| ||
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Men’s taekwondo | ||
Representing Argentina | ||
Olympic Games | ||
2012 London | 80 kg | |
Pan American Games | ||
2011 Guadalajara | 80 kg |
Sebastián Eduardo Crismanich [1](born 30 October 1986 in Corrientes) [2] is an Argentine taekwondo athlete. He won the gold medal in the men's 80 kg division at the 2012 Summer Olympics. [3] [4]
Sebastián has the distinction of being the second individual athlete to win a gold medal for Argentina, the inaugural taekwondo medal for Argentina. The gold medal honor was established at the 1948 Summer Olympics, when Delfo Cabrera entered the stadium concluding the marathon. [5]
In his quest for the gold medal, Crismanich beat New Zealander Vaughn Scott 9-5, and then Afghan Nesar Ahmad Bahawi 9-1 in the quarterfinals.
After a fierce battle in the semifinals, Crismanich defeated Armenian Arman Yeremyan 2-1 and proceeded to the Olympic final.
In a narrow victory against Spaniard Nicolas Garcia Hemme, Crismanich was only able to take the advantage needed to win in the final round, seconds from the end. [5] [6]
He was honored as the national flag bearer at the London 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony Parade of Flags.
Sebastián Crismanich was born in Corrientes, Corrientes Province, into a Croatian immigrant family ( Croatian: Krizmanić). [7] [8] His brother, Mauro, is also a well-known taekwondo practitioner who won the bronze medal in men's flyweight (under 58 kg) at the 2009 World Taekwondo Championships in Copenhagen.