What an amazing day! To have been at the ExCeL Centre and to have seen all of Jade Jones’ matches was just out of this world. Jade’s performances in the first two matches were devastating with victories over Dragana Gladovic of Serbia 15-1 and then in the Quarter Final over Mayu Hamada of Japan 13-3. However she then faced the World Number One, Li-Cheng Tseng of Chinese Taipei in the Semi Final coming out the victor with a 10-6 points win, a great result setting Jade up for a final against the World Number Two and reigning World Champion, Yuzhuo Hou of China.
The atmosphere for all of Jade’s matches was incredible but even more so for the final. The crowd were behind her all the way as powered to a 6-4 victory and the OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL! GB’s first ever Gold Medal in Taekwondo at an Olympics. Having the privilege to watch this live was so inspiring.
Team GB very nearly ended the day with two medals. Martin Stamper fought through to the Semi Final to lose to the eventual Gold Medal Winner and World Number One, Servet Tazegul of Turkey. Unfortunately Martin then narrowly lost out in the Bronze Medal Play Off.
I know that quite a number of the club were at the ExCeL Centre today. I hope you all found it as inspiring as I did and if so I look forward to see you at the Sport Classes soon!
Good luck to Lutalo and Sarah for their matches on Friday.
– Gerry