Cuban taekwondo athlete Rafael Alba mirrored his performance from Tokyo 2020, clinching the bronze medal in the +80 kg division at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Alba triumphed 2-0 over Croatian competitor Iván Šapina at the Grand Palais in Paris.
"The Cuban showed remarkable emotional resilience after his quarter-final loss to British athlete Caden Cunningham. In the repechage, he narrowly defeated Abdoul Issoufou with a 2-1 score, and in the semi-final, he dominated Croatian Šapina," reported olympics.com.
A world champion in 2013 and 2019, these were Alba's third Olympic Games. With this medal, Cuba currently sits at 29th in the medal standings, having collected two golds, one silver, and five bronzes.
Historic Achievements for Cuban Women in Canoeing
Earlier the same day, Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboys made history as the first Cuban woman to win an Olympic medal in sprint canoeing. The Guantánamo-born paddler captured bronze in the C1 200 meters event in Paris, a race that required a photo finish to determine the winner between Canadian Katie Vincent (gold) and American Nevin Harrison (silver).
This Sunday, August 11, the Closing Ceremony of the Games will take place at the Stade de France. The event, titled "Records," will feature over a hundred performers including acrobats, dancers, and circus artists.
FAQs about Rafael Alba's Bronze Medal in Paris 2024
Here are some frequently asked questions about Rafael Alba’s performance and achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:
How did Rafael Alba secure the bronze medal in Paris 2024?
Rafael Alba won the bronze medal by defeating Croatian Iván Šapina 2-0 in the semi-final match at the Grand Palais in Paris.
What was Rafael Alba's journey to the bronze medal?
After losing in the quarter-finals to British athlete Caden Cunningham, Alba defeated Abdoul Issoufou 2-1 in the repechage before securing his bronze with a win over Iván Šapina.
What other achievements does Rafael Alba have in taekwondo?
Rafael Alba is a world champion, having won titles in 2013 and 2019, and Paris 2024 marks his third appearance at the Olympic Games.