CHIBA, Japan-- South Korea was shut out of gold medals on the first day of taekwondo competition at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.

Jang Jun, world No. 1 and heavily favored to win gold in the men's 58kg, fell to Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi of Tunisia in the semifinals, by the score of 25-19 at Makuhari Messe Hall A in Chiba, just east of Tokyo.

Jang's elimination came hours after Sim Jae-young lost to Miyu Yamada of Japan 16-7 in the quarterfinals of the women's 49kg division.

Jang will get a chance to salvage a bronze medal later Saturday.

South Korea has sent six practitioners to taekwondo at these Olympic Games, with hopes of claiming multiple gold medals.

Source: Yonhap News Agency