Posted at 7:25 a.m., Sunday, May 20, 2007
Lopez captures fourth straight taekwondo world title
Associated Press
BEIJING — American Steven Lopez defeated Korean's Jang Chang-Ha in sudden death today to claim his fourth straight taekwondo welterweight world championship, extending his domination of a sport in which he also has two straight Olympic gold medals.Using a front kick to send the Korean to the mat, Lopez finished up his sixth victory of the day after the two were deadlocked at 0-0 at the end of regulation time. The 28-year-old from Sugar Land, Texas, defeated Canada's Sebastian Michaud in the semifinals.
Lopez also won world titles in 2001, 2003 and 2005.
The gold medal gave the U.S. team three medals in the tournament. Charlotte Craig of Murrieta, Calif., won bronze in the women's finweight division on Friday, and Diana Lopez, Steven's sister, got a bronze in the featherweight class on Saturday.
Other than Steven Lopez, American fighters strauggled Sunday in the tournament. Women's flyweight Simone DeVito, women's middleweight Dalia Avivi and men's flyweight Tim Thackrey all were eliminated.
The world championships conclude Tuesday.
