Olympics Rio 2016: Lutalo Muhammad loses gold in final second

The clock stopped at 0:01 with Muhammad having the seemingly simple task of avoiding danger for a solitary second.

But his opponent went for broke and landed a spectacular reverse turning kick to his rival's head to clinch an 8-6 win.

The victory gave Ivory Coast its first ever gold medal in Olympic history and the country's second overall medal at the Rio Games, following a bronze for compatriot Ruth Gbagbi in an earlier fight on Friday in the women's under 67 kg category.

The African country has only won one other Olympic medal ever, a silver in the men's 400 metres race in 1984.

An emotional Muhammad, who won bronze at London 2012, called the kick "a horrible moment".

"I came within inches of achieving what has been a life goal for me," he said. "I was very sad."