S. OchiengTOKYO 2020: Ogallo's hopes of podium finish quashed
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 27.07.21. | 16:48
Ogallo lost to Poland’s Aleksandra Kowalczuk by a final score of 15-7
Kenya’s sole Taekwondo representative at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Faith Ogallo, endured yet another disappointing moment as she lost to Poland’s Aleksandra Kowalczuk by a final score of 15-7 in their women’s +67KGs repechage round one contest.
Ogallo had lost her first match 13-0 against Serbia’s former Olympic gold medalist Milica Mandic but there was still hopes of a podium finish for the 2018 East African University Games gold medalist on condition that Mandic beat she beat her next opponent – Kowalczuk – in order to earn a spot in the bronze medal match up.
That was however not to be for Ogallo as the Polish athlete emerged victorious by the final 15-7 score. Unlike the first contest where she did not record any point against Mandic, Ogallo took the fight, literally, to the polish athlete as she managed seven points.
Kenya's Faith Ogallo lost to Poland's Aleksandra Kowalczuk 15 - 7, in the women's +67 KGs repechage.
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) July 27, 2021
Trust the process Faith#Tokyo2020#SportsArenake pic.twitter.com/17WOsuYHHX
In the end however, Kowalczuk knocked Ogallo out of medal contention and dashed her aim of winning a medal at the 2020 Olympic Games, a target she had set for herself going to Tokyo.
From the very beginning however, Ogallo made an impressive start in round one getting a 2-0 lead after a kick to the Pole’s body. By the end of the round, though, Kowalczuk took control, winning 4-6.
The Pole also took round two by 5-8. Kowalczuk showed her class in the third round where she dominated with a series of kicks and a punch that saw her win by a final score of 7-15.
This was the first Olympics event for the 27 year old Ogallo who secured her spot at the summer games after qualifying at the 2020 African Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Rabat, Morocco.
