China's Taekwondo coach slams Zheng Shuyin's 'bizarre' defeat

World
Europe

China's Taekwondo head coach Guan Jianmin has lambasted Bianca Walkden's controversial victory over the Olympic champion Zheng Shuyin at the World Taekwondo Championships on Friday.

Guan, who is also president of the Chinese Taekwondo Federation, has dubbed it "a big scandal in the sport's history."

China's Zheng Shuyin cries after she was disqualified at the World Taekwondo Championships women's 73kg final in Manchester, England, May 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

Earlier, Zheng, who had defeated Walkden three times in a row before Friday's fight, took an easy lead of 20-10 in the closing stages of the women's over 73kg category final.

However, the referee disqualified Zheng alleging that she had committed 10 fouls during the bout and as a result of that "bizarre" punitive declaration that Walkden secured her third successive world taekwondo title.

Taking a direct dig at the result, Guan remarked, "I cannot believe this could happen during the world championships. This is the first time I have seen such kind of thing."

China's Zheng Shuyin (L) breaks down as British Bianca Walkden (R) receives her gold medal after women's 73kg final at the World Taekwondo Championships in Manchester, England, May 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

Guan also informed that the Chinese team will launch an appeal to the World Taekwondo, the sport's world governing body, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Calling the "scandal is serious damage to the sport," he said, "we will definitely appeal to the decision."

Earlier, after her catastrophic defeat, a crestfallen Zheng commented, "From the first day I practiced Taekwondo, I knew the sport is competitive and there is no absolute fairness."

"But for the first time in my 16 years of career, I know you can win a match like this. Please, referee, stick to basic fairness. I heard the ovation from the audience. And I know that all the audience can make their judgment and know who is the real champion."