Rio Olympics 2016: Lutalo Muhammad’s heart broken by dramatic last-second head kick in taekwondo final
Brit brilliant but Ivorian rival Cheick Sallah Cisse produces a stunning late effort to nab gold
LUTALO MUHAMMAD suffered the "lowest moment" of his life after a dramatic last-second head kick robbed him of Olympic gold.
The Brit was leading Cheick Sallah Cisse 6-4 in the final stages of their final until the Ivorian broke through his defences with a stunning reverse to make it 8-6.
Tearful Muhammad said: "I'm devastated, this is the lowest moment of my life. I'm so distraught.
"I was so close to becoming Olympic champion and making my dream.
"I don't want to cry but I am so sorry to the people that stayed up to watch. I let them down at the last second. This is so hard.
"I was so close to being Olympic champion. The emotions are so raw. It's hard to say how disappointed I am. It should have been gold. I am so upset I can't speak clearly.
"I am absolutely gutted to blow it like that. I'll have to wait four years for another chance."
Four years ago Muhammad was being sent hate mail.
The 25-year-old got abuse after being chosen to represent Team GB at London 2012 ahead of the then world No1 Aaron Cook.
But he won over the hearts of the nation in the early hours of this morning despite his cruel defeat.
Bitter Cook, who switched allegiance to Moldova last year, was nowhere to be seen after the second seed bombed out in yesterday’s first round. Following that 2012 selection row, Muhammad bagged a bronze at his home Games.
Related Stories
But he immediately set his stall out to go even better in Rio to end any debate once and for all.
And that is what he has now done with silver, even if he had hoped to battle his ex-British rival Cook in the final.
Muhammad added: “It is an incredible feeling making a final. This has been the goal for the past 16 years.
“Obviously fighting Aaron was something that would have been good — but that fight will have to wait for another time.”
Muhammad’s Rio final in the 80kg came after Jade Jones won gold for a second straight time in the women’s 57kg.