance

Judo

Afghanistan's Ajmal Faizzada was given an invitation to compete in judo and competed in the -66 kg weight class.[5] He lost to Hungary's Miklós Ungvári in the first round match by harai makikomi.

Athlete Event Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Final / BM
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Ajmal Faizzada Men's −66 kg  Ungvári (HUN)
L 0000–0100		 Did not advance

Taekwondo

Afghanistan qualified two male athletes through their performance at the 2011 Asian Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament. 2008 Olympic and 2011 World bronze medalist Rohullah Nikpai competed in the -68 kg category and 2010 Asian Games silver medalist Nesar Ahmad Bahave competed in the -80 kg category. Rohullah Nikpai managed repeat his performance from Beijing four years ago in a heavier weight category by winning the bronze medal after defeating Great Britain's Martin Stamper. Nesar Ahmad Bahave also advanced to the bronze medal match; however, having severe injuries throughout the entire competition, he was unable to defeat Italy's Mauro Sarmiento, and was taken to the hospital shortly after the match.[6] Despite of his defeat, Bahave earned much respect from his people in Afghanistan.[6]

Athlete Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Bronze Medal Final
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Rohullah Nikpai[7] Men's −68 kg  Łoniewski (POL)
W 12–5		  Motamed (IRI)
L 4–5		 Did not advance  Boui (CAF)
W 14–2		  Stamper (GBR)
W 5–3		 Did not advance 3rd, bronze medalist(s)
Nesar Ahmad Bahave[7] Men's −80 kg  Chernoubi (MAR)
W 4–3		  Crismanich (ARG)
L 1–9		 Did not advance  Scott (NZL)
W 11–6		  Sarmiento (ITA)
L 0–4		 Did not advance 5

References

  1. ↑ Staff (27 July 2012). "London 2012 Opening Ceremony – Flag Bearers" (PDF). Olympics. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  2. 1 2 To Tahmina, just taking part in the Olympics was her triumph
  3. ↑ AIBA Tripartite Selection
  4. ↑ Sweet defeat! Afghan boxer knocked out by Olympic experience
  5. ↑ IntJudo – Invited Country to take part at the London Games Archived 2013-06-18 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. 1 2 "Afghanistan unites behind Olympic success". Guardian.co.uk. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Asian Qualification Tournament for London 2012 – Medallists" (PDF). World Taekwondo Federation. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
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