London's Lutalo Muhammad is through to the taekwondo quarter-finals

East Londoner through following 7-1 win against Negmatov

Walthamstow’s Lutalo Muhammad earned a place in the quarter-finals of the -80kg taekwondo competition at the ExCel this morning.

In a cagey opening round between the Briton and Tajikstan opponent Farkhod Negmatov, it was Muhammad who was the more attacking fighter, but the score remained 0-0 heading into the second round.

The second three-minute round followed in a similar manner, as Negmatov’s defence continued to frustrate Muhammad.

However, the contest came to life in the third and final round, as the 21-year-old east Londoner landed a head kick, to take a 3-0 lead with 45 seconds remaining.

Negmatov then landed a body kick, but then Muhammad landed another chop-kick to the head to secure a 7-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals this afternoon.

“I left it late, but I am just glad to have gotten through,” said Muhammad.

“It all came together in the end and I am though to the quarter-finals.

“The atmosphere here is fantastic, I feel a lot better now the first fight is out of the way.

“This is just like any other tournament for me and I am glad to be in the quarter-final.

“I got a wonderful reception, I am east London born and bred and I want to give the crowd a gold medal.”