World #1 not selected for British TKD team

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/taekwondo/story/2012-06-07/aaron-cook-fights-british-taekwondo-decision/55447914/1

It seems that the world number one at 80kg wasn’t selected for the British TKD team, being passed over for some guy who isn’t even in the top 100.

I haven’t seen it stated in any of of the news reports, but reading about in comment sections it seems that it’s because the selection panel just don’t like him - his stats are much better than the other guy no matter which way you look at it.

He had been training with the official team for a while, but wasn’t doing great as their training methods weren’t working for him. He decided to strike out on his own, got sponsorship and started training with his dad. Success soon flowed, making his former instructors look bad, and now they’re getting back at him.

At least that’s the story his supporters are telling in the comments sections. Does anyone know more about this?

Another thing that struck me as unacceptable is that apparently after he appealed the decision, the appeals panel were the same people that initially rejected him. How the hell can they get away with that? Would it happen in any of the other sports?

Wow, if that’s true its pretty bad.

[QUOTE=CrackFox;2695664]I haven’t seen it stated in any of of the news reports, but reading about in comment sections it seems that it’s because the selection panel just don’t like him - his stats are much better than the other guy no matter which way you look at it.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like typical TKD politics to me.

The British Olympic Council, the Minister for Sport, and the World Taekwondo Federation (among others) are all asking questions, so I think he could get on yet.

I’m not sure if the time for his appeal is over yet, but he only had 24 hours notice for it.

[QUOTE=slamdunc;2695667]Sounds like typical TKD politics to me.[/QUOTE]

Maybe, but in this case the guy they’re fucking over seems to have very clear evidence that he is being fucked over. I’m not sure where they thing they can go with this once the dust settles.

On paper he looks like an extremely strong chance for a gold medal, bitches love gold medals, and they make a huge difference to their funding. They’re all going to have to take a massive pay cut when the other guy wipes out.

Read this article from the Beeb - it’s hilarious.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18365361

So one of the guys from GB TKD says that if his group had been dishonest then he’d be speaking out against himself and he’s not speaking out against himself, so everything must be above board.

We all agreed that if world ranking and success in tournaments were the only selection criteria, then Aaron would be selected as he’s an outstanding athlete who could get gold at the Olympics.

Hmmm, while I agree that ranks etc shouldn’t be the only selection criteria, you’d better have a very good reason to not select the world number one. So far they haven’t given a reason, beyond that “Lutalo is improving at a rate of knots and has potential which hasn’t been tapped”. It would have to be one hell of an improvement.

If you can’t compete your way onto the national team, then it’s not a combat sport

British officials had argued Muhammad was a better choice because he’s slightly taller than Cook and therefore more capable of landing head kicks, which score the most points in taekwondo. Remarck dismissed the argument. He said Cook consistently attacks with head kicks and has beaten the best fighters in the world with his strategy.
Wow, if true this is very stupid. He is lower ranked, just started training, he is SLIGHTLY taller, can POTENTIALLY kick higher and is heavier?
That’s a damn stupid reason for a choice.
He might land more higher point head kicks.

[QUOTE=It is Fake;2695685]

British officials had argued Muhammad was a better choice because he’s slightly taller than Cook and therefore more capable of landing head kicks, which score the most points in taekwondo. Remarck dismissed the argument. He said Cook consistently attacks with head kicks and has beaten the best fighters in the world with his strategy.

Wow, if true this is very stupid. He is lower ranked, just started training, he is SLIGHTLY taller, can POTENTIALLY kick higher and is heavier?
That’s a damn stupid reason for a choice.
He might land more higher point head kicks.[/QUOTE]

OMG that’s priceless. I missed that quote, as I heard about this on the TV news, and just posted the first article that came up when I searched.

One guy has a slight physical advantage that could potentially be used to score more head-shots, another guy has a far superior track record of winning high level competitions. Such a tough choice.

[QUOTE=Matt Phillips;2695682]If you can’t compete your way onto the national team, then it’s not a combat sport[/QUOTE]The BJA does it this way as well. The bureaucracy picks the competitors based on whose style they like.

Did you read the alleged competition record?

I know, after a year in training, this guy might be really good. I know anyone has a punchers( kickers) chance, but you normally take your best or have trials to see who is the best.

Still:

Cook has defeated 10 of the 15 fighters, who will be competing in his weight division at the London Games. Muhammad has beaten one.

[quote][/quote]

Yes I’ve seen the records. I was being sarcastic when I said that it was a tough choice.

Oh I know you were being sarcastic.

Apparently its a little more complicated than is being made out.

Taekwondo is only allowed 4 fighters at the 2012 games and are allowed to nominate their weight categories they announced that they would be womens -57 and -67 and mens -68 and -80. At -80 the two rivals are obviously Cook and Muhammad. They have fought twice and are 1-1.

Both fighters entered the European Championships - Cook at -80 but Muhammad was force up to the -87 as GB can only enter one per division. BBC fail to mention that Muhammad then won Gold at the higher weight category. There is no under 87 weight category at the Olympics it is simply over 80. The world rankings are therefore also a bit confusing as there are two, one is for the WTF under their normal weights and then there are the Olympic rankings which are combined weight groups rankings - i.e. one is -80 and -74 some of the points go back to the events from 2010.

So the decision comes down to two fighters at -80 Cook or Muhammad - they are both European Champions and are 1-1 however obviously Cook is higher ranked in the World

http://judoforum.com/index.php?/topic/60578-london-2012-uk-taekwondo-selection/

So Muhammed is not just anyone. Still clear that Cook should have been chosen, but looks like GB TKD are laying the smackdown on him for having the temerity to go outside the official programme.

[QUOTE=PointyShinyBurn;2695689]The BJA does it this way as well. The bureaucracy picks the competitors based on whose style they like.[/QUOTE]
Not sure ‘style’ has anything to do with it. Who your coaches are and how much brown nosing you’ve done definitely plays a part.

The selection of Fletcher is crazy though.