Mexico wins its first gold medal at Beijing Games

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BEIJING — Guillermo Perez became Mexico’s second medalist, and first gold medalist, of the 2008 Summer Games with a victory in the 58-kilogram taekwondo competition.

It was a historic night as Afghanistan won its first Olympic medal ever, with a third place for Rohulla Nikpai.

Perez defeated Dominica’s Yulis Gabriel Mercedes for the gold medal. It was Mexico’s second gold medal in the last five Olympics, the other going to women’s weightlifter Soraya Jiminez in 2000.

Mexico’s flagbearer in the opening ceremony, Paolo Espinosa, and Tatiana Ortiz combined for the country’s only other medal here, a bronze in synchronized platform diving. She and Ortiz have qualified for the finals in the women’s solo platform competition.

-- Randy Harvey