Yang Shu-chun of Taiwan cries after match officials decide her footguards carried unauthorized extra electronic sensors behind the heel

As Taiwan’s public has put their hopes on Taiwan taekwondo competitor Yang Shu-chun, the government is asking event authorities in China to dig deeper into her disqualification on Wednesday over unauthorized footgear.

“Taiwan’s public cannot accept this,” presidential office spokesman Lo Chih-chiang said. “The president is asking the cabinet and the sports commission to stick up for her rights. We hope they can re-evaluate the case and offer better reasoning.”

Ma’s demand follows angry protests from Taiwan’s team officials and a sit-down protest by the tearful Yang, who refused to leave the arena.

Yang had almost defeated Vietnamese Vu Thi Hau in a women’s 49-kg category when match officials halted the bout a few seconds from the end after deciding her footguards carried unauthorized extra electronic sensors behind the heel.

Competitors must wear protective gear and gain points by attacking the body and face or knocking down one another, with the sensors helping ascertain the successful scoring of points.

But the World Taekwondo Federation is considering whether to impose sanctions on the Olympic semifinalist and her coach.

“Is this fair? No. Is this acceptable? No,” said Yang Jin Suk, federation secretary general. “It is purely manipulating of behavior, intentional of cheating. That’s why the individual was disqualified.”

Taiwan team officials said the equipment had been previously green-lighted for the bout. Yang Shu-chun, red-eyed and sleepless, said little on Thursday, but some of her outraged fans were more vocal.

“Yang (Shu-chun) was our medal hope. It’s so unfair!” said Wu Mei-yueh, 32, a Taiwanese accountant in Guangzhou for the Games.

Source: Reuters