Heartbreaking image shows power of Olympics

ASHLEY McKenzie had nowhere to hide after suffering a painful defeat to world champion Yeldos Smetov in Rio’s judo competition.

Ashley McKenzie was overcome with emotion after losing in the judo to Yeldos Smetov.

ASHLEY McKenzie endured a heartbreaking defeat to world champion Yeldos Smetov in the second round of the men’s judo competition at the Rio Olympic Games.

The Commonwealth champion failed to claim his first Olympic medal after the Kazakh took him down for a yuko, sealing victory by one point in the -60kg category.

McKenzie, a 27-year-old Londoner, had nowhere to hide after the crushing loss, later posting an image of him crouching down behind a garbage bin as he was overcome with emotion.

Thank you all for your support.. My journey has been tough but you've all helped! Thank You pic.twitter.com/if0gGoeHKv

— Ashley McKenzie (@Ashleymckenzi12) August 6, 2016

With just 30 seconds remaining, McKenzie was unable to spare himself from elimination at the Games.

A former entrant in Celebrity Big Brother, McKenzie had made a winning start to the tournament earlier in the day by defeating Turkey’s Bekir Ozlu in his opening bout, but could not overcome world No. 4 Smetov in the next stage.

Four years ago, McKenzie had suffered an early exit at the London 2012 Games.

“I think the tears are because of my hard work over four years, putting my family through stuff,” McKenzie explained.

“Unfortunately with judo, you only get one chance.”

“I just want to thank my family and friends at all. Thanks for being there, really.”

Great Britain's Ashley McKenzie (blue) in action against Kazakhstan's Yeldos Smetov.

McKenzie’s cousin Tom Ford posted the same image as above on Facebook, and wrote: “Some sports stars in England need to take note of this photo.

“This is what it means to lose in a major competition by someone who actually dedicates themselves to their sport, someone who doesn’t get paid thousands of pounds a week by sponsors of their teams.”