KABUL): Afghan athletes on Tuesday returned home from the London Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the taekwondo event.
Thousands of fans, government officials and parliamentarians warmly welcomed the national contingent at the Kabul International Airport.
Six taekwondo, boxing, judo and Wushu players participated in the Olympic Games that got under way on Jul.27. Sportspeople from more than 200 countries participated.
Afghanistan’s hero Roohullah Nikpai overpowered his British rival in the semifinal of the taekwondo event and won the bronze medal for his war-plagued country. Afghanistan finished 70th in the games.
President Hamid Karzai greeted the fighters on bringing home the laurels and said Afghan sportspeople had proved in recent years that they were second to none in terms of skills and commitment.
The US emerged the overall champion, bagging 48 gold medals while China finished second with 38 gold medals. The UK came third with 29 gold medals, followed by Russia with 24.
myn/mud
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