Mexican player Guillermo Perez claimed the title of men's 58kg taekwondo event on Wednesday with superiority ruled by referees.

Perez, 29, silver medalist of 2007 world championships entered into the final relatively easier than 28-year-old Dominican Yulis Gabriel Mercedes, who forced his way into the final after intense competitions against defending champion Chu Mu-yen of Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals and world champion Juan Antonio Ramos in the semifinals.

The two veterans finished their regular three rounds with 1-1. The referees voted to give the gold to Perez after the extra-time during which both of them failed to score a point.

Rohullah Nikpai of Afghanistan beat Ramos in repechage, winning his country the first Olympic medal. Chu beat Chutchawal Khawlaor of Thailand to share the bronze with Nikpai.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2008)