Lebanon’s Laetitia Aoun has just achieved a major milestone by securing 5th place in the women’s 57kg Taekwondo category at the 2024 Olympics. It’s her first time competing on the Olympic stage, and she’s already made her country proud.
Aoun started strong, taking down Taipei’s Chia-lin Lo 2-0 in the opening match. She kept the momentum going in the quarterfinals, where she beat Macedonia’s Miljana Reljikj. However, the semifinals brought a tougher challenge.
Facing off against Iran’s Nahid Kiyanichandeh, Aoun lost 2-0, which pushed her into the bronze medal match. There, she went up against Canada’s Skylar Park but fell short with another 2-0 loss.
Read Also: Meet The 10 Lebanese Athletes Competing At The 2024 Olympics in Paris
Despite the setbacks, Aoun’s 5th place finish is a massive accomplishment, especially for a first-time Olympian. At just 23 years old, she’s already ranked among the world’s top athletes in her weight class. Adding to the honor, she was Lebanon’s flagbearer during the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, a role that reflects her status as one of the country’s most promising athletes.
Aoun’s journey to the Olympics wasn’t straightforward. She narrowly missed out on a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Games after losing her final qualifying match. That loss hit her hard, and she even considered stepping away from the sport. “I was so sad, I wanted to stop,” Aoun recalled.
But instead of giving up, she used that experience as motivation to improve. “2021, 2022, 2023 were the best taekwondo years of my life,” she said, noting that the journey helped shape her both as an athlete and as a person.
Over the past few years, Aoun has dedicated herself to refining her skills and growing her international experience. Competing in various tournaments, she’s climbed the ranks and established herself as a serious contender on the global stage.
Now, with her first Olympic appearance under her belt and a top-five finish to her name, Aoun is more determined than ever. Her story is a testament to perseverance, proving that setbacks can be the foundation for future success. Whether or not she brings home a medal next time, Aoun has already earned her place among Lebanon’s top athletes.
