Taekwondo chiefs set to ring the changes after Bejing debacle

Posted: Wednesday 10th September 2008 | 18:29

TAEKWONDO'S world governing body has vowed to make sweeping changes after the judging controversy that left Sarah Stevenson devastated.

Stevenson lost to China's double Olympic champion Chen Zhong in the quarter-finals, only for that decision to be reversed on appeal after clear evidence of suspect judging.

She was then given just ten minutes to prepare for a semi-final with Mexico's Maria del Rosario Espinoza and admitted she wasn¹t surprised to lose.

She later gathered her composure to win bronze beating Egypt's Noha Abd Rabo but the whole day left her with mixed feelings and her sport¹s reputation in tatters.

"We will be making changes to our sport to ensure no more athletes, like Sarah, are unfairly judged," said Yang Jin Suk, Secretary General of the World Taekwondo Federation.

"We must learn the lessons from this unfortunate incident and apologise.

This is only our third Olympics, we¹re a baby as a sport and these are just growing pains.

"This was the first time in the history of Olympic taekwondo that a decision has been reversed and we took quick and decisive action to right the wrong."

All of which is fine sentiment but little consolation to Stevenson. Home hope Chen was the hot favourite and to beat her so well, underlined the 25 year-old¹s genuine gold medal credentials.

"I've really enjoyed the end result, but they made it tough for me," said Stevenson.

"The decision change was hard because I didn't have enough time to be 100 per cent ready for the semi-final, but I got it together for the bronze medal fight.

"It means a lot to go through all that and come away with something I've been to three Olympic Games and have one medal.

"Even though it¹s not the gold I believe I was good enough to win, I¹m really pleased with the bronze considering the way the day went.

"If I'm still around in 2012 I¹ll definitely be going for gold in London.

For the past year everything has been focused on this and I'm looking forward to enjoying this moment and then heading home to relax and go on holiday."

Stevenson even overcame injury to beat her bronze medal match rival securing Britain¹s first taekwondo medal in the process.

"It was a really tough match," she added. "I was really injured from the semi against Maria del Rosariao Espinoza, so she (Abd Rabo) really pushed me hard and she didn't give up. She's tough and she'll have her time one day."

British team leader Gary Hall praised Chinese officials and Chen for backing Stevenson's appeal, after being shown irrefutable evidence that a crucial scoring point hadn¹t been counted.

"It was sportsman like conduct to overturn it and do justice," he said.

"I have to take my hat off to her (Chen). She is twice Olympic champion, and yet she gave it up like that. She felt the kick in her face. It was clear and non-debatable."

JAMES TONEY in Beijing