British Taekwondo reveal 2012 Olympic weight divisions
World champion Sarah Stevenson has had her -67kg weight division nominated for the London Olympics.
British Taekwondo had to name four categories by the end of May and have also selected the women’s -57kg as well as the men’s -68kg and -80kg classes.
“It was a very difficult decision to reach,” said taekwondo performance director Gary Hall.
“We’d love to be able to select more GB athletes, giving us eight medal chances, but we only have four spots.”
Earlier this month Great Britain returned from their most successful World Championships of all time. In addition to Stevenson’s gold, Jade Jones (-57kg) and Michael Harvey (-62kg) both secured silver medals in Korea and Martin Stamper (-68kg) earned a bronze.
“The confirmation of the weight categories brings clarity to the athletes and allows them to focus on a tangible goal,” said Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt.
“This announcement allows GB Taekwondo to build on their fantastic performances at the World Championships this month.”
The news will come as a particular relief to 2010 European Champion Aaron Cook. The 20-year-old entered the Worlds ranked at the top of the -80kg global standings, but suffered an embarassing opening round defeat to the little-known American Luke Ford. However, his success prior to this event looks to have been enough secure his weight division selection for the 2012 Olympics.
Teenager Jones is another who is now in a prime position to push for a place in the Olympic set-up after her -57kg division was nominated. Jones, Youth Olympic champion in 2010, has excelled since stepping up to senior competition this year and proved her 2012 podium potential with a silver medal at the World Championships in Korea in early May.
“We’ve looked at performances across recent international events as well as the major championships such as the Europeans, and the recent World Championships, and have selected the weight categories that we feel give us the best chance of medal success in London next year,” said Hall.
Although the weight divisions have been named, British Taekwondo will not nominate the athletes who will compete at the 2012 Games until May next year, shortly after the European Taekwondo Championships in Manchester.
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