With no leg to stand on, Hou settles for a silver

China's Hou Yuzhuo (left) fights against Great Britain's Jade Jones during their women's taekwondo final bout in the under 57kg category at the London Games on Thursday. Jones won the gold medal. [Photo/China Daily]

Honor belongs to she who never gives up.

Chinese female taekwondo fighter Hou Yuzhuo lived out her own motto in her Olympic debut in London, even though she lost in the final.

Hou, a two-time world champion in the 57kg category, entered the final on Thursday as the favorite.

Victory began so slip away when she suffered a knee injury early in the third round, which hampered her trademark back-kick.

The 24-year-old, who could barely stand after receiving treatment, was toothless for the rest of the round but fought until the end against Britain's Jade Jones.

The Briton took advantage of the injury, fighting more aggressively and closing out a stunning 6-4 victory for the nation's first taekwondo gold.

Hou claimed her first Olympic silver medal and a world of respect.

"I really couldn't kick with my right leg at the end," Hou said later in the mixed zone. "I almost can't life it up and could barely support my body.

"Anyway, it's just my first Olympics. I've done what I could, and I feel satisfied with the silver."

Hou beat Jones at last year's World Championships in South Korea.

The boisterous British crowd, whose members intimidated Hou by drumming the stands with their feet, also shared chants and applause for Hou during the medal ceremony at the Excel Arena.

Hou, who took up the sport at the age of 9 because she was tired of being bullied by older classmates, became the first Chinese taekwondo fighter to defend the World title last year.

She was a favorite for the gold.

"I knew the Olympics were different than the Worlds, but I didn't expect (the mental pressure) was so huge," she said.

"I didn't know what I was doing in the opening fight."

Hou managed to hold on and upset United States veteran Diana Lopez in the first match, then knocked out Suvi Mikkonen of Finland and France's Marlene Harnois to book a rematch against Jones.

Still, the anticipation and crowd at the final were overwhelming.

"I felt much more nervous than the Worlds final," the Hebei native said

Jones, 19, was impressed with Hou.

"I knew she was good at the back-kick and I prepared for it and just fought," she said. "She beat me at the Worlds and I didn't let it happen again. Anyway, she did her best and won respect as well."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn