Disputing the Swedish referee’s decision during the bronze medal Tae Kwon Do match, Cuban Ángel Matos kicked the ref in the face resulting in a lifetime ban for Matos and his unapologetic coach.
Matos was winning, 3-2, in the second round, when he fell to the mat after being hit by his opponent, Kazakhstan’s Arman Chilmanov. He remained there, awaiting medical attention, when he was disqualified for taking too much injury time. Fighters get one minute, and Matos was disqualified when his time ran out.
Matos angrily questioned the call, pushed a judge, then pushed and kicked the referee, Chakir Chelbat of Sweden. Matos then spat on the floor and was escorted out.
After my very recent entry on this sport and the Olympics I sort of feel like a prescient dude right now for some reason.
Update: The Times reports that Fidel Castro has stepped into the ring regarding this incident and (not surprisingly) backs his now-banned athlete and coach.
In a column in a state-run newspaper today, Castro sided with Angel Valodia Matos and his coach, who seemed to defend the kick as an appropriate protest and also alleged bribing.
Read more here.
Thinking further about this after a short conversation with N recently, I’m actually surprised the ref was able to take the direct kick to his face for the most part. That’s pretty admirable of him.
I feel like if this kick was executed by any of the UFC guys or a decent Muay Thai fighter, it would have been lights out and nap time for the ref. I want to defend the martial art of my homeland, but man, this whole situation makes it look like rather weak sauce. If an Olympic tae kwon do fighter can’t knock out a common ref with an unblocked direct shot, then how do devotees of this technique rank against other fighting styles?
36 responses so far ↓
parrymathur // August 24, 2008 at 5:23 am |
Oh crap! That was not called for.
However, The Cuban must have been infuriated after he was disqualified. But that’s what you get for playing a sport that is aggressive. You vent out your frustration in the manner most convenient for you. Okay, young guy. Ban him for a while. Don’t life ban him!
Prithvi // August 24, 2008 at 11:11 am |
Who sent this basic animal to an arena of human excellence?
Harry // August 24, 2008 at 1:04 pm |
I do not mean to defend Matos’ reaction, but why does not anyone mention that Matos was injured because he was kicked in the ankle illegally by his opponent? Why does not anyone mention that the ref did not stop the time when he got injured, as dictated by the rules? Focusing on Matos’ wrong reaction, without mentioning his opponent’s and the ref’s wrong actions, seems a little biased to me.
mrod // August 24, 2008 at 1:08 pm |
It ain’t bias. HE KICKED A REF IN THE HEAD. lol. That’s craziness.
robitoh // August 24, 2008 at 2:04 pm |
wow!!!
Brian // August 24, 2008 at 2:16 pm |
I’ve always felt karate should be in the olympics as opposed to tae kwon do. I went through a tae kwon do program and to take my black belt test, I had to pay an exhorbitant amount of money just to get the belt. Karate is not like that. Tae kwon do is all about money. Being about money, I feel the sport is unworthy of being in the olympics and feel karate would be a better sport.
Another olympic scandal.Cuban Matos kicked the referee. « Realarmenia’s Weblog // August 24, 2008 at 2:49 pm |
[...] Found from here [...]
salobrena // August 24, 2008 at 4:15 pm |
Banned for life. As he should be.
Angel Matos, Cuban Contender in Olympic Tae Kwon Do Kicks Ref in Face, Banned - Pics and Videos « BUUUUURRRRNING HOT // August 24, 2008 at 8:46 pm |
[...] First photo and report coverage sourced via MROD nation. [...]
rei // August 24, 2008 at 10:09 pm |
hi matt…im inviting you to promote you blog in new social blog directory, please visit http://www.bloggerunited.com, cheers
Scott Thong // August 25, 2008 at 3:14 am |
I made an animated gif here.
Ángel Matos Attack Pics and Videos
alan1982 // August 25, 2008 at 5:31 am |
Well, I definitely agree that Matos’ actions by kicking a referee in the head were definitely uncalled for. But I think the decision to disqualify him due to Matos’ taking too much time during the match for the doctors to attend to him was somewhat unfair. Wasn’t it the doctors’ opinion to keep on treating his injured foot at the time? I’m sure if Matos wanted to come back in he would have.
But yeah, kicking the ref in the head? Pretty much crossed the line.
Erik // August 25, 2008 at 6:53 am |
I think the ref deserved it for making what looks to be the “me so sorry” face. First the Spanish basketball team and now the refs!
monster7of9 // August 25, 2008 at 8:41 am |
Regardless with the ruling for Matos, sportsmanship should have prevailed. I understand the frustration but Matos should have walked away and sought for an appeal.
John Feeney // August 25, 2008 at 11:14 am |
Harry:
His ankle must have healed pretty quick…..
No honor, no forgiveness. I hope this haunts his career of all time. Great msg he is sending to the youth…..cann’t wait to see those grow up….
krunkymunky // August 25, 2008 at 1:23 pm |
this is the fifth best blog post i’ve read all day!
BookGirl // August 25, 2008 at 4:11 pm |
I’m a Cuban American and I was soooo disappointed by this athlete’s behavior. I am not surprised Castro took his side. That is why I am proud to be in America, because that type of behavior is viewed as disgraceful here.
marthinuslutalapu // August 25, 2008 at 8:08 pm |
my commet is [ because is I m like CUBAN TAE KWON DO
JournalBoy // August 25, 2008 at 8:24 pm |
I’m an American Cuban and I was not soooo disappointed by this athlete’s behaviour. I am not surprised Castro took his side. He is a mature and brave man, who is not afraid to say his opinion, or clashing with unfair powers if necessary. The games are a mere corporate farce anyway and sometimes we have to forgive a human mistake when we consider the context. That is why I am proud to be in Cuba, because that type of behaviour is viewed as human here.
chingaling // August 25, 2008 at 8:52 pm |
how is it this guy did’nt get charged for assault with a deadly weapon? Must be some kind of diplomatic immunity or something.
BookGirl // August 26, 2008 at 12:01 am |
Journal Boy:
Human or not, kicking someone in the face is not something that is appropriate no matter how angry you are. What he did not only goes against humanity, it goes against the basic principles of Tae Kwon Do, which promote peace and self defense, not assault. Mocking me is lame. Have an opinion of your own.
Support // August 26, 2008 at 1:15 am |
well done… he shouldve hit him harder… good olympic attitude… haha
Robert // August 26, 2008 at 2:36 am |
This athlete is a jackass and displayed behavior that should have him banned for life. The Olympic games are about bringing people together and displaying good sportsmanship. This is exactly the type of behavior you don’t want kids to immitate. Good job on banning this jackass.
bittermanandy // August 26, 2008 at 4:44 am |
Kicking someone in the head because you are angry is the antithesis of every martial art in the world which promotes control, discipline and ethical behaviour. A violent physical assault on a referee would result in a life ban in any sport in the world.
Of course the failure of the full-blooded attack to cause any significant harm only served to highlight the fact that sporting Tae Kwon Do has no practical application whatsoever. It’s actually embarrassing to watch at the Olympics, because both competitors spend so much time on one leg that a gentle push would take them to the floor. There is no 100m hop at the Olympics, only the 100m sprint, so why a martial art sport that essentially forces the players to hop should be in the Olympics, or even considered “martial” in any way at all is beyond me. It’s competitive dance, no more no less.
bluestreety // August 26, 2008 at 5:01 am |
I am not for one second defending Matos, his actions in attacking the referee were over stepping the mark, somewhat, but I’ve thought ever since I first saw the incident, that the referee did not have to disqualify him. Surely he could have deducted points or awarded points to Chilmanov.
For me the only problem I found in what was a fantastic olympics, was the fighting sports. Some of the point scoring in Boxing beggered belief and the Tae Kwon Do scoring also appeared to be rigged at times.
docpark // August 26, 2008 at 6:24 am |
as a black belt, 1st degree, and a surgeon, I can tell you that you can take a hit and stay standing and you can also pull a punch or a kick. It was unfortunate and not in the spirit of martial arts or sports.
nakedbones // August 26, 2008 at 7:46 am |
This was really not called for, and the punishment he got was correct and well within order. You do not kick a referee at an olympic event…booooo bad fair play!
Styx // August 26, 2008 at 10:00 am |
For all of you who are defending Matos’ actions you fail to see the spirit of the Olympics. The Olympics do have ways to protest results. Why could he not be a man and follow that path? And people wonder why martial arts and UFC get bad reps. It is a shame that one has to taint these sports for the many.
Brian // August 26, 2008 at 11:59 am |
“I want to defend the martial art of my homeland, but man, this whole situation makes it look like rather weak sauce. If an Olympic tae kwon do fighter can’t knock out a common ref with an unblocked direct shot, then how do devotees of this technique rank against other fighting styles?”
That statement makes you a total dumbass.
mrod // August 26, 2008 at 12:05 pm |
@Brian Please explain instead of trolling. You are adding nothing to this discussion otherwise.
I would think an unblocked kick by an Olympic level athlete, especially one whose entire sport’s basis relies on KICKS, would knock most people down. In the same way that I guarantee you that a sucker punch by a pissed off Olympic boxer would probably knock your ass out. How the heck does a kick only result in a bloody lip?
you don't know squat // August 26, 2008 at 12:38 pm |
@Brian, I think the statement is pretty funny.
And I think you’re a total dumbass.
Yay, we’ve both shared opinions today that had nothing to do with the post. Points all around.
If you can’t see what Mateo is doing in that paragraph, then you sir…are quite the literal bastard.
Top Posts « WordPress.com // August 26, 2008 at 7:00 pm |
[...] CUBAN TAE KWON DO ATHLETE BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER KICKING REF Disputing the Swedish referee’s decision during the bronze medal Tae Kwon Do match, Cuban Ángel Matos kicked [...] [...]
krunkymunky // August 26, 2008 at 7:47 pm |
sweet you have trolls now!
Sciros // August 29, 2008 at 10:12 am |
@MRod (regarding kick failing to knock someone down)
A kick very easily can knock someone out — it happens in competition too frequently if you ask me. Olympic TKD sparring in no way resembles combat and is much more about making a quick connection rather than landing a powerful hit (the objective is points, not a KO).
A kick doesn’t have to knock you down to do physical damage. I’ve seen people take kicks that actually fractured their ribs yet remained standing.
The Cuban wasn’t trying to kill the judge; he was trying to vent frustration in a monumentally stupid way. So I’m not surprised that the kick didn’t really do much.
jonathan // October 9, 2008 at 8:37 pm |
i think no one can talk if they werent there beause lots of treffs do heat and some times you just cant controll your self
Mejores Publicaciones « JeSúS AmIgO // October 29, 2008 at 7:14 pm |
[...] CUBAN TAE KWON DO ATHLETE BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER KICKING REF Disputing the Swedish referee’s decision during the bronze medal Tae Kwon Do match, Cuban Ángel Matos kicked [...] [...]