The 2024 Paris Olympics have seen a heartbreaking exit for Lesotho’s taekwondo star, Michelle Tau, as she was defeated by Iran’s rising talent, Mobina Nematzadeh, in the women’s -49 kg weight class. This match, which marked the Olympic debut for both athletes, ended in a 3-0 and 2-0 victory for the 19-year-old Iranian, knocking Tau out of the competition.
• The Match Breakdown
In the first round, Nematzadeh quickly established her dominance, scoring three points with a head kick. This round, lasting just 1 minute and 55 seconds, set the tone for the match. In the second round, which lasted 1 minute and 22 seconds, Nematzadeh secured additional points with a body kick, solidifying her lead. Tau, on the other hand, struggled to overcome her opponent’s reach advantage and ultimately lost both rounds.
Tau faced significant challenges going into the match. Normally competing in the -46 kg weight class, she had to gain weight to compete in the -49 kg category, which left her at a disadvantage. Additionally, Nematzadeh’s height and reach gave her an edge that Tau couldn’t counter despite her skill and determination.
• Michelle Tau: A Legacy Beyond the Olympics
Born on April 1, 1997, in Lesotho, Michelle Tau has been a formidable force in African taekwondo, following in the footsteps of her late father. She has consistently competed at a high level, winning medals at the 2019 and 2023 African Games and the 2021 and 2023 African Taekwondo Championships. Beyond the mat, Tau has also shone in the beauty pageant world, competing in the 2017 Face of Beauty International in New Delhi and being crowned Face of Lesotho. She was also honored as a Baton bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay.
Michelle Tau’s journey to the Olympics was historic, as she became the first taekwondo representative from Lesotho to qualify for the Games in 20 years. Although her Olympic journey has ended, the support from the Basotho nation remains unwavering, recognizing her as the country’s best medal hope and a trailblazer in her sport.
• Mobina Nematzadeh: A Rising Star
Nematzadeh’s victory over Tau is another feather in the cap for the young Iranian athlete. At just 19 years old, Nematzadeh has already made a name for herself, winning a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games in the women’s 49 kg weight class and securing her spot in the Olympics through the Asian Olympic Qualification tournament in Tai’an, China. She has continued to impress in the ongoing 2024 Olympics, where she won one of the bronze medals in the 49 kg event.
• Lesotho’s Olympic Hopes: The Road Ahead
With Michelle Tau’s exit from the competition, Lesotho’s hopes for an Olympic medal now rest on the shoulders of the remaining athlete in the country’s Olympic athletes, long distance runner Mokulubete Makatisi, who will compete in the Women’s Marathon on August 11, 2024, at 8:00 AM. The nation’s other representative, Tebello Ramakongoana, has already made history by finishing 7th in the Men’s Marathon on August 10, 2024, with a time of 02:07:58. His achievement not only set a new national record but also placed him among the top 10 marathon runners globally ; a first for a Mosotho athlete. Ramakongoana’s finish places him 4th in Africa and 1st in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, a remarkable feat that has earned him and his country immense pride.
Ramakongoana was one of five African athletes to secure a spot in the top 10, with the marathon’s winner being Tamirat Tola from Ethiopia, third place taken by Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, fifth place by Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, seventh by Ramakongoana from Lesotho, and tenth by Samson Amare from Eritrea.
• The Nation’s Pride
Despite the mixed results, the Basotho nation remains deeply proud of their three Olympic athletes. Simply qualifying for the Olympics is a monumental achievement, and their performances have brought honor to their country. Whether on the taekwondo mat or the marathon course, Michelle Tau, Tebello Ramakongoana, and Mokulubete Makatisi have shown the world the strength and spirit of Lesotho.
