Taipei - Taiwan's main taekwondo Olympic hope Chu Mu-yen announced his retirement Wednesday after failing to win gold, Taiwanese media reports said.
Chu, 26, gold medalist at the Athens Olympics, lost 3-2 to the Dominican Republic's Yulis Gabriel Mercedes in the men's 58kg event. Chu later beat Thailand's Chutchawal Khawlaor to win bronze.
Guillermo Perez of Mexico snatched gold, Yulis Gabriel Mercedes won silver while Afghanistan's Rohullah Nikpai was the other bronze medallist.
Chiu Kung-cheng, who has coached Chu since childhood, said: "In most international matches, Chu's rivals were afraid of Chu.
"But Mercedes came on strong and disrupted Chu's strategy. The other reason for Chu's loss was that his kicks were not powerful enough."
Taiwan had been looking to Chu to provide its sole gold in Beijing, having sent 80 athletes to compete in 15 sports.
It had also hoped to win medals in archery, tennis, baseball and table tennis, but has done poorly in most - expecially baseball, its national sport. (dpa)
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