After a glittering career spanning over a decade, Sarah Stevenson, the two-time taekwondo world champion, announced her retirement in 2013. Her decision brought an end to a remarkable journey that included four gold medals at the European Championships and a pioneering Olympic bronze medal for Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Stevenson’s career was not without its controversies. In Beijing, she appealed against a contentious ruling in her quarter-final loss to China’s Chen Zhong, and her successful appeal paved her way to the semi-finals, ultimately securing her a bronze medal.
Beyond her Olympic success, Stevenson’s first world title in taekwondo came in 2001. A decade later, she stood on the podium once again, overcoming emotional turmoil as both her parents lay critically ill. Despite a devastating knee injury that same year, she made a remarkable recovery to compete in her fourth Olympics at London 2012.
However, after failing to advance beyond the first round in London and having not competed since, Stevenson decided to hang up her sparring gear and pursue a role as a high-performance coach with GB Taekwondo. At the time of her retirement, the 30-year-old reflected on her journey with contentment and a sense of accomplishment.
“It’s been a tough decision, but I think I’m ready to step away from the sport and just see how I feel,” Stevenson said. “I don’t want to compete if my heart’s not in it anymore, and I have no regrets.”
