Cuban Taekwondo Olympian Angel Matos Banned for Life After Attacking Officials

The guy on the left in the above photo is Angel Matos of Cuba, a taekwondo Olympian. But the guy he's kicking isn't an opponent, it's a judge.

Matos was declared the loser of the bronze match for taking more than the allotted one minute of injury time after he hurt his leg. He responded by pushing the referee, then attacking the Swedish judge you see in the photo, Chakir Chelbat. He was eventually dragged out, spitting on the floor as he left.

Cuban coach Leudis Gonzalez refused to apologize for Matos' actions and criticized the judge, saying, "He was too strict." The World Taekwondo Federation immediately announced lifetime bans for both Matos and Gonzalez for what it called "a strong violation of the spirit of taekwondo and the Olympics."

Judging in taekwondo has been under scrutiny in these Olympics, as American bronze medalist Steven Lopez said a judge showed "human error" in one of his matches, and China's two-time gold medalist Chen Zhong was initially declared the winner of a match only to have the result overturned.

But any legitimate concerns about the quality of the judging will likely be overlooked, as the lasting image of taekwondo in these Olympics will be Angel Matos kicking Chakir Chelbat.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

8-23-2008 @ 10:55AM

Frederick said...

I am happy that they suspended him for life. Its completely unexeptable

8-23-2008 @ 11:24AM

David said...

He should have his black belt taken away. Totally violates the spirit of budo and sports.

8-23-2008 @ 11:31AM

annette torres said...

WHY ARENT THEY SHOWING ANYTHING FIR TAE KWONDO? THERE NOT SHOWING IT ON TV, I WOULOD RATHER WATCH IT THEN BASKETBALL OR RUNNING, TRACK AND FIELD IS GETTING BORING

8-23-2008 @ 11:55AM

Axel said...

The guy is a punk and a coward and does not belong in sports, period. Angel Matos, you're a loser and that is your legacy.

8-25-2008 @ 12:25PM

Danilo Banzon said...

If the judging of this sport Taekwando is really at its lowest level,
you can complain, file a protest or can criticize them at the top of your voice. But, hitting a judge with a kick let alone he (judge) with no protective gear., I think that is a no no and not within the spirit of sportsmanship. I knew the feeling and the frustation kicks in.
On the part of the organization, they have to check and examine the qualifications of all the participatiing judges..

8-23-2008 @ 12:26PM

Brian said...

Bet the Cuban government can't wait for them to return home...wonder if Castro will have anything to say about it.....

8-23-2008 @ 1:30PM

Martin said...

If he had been a Chinese athlete, the IOC would have said there was no evidence that he kicked the referee.

8-24-2008 @ 4:34AM

carl.lee said...

Martin, don't be so childish. You must a Cuban

8-25-2008 @ 2:35AM

Michael said...

Amazing how often stupidity surfaces on comments.
Dictionary: Stupid: please look up Martin

8-23-2008 @ 3:54PM

Dr Huxtable said...

That dude is a boss.

8-23-2008 @ 4:57PM

Gregory said...

look at the judges face lol

8-23-2008 @ 5:22PM

Paul said...

How long until Dana White signs him to a UFC contract???

8-23-2008 @ 5:59PM

Lakergregg said...

Simmer down people, if you've been watching these games you'd agree that there's many judges from many events that needed to get the shit kicked out of them.
Boxing for one and gynasics goes without saying.
I just hope theres some little girl somewhere sharpening up her skates for Vancouver 2010, watch out crappy judge from some nation that doesn't even have figure skating.

8-26-2008 @ 11:22PM

kickeminthehead said...

I agree. I feel bad for the ref, but the judging for most of the TKD compitition was terrible. Matos competitor said he was not able to continue because of a broken toe. What foot did he kick the ref with? Was it the one with the broken toe?

8-23-2008 @ 7:08PM

rolas said...

what

8-23-2008 @ 7:09PM

george bush is behind all this

8-24-2008 @ 12:55AM

George B Vieto said...

I wonder if Angel Matos is a Stone Cold Steve Austin fan. Just because the judging in the competition is suspect it doesn't give you a license to beat up officials.

8-24-2008 @ 12:57AM

Dan said...

He should be charged with assault. I think some time in a Chinese prison could do some good. You see his foot was fine when he wanted to kick the referree. He also didn't confront the big white guy that came from the left after his kick, he attacked the short guy. What a wimp.