Nikpai wins Afghanistan's first Olympic medal

Rohullah Nikpai won Afghanistan's first medal at an Olympics on Wednesday, upsetting world flyweight champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain to take bronze in the men's 58-kg taekwondo category.

Guillermo Perez triumphed over Yulis Gabriel Mercedes of the Dominican Republic in a dramatic final to be Mexico's first man to win gold since the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

In his bronze medal bout, Nikpai stayed cool and grew in confidence, playing off a supportive crowd and burying the Spaniard in the third round.

He fell to his knees after the referee called time and wept after embracing his coaches.

"I hope this medal can be a message of peace in Afghanistan," said 21-year-old Nikpai, whose home region of Maidan Wardak is a hot-bed of insurgency.

Nikpai is sure of a hero's welcome when he returns home.

A mobile phone tycoon promised the team $50,000 if they brought back a medal and the head of a local welfare organisation had pledged $10,000 for a bronze.

Afghanistan's previous best finish was a fifth place in wrestling at the Tokyo Games in 1964.

In the gold medal bout, neither Perez nor Mercedes were able to score in extra time after an aerially spectacular match between two good friends.

Referees handed the match to the stronger-attacking Perez who screamed at the heavens before embracing Mercedes.

REWARD

Nikpai will be given a house as a reward on the orders of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, a palace official said on Thursday.

"It's a time of big celebrations for all of us," said shopkeeper Khair Mohammad. "I'm so happy that despite the war, lack of sports facilities and training Nikpai managed to secure a medal."

Many Afghans were unable to watch Wednesday's bout live because power is intermittent and only some households have access to cable television.

But a recording of Nikpai's victory over world flyweight champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain was later played over and over on local stations.

"It is indeed a big honour and a matter of great happiness for all of Afghanistan, for this is the first time an Afghan athlete has managed to win a medal," said Taj Mohammad Ahmazada, head of archives at Afghan National Radio.

President Karzai personally called Nikpai to congratulate him on winning the medal, the palace official said.