Tears of taekwondo star after gold is snatched away in the very last second
The defeat prompted an outpour- ing of emotion from Muhammad as he left the ring, breaking down in tears in front of the microphones and apologising “to the people who stayed up late to watch and cheer me on”. The interview moved many of those watching to tears. Beverley Knight, the soul singer, wrote on Twitter: “Oh Lord. Lutalo Muhammad the nation salutes you and your courage! You are so loved. Your passion is everything.” Gabby Adcock, the badminton player, said: “Really emotional interview… I feel gutted for him, but he should be very proud upon reflection.” Muhammad had overcome the opprobrium of British taekwondo fans at his selection for the 2012 London Games “I was just half a second from being Olympic champion and accomplishing my dream.
“I don’t want to cry on TV but I am so distraught, I am so sorry to the people who stayed up late to watch and cheer me on. I let them down at the last second.
“It is incredible, but I was so close to being Olympic champion. I am sorry, excuse me, I have got to hold it together but the emotions are so raw, they are just happening now. to reach this point. He received hate mail when he was selected over Aaron Cook, the world number one, but his selection was vindicated when he won bronze in the men’s 80kg category.
Cook changed nationalities to Moldovan, which he represented at Rio, coming 11th in the competition, in contrast to Muhammad’s silver.
He was coached by his father, Wayne, from the age of three, and states in his Team GB profile: “He began teaching me to give me some discipline and focus. We were watching the taekwondo at the Sydney Olympics when my dad asked me if I would like to compete; he is a professional with 40 years of experience in martial arts.
“I replied ‘yes’ and have been competing ever since. I am proud to say I owe him everything.”
After the final, Muhammad promised to be back for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
He said: “It is tough to lose in the Olympic final, especially in the last second in a match that I was winning.
“That’s life, that’s sport. I am very happy and proud to be here. I am a second-time Olympian, second-time Olympic medallist so we all know what’s next.”