Olympics Rio 2016: Muhammad guarantees gold or silver in -80kg taekwondo event
:focal(167x134:169x132)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/04/12/3041129-62378324-310-310.png)
Updated 19/08/2016 at 20:39 GMT
Team GB’s Lutalo Muhammad is through to the final of the men’s -80kg event to set up a possible second taekwondo gold for Great Britain at the Rio games.
Lutalo Muhammad (GBR) of Great Britain celebrates winning the match.
Image credit: Reuters
The final takes place at 02:15 BST on Saturday.
The bronze medallist from London 2012 beat Milad Beigi Harchegani of Azerbaijan on Friday.
After a slow start, Muhammad scored early in the second round with a kick to the body, and landed a head shot shortly after to take a decent 5-1 lead.
Harchengani narrowed the gap in the final round, but with just seconds to go, there was a flurry of shots by the Brit who won 12-7.
Earlier in the day he despatched the USA's Steven Lopez from his fifth Olympic Games in the quarter-finals with a 9-2 victory, having already beaten Australia's Hayder Shkara 14-0 in the round of 16.
However, Muhammad’s former compatriot Aaron Cook failed to reach the quarter-final stage after a surprise defeat to Wei-Ting Liu of China.
Cook was controversially overlooked for London 2012 selection despite being world number one, with Muhammad taking his place.
Disappointed with the decision, Cook has subsequently switched allegiance to Moldova, but the former British athlete can only claim bronze if he makes it through the repechage.
"I'm devastated," said Cook. "I made the switch from GB after the devastation of missing London 2012 and not feeling I had a way back. Moldova gave me a chance and had such high hopes.
"Why did I have a day like that at the Olympics?! I wanted to put on a show for those who have supported me and win that gold medal, but I just feel I've let everyone down."
Scan me
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement