Jade Jones claimed Great Britain's first ever taekwondo gold medal in the -57kg women's event as she won four matches on her way to earning Team GB's 25<sup>th gold medal of the London 2012 Olympics.

The 19-year-old from Wales defeated China's Hou Yozhuo 6-3 in the final in front of the jubilant Excel Centre crowd.

Jones was always in command as she moved into a four point lead and she never gave her opponent a chance as she controlled the late stages to spark scenes of wild celebrations.

Jade Jones
Jones becomes the first ever British taekwondo gold medalist.

"I still doesn't feel real, it feels crazy. I've dreamt about this for ages, and the crowd have just been amazing. This can't be beaten," said Jones.

"My coach is a legend and without him a I wouldn't have been anywhere near where I was today. When I came out I just wanted to go on and win.

"To be the first ever British taekwondo athlete to win Olympic gold is amazing. To win Olympic gold is special, but to perform in front of all my friends and family is just amazing."

Jade Jones
Jade Jones wins Team GB's 25th gold medal of the London Olympics [Reuters]

Earlier in the day Jones had defeated Dragana Gladovic of Serbia 15-1, Mayu Hamada of China and then Li-Cheng Tseng of Chinese Taipei to move into the gold medal match.

While there was success for Jones, there was disappointment for Martin Stamper who missed out on wining a bronze medal after he was narrowly defeated by Rohullah Nikpah of Afghanistan 5-3.

The Liverpudlian believed he had done enough in the dying seconds when he attempted a kick to the head that he believed had connected. After a video review had been called for, it was clear the kick narrowly missed and with it his chance of a medal.

Stamper had earlier lost in the semi-final 9-6 to Turkish world champion Tazegul Servet after quickly going 5-0 behind after receiving a kick to the head.

The Brit replied by cutting the deficit to 6-4, but he couldn't close the Turk down, as Servat secured a head-shot to reach the final, leaving Stamper with a chance to fight for bronze, which he sadly missed out on.

But ahead of Lutalo Muhammad and Sarah Stevenson's bow at London 2012, British taekwondo has claimed its first medal after the 19 year old Jones, who had earlier defeated Japan's Mayu Hamada 13-3 to stroll into the final,

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