Si Hui takes silver in women's -67kg

Si Hui (R)

(BEIJING, Feb. 28) -- Si Hui of China lost 0-1 to Karine Sergerie of Canada in the final of the women's -67kg category competition Thursday night at the "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 Taekwondo International Invitational Tournament. The tournament is being held at the University of Science and Technology Beijing Gymnasium.

As the only Chinese contender in the evening's competition, all eyes were on Si. Among the audience members cheering for her were the defending Olympic champ, Dong Zhong, and Wu Jingyu, who has already earned a spot at the Olympics.

At the start of round one, the two athletes were trying to feel each other out, both reluctant to make any moves. For this, the referee gave both women a warning. Shortly after, Sergerie made the first attack with a straight kick to Si's chest for a 1-0 lead.

In the remainder of that round and for the next two rounds, Si tried to wait for the right window of opportunity to attack, but the match ended with the score remaining 1-0 in Sergerie's favor.

Si settled for the silver medal.

Afterward, Si expressed dissatisfaction with her performance. "Actually my mental state is OK, but in the last moment I didn't control the contest format very well and did not show my best," she was quoted as saying.