Two promising South Korean judokas dropped out of the medal race Sunday at the Olympics.
Lee Eun-hee, a winner of this year's Asian Championship, lost to Askelof Sanna of Sweden in the first round of the women's under-52-kilogram division.
Bang Gui-man was defeated by a Brazilian in the men's under-66-kilogram event.
The defeat of Lee and Bang came as a surprise to South Koreans, who pinned high hopes on the judokas.
The men's judo team is thirsty for gold medals since it won nothing in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and only one medal so far in Athens. Choi Min-ho, last year's world judo champion, won a bronze medal Saturday in the men's under-60-kilogram event.