Saudi athlete Donia Abu Taleb beats Israeli Samberg in Taekwondo at Paris Olympics

Dubai: Saudi athlete Donia Ali Abu Taleb triumphed over Israeli competitor Abishag Samberg in a thrilling match on Wednesday, winning two sets to one in the round of 16 of the women’s 49kg taekwondo competition in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Despite trailing 2-6 in the first set, Abu Taleb staged an impressive comeback, winning the second set 5-4. She then dominated the third set with a resounding 10-0 victory, securing her place in the quarter-finals.

Samberg, a bronze medallist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was widely expected to win. However, Abu Taleb’s remarkable performance defied the odds.

In her first Olympic appearance, the Saudi champion aims to make history by winning her country’s first female Olympic medal.