Lutalo Muhammad still going for gold despite Rio Olympics heartbreak
By Dev Trehan
Last Updated: 10/01/17 7:58pm
Lutalo Muhammad admits he still feels the pain of missing out on Olympic taekwondo gold in Rio, but says "there are no mistakes in life - only lessons".
Muhammad was leading Cheick Sallah Junior Cisse 6-4 as the buzzer was about to sound in the -80kg class final, before the Ivory Coast fighter landed a four-point head-kick in the last second of the bout to clinch an 8-6 win.
"The last few seconds were alright, it was the last second where I had the issue," Muhammad told Sky Sports News HQ.
"They actually put it down to the last 0.1 of a second when they did the statistics.
"Obviously at the time it was pretty heartbreaking. It still is now if I'm being honest, coming that close to winning Olympic gold and accomplishing my life goal. But that's life, that's sport and you have to move on.
"One thing I always say is that there are no mistakes in life - only lessons. I've definitely learnt from it and I intend to get plenty of golds between now and next time."
But Britain's most successful taekwondo fighter in history has received a timely New Year boost ahead of an expected return to action in March.
Muhammad has been shortlisted for the coveted Sportsman of the Year award at the forthcoming British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards alongside Sir Mo Farah, Olympic rowing gold medallist Mo Sbihi and England rugby flanker Maro Itoje.
"I found out a few days ago and it is super-special," Muhammad said.
"This award represents how ethnically diverse Britain is and is becoming, so to be a part of that feels amazing.
"To be on the same list as Sir Mo Farah is really an honour. To even be mentioned and just to be on the same ticket as guys like that is great for me."
