2012 London Olympics – TaeKwonDo: Thailand’s best bet for gold, Pen-ek Karaket 3-point kick to the head in the last second is nullified, misses out on Bronze.

LONDON : Taekwondo fighter Pen-ek Karaket may retire after his unsuccessful campaign at the 2012 Olympics.

Seen as one of Thailand’s best gold medal hopes, Pen-ek lost in his first bout in the men’s 58kg.

He was leading Lee Dae-Hoon in the third round when the South Korean scored an equaliser to force a sudden death session and went on to beat the Thai.

Olympic debutant Pen-ek got another chance to win bronze through repechage when Lee reached the final.

In the repechage semi-finals, Pen-ek defeated Tamer Bayoumi of Egypt 6-4.

In one of the two bronze medal matches, Pen-ek lost 6-4 to Oscar Munoz Oviedo who successfully challenged a last second three-point kick by Pen-ek. The 3-point kick would have resulted in a 7-6 victory for Pen-ek and a bronze medal.

“I tried as hard as I could but that was still not enough,” said Pen-ek.

“I may quit the sport. I don’t know if I will have another chance to compete in the Olympics or not.”

The Taekwondo Association of Thailand said it would hire Pen-ek as coach if he retires.

via Pen-ek ponders retirement | Bangkok Post: news.