This is what Bianca Walkden said about her Gold medal against the Chinese Zheng
'I wouldn't change it for the world': Bianca Walkden wins third world taekwondo title after opponent is disqualified
Bianca Walkden insisted she had no regrets after winning her third consecutive world taekwondo title in highly controversial fashion in Manchester.
The Liverpool 27-year-old took gold after her Chinese opponent Zheng Shuyin was disqualified midway through the final round for repeated infringements - despite holding a 10-point lead at the time.
While the Chinese athlete - who had beaten Walkden in the semi-finals of the Rio Olympics - collapsed in the centre of the mat in frustration, Walkden celebrated amid a chorus of boos.
The booing reached a crescendo during the subsequent medal ceremony, during which Zheng once again slumped to her knees, but Walkden was unrepentant over her tactics.
A clearly emotional Walkden said: "I went out there needing to find a different way to win and a win is a win if you disqualify someone - it's not my fault.
"People can have their opinions but I'm standing here as world champion. I wouldn't change it for the world - I would go out and do exactly the same thing again."
Walkden held a slender two-point lead after a cagey opening round but Zheng's relentless accuracy gave her a seemingly unassailable 10-point advantage after round two.
But Walkden's tactics, which predominantly involved forcing Zheng out of the ring to rack up the penalty points - ultimately paid off in dramatic if somewhat unsatisfactory fashion.
Bradley Sinden followed the drama by taking gold and becoming Great Britain's first ever male taekwondo world champion.
.jpg)
0 comments: