Afghanistan competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012. Six Afghan athletes were selected for the Games, competing in four different sporting events. Rohullah Nikpai, who won Afghanistan's first ever Olympic medal at the 2008 Games, managed to repeat his bronze medal in the men's 68 kg taekwondo event for the second time.

Medalists

The following Afghan competitors won medals at the Games. In the 'by discipline' sections below, medallists' names are in bold.

Medal Name Sport Event Date Taekwondo Men's 68 kg 9 August

Athletics

Afghanistan has selected two athletes by wildcard. Both athletes competed in the 100 m sprint and did not qualify to the quarterfinals. Tahmina Kohistani might have been the slowest runner in the women's 100m, however; taking part at the Olympics was considered a triumph due to the pressures against women in sport.To Tahmina, just taking part in the Olympics was her triumph Kohistani wishes that her performance would inspire other Afghan women to enter sports.

Track & road events Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Massoud Azizi Men's 100 m 11.19 6 did not advance Tahmina Kohistani Women's 100 m 14.42 9 did not advance

Boxing

Afghanistan was given a tripartite invitation to compete in boxing.AIBA Tripartite Selection Despite losing in the first round, boxer Ajmal Faisal enjoyed the Olympic experience, stating that there is a lack of boxing facilities and opposition by the Taliban and other political groups towards boxing. He also credited AIBA for providing a training camp for him and other fighters in order to "compete and last for three rounds against tougher opponents."

Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinal Semifinal Final OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult Rank Ajmal Faisal Men's flyweight L 9–22 did not advance

Judo

Afghanistan's Ajmal Faizzada was given an invitation to compete in judo and competed in the -66 kg weight class.IntJudo – Invited Country to take part at the London Games He lost to Hungary's Miklós Ungvári in the first round match by harai makikomi.

Athlete Event Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Final / OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult Rank Ajmal Faizzada Men's −66 kg L 0000–0100 did not advance

Taekwondo

Afghanistan qualified two male athletes through their performance at the 2011 Asian Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament. 2008 Olympic and 2011 World bronze medalist Rohullah Nikpai competed in the -68 kg category and 2010 Asian Games silver medalist Nesar Ahmad Bahave competed in the -80 kg category. Rohullah Nikpai managed repeat his performance from Beijing four years ago in a heavier weight category by winning the bronze medal after defeating Great Britain's Martin Stamper. Nesar Ahmad Bahave also advanced to the bronze medal match; however, having severe injuries throughout the entire competition, he was unable to defeat Italy's Mauro Sarmiento, and was taken to the hospital shortly after the match. Despite his defeat, Bahave earned much respect from his people in Afghanistan.

Athlete Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Bronze Medal Final OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult OppositionResult Rank Rohullah Nikpai Men's −68 kg W 12–5 L 4–5 Did not advance W 14–2 W 5–3 Did not advance Nesar Ahmad Bahave Men's −80 kg W 4–3 L 1–9 Did not advance W 11–6 L 0–4 Did not advance 5

References

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