Britain's taekwondo star Sarah Stevenson has clinched the bronze after initial heartbreak in a rollercoaster journey in Beijing.

The martial artist won the +67kg bronze after vanquishing Egyptian opponent Noha Abd Rabo, but only after being granted a dramatic second chance to go for gold earlier in the day.

Stevenson, 25, from Doncaster, was awarded victory in the quarter-final after Olympic officials sensationally reversed a controversial judging decision.

She had been left in tears after losing to Chen Zhong of China despite landing the winning strike.

Stevenson appeared to snatch victory in the dying moments with a heel kick to the jaw that snapped Zhong's head back, but the judges failed to award her the two points.

A protest from the British Olympic delegation followed and Games officials finally awarded her victory - but the controversy left little time to prepare mentally for the next bout.

She then lost her semi-final bout to Maria del Rosario Espinoza of Mexico minutes after being given a dramatic second chance of a place in the finals.

Speaking after the defeat to Espinoza, Stevenson said: "I didn't expect to fight. My mind wasn't ready. My body wasn't ready.

"I've beaten that girl four times and I just wasn't ready."

But she regained her composure to claim the bronze, overwhelming her opponent with an aggressive performance that reflected the fact she had a point to prove.

The drama came after Team GB was pushed into fourth place in the medal table by Russia.

Kayaker Tim Brabants began the penultimate day of the Games on a high note when he bagged a bronze medal in the K1 500m final.

Among those aiming to add to Great Britain's 18 golds later are sprinter Christine Ohuruogu and boxer James DeGale.

Middleweight DeGale is already guaranteed a silver ahead of his final bout but faces favourite Emilio Correa, from Cuba, in the final.

Ohuruogu is going for her second medal of the Games as part of the women's 4x400m relay team.

The men's team go through to their final in style, with final baton carrier Martyn Rooney even finding time for a little showboating.

And 14-year-old diving sensation Tom Daley, from Plymouth, qualified for his first individual Olympic final by winning a place in the men's 10m platform event

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