Truesdale wins bronze for ParalympicsGB's second taekwondo medal

Amy Truesdale won ParalympicsGB’s second taekwondo medal in two days with K44 +58kg bronze in Tokyo.

The 32-year-old added to yesterday’s performance from Beth Munro, who became Britain’s first medallist in a sport which is making its Paralympics debut in Japan.

Truesdale went down 60-14 to fifth seed Guljonoy Naimova of Uzbekistan in the semi-finals having earlier beaten Rajae Akermach in her first contest of the day.

But she picked herself up following the semi-final setback and beat Iranian Rayeheh Shahab 41-31 to take her place on the podium and continue an historic week of taekwondo for ParalympicsGB.

“I am obviously disappointed with the result, but I am delighted I got a bronze medal,” said Truesdale.

“I think it is amazing for the sport in our country so I’m still very pleased with the bronze medal.

“I have beat Naimova many times before, it was just one of those things.

“I allowed her to take more shots on me and just didn’t push through it unfortunately.

“I have the technical and tactical ability, but just didn’t use it on that match.

“I am still pleased. Going back with a bronze medal will create more opportunities for other athletes.

“It has been an amazing experience. It is the biggest competition I will ever do in my life, so I am glad to be a part of it and have secured a medal.”

Joseph Lane was also in action for ParalympicsGB in the men’s K44 +75kg competition.

Despite a brave effort, the London-born fighter suffered defeat in the round of 16 against Russian Paralympic Committee’s Zainutdin Ataev, going down 36-5.

That sent him into the repechage quarter-final where his maiden Paralympic experience came to an end with defeat to Libya’s Mohamed Abidar.

After earning a late call-up as a replacement for the injured Matt Bush, Lane knows he’ll be better for the Paralympic experience.

“I found out the day before we flew out that I was going to be competing. I was in Sainsbury’s and got the call telling me my flight was booked,” he explained.

“It’s been a really good experience, one of the best of my life.

“I was deeply saddened that my teammate Matt wasn’t able to compete.

“I’m pretty upset that I couldn’t bring home the medal for him. We started the journey together and we’ve grown together.

“It was both of our hard work put in to get here. He was the one who qualified, but was gutted for me missing out first time around.

“I’d like to say a big thanks to Matt for all his support and believing in me. I wish him well in his recovery.”