South Korean taekwondo star Lee Dae-hoon has explained why he did not celebrate after winning his third Asian Games gold ©Getty Images

South Korean taekwondo star Lee Dae-hoon has explained why he did not celebrate after winning his third Asian Games gold medal.

The 26-year-old clinched the 68 kilograms title at Jakarta Palembang 2018 by defeating Iran's Amirmohammad Bakhshikalhori in the final.

Lee, a double Olympic medallist and triple world champion, also won Asian Games gold at Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014.

He said he wanted to show the 19-year-old Iranian respect after his win at the Jakarta Convention Center in the Indonesian capital.

"It was really a difficult bout," Lee said to Yonhap. 

"I also have memories of defeat, and when I saw the Iranian fighter looking very disappointed, I just decided not to celebrate."

Amirmohammad Bakhshikalhori looked despondent after his final defeat ©Getty Images
Amirmohammad Bakhshikalhori looked despondent after his final defeat ©Getty Images

Lee is no stranger to acts of sportsmanship.

After being beaten in the Rio 2016 Olympic quarter finals to Jordan's eventual champion Ahmad Abughaush, he raised his opponent's hand before recovering to win bronze.

He is the first taekwondo athlete to win three consecutive Asian Games gold medals.

"It's a big honour for me," he said. 

"I can't believe that I have won three straight gold medals at the Asian Games."