| Rank | Event | Year | Location | |
| Olympic Games | ||||
| 3 | +67kg | 2008 | Beijing, CHN | |
| 4 | -67kg | 2000 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | |
| 1st Round | +67kg | 2004 | Athens, GRE | |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | Welterweight 62-67kg | 2011 | Gyeongju, KOR | |
| 1 | Middleweight 67-72kg | 2001 | Jeju, KOR | |
| 2 | Middleweight 67-72kg | 2005 | Madrid, ESP | |
| 3rd Round | Middleweight 67-73kg | 2009 | Copenhagen, DEN | |
| European Championships | ||||
| 1 | Welterweight 62-67kg | 2010 | St. Petersburg, RUS | |
Nickname
Sven. (Athlete, 31 Jul 2008)
Hobbies
Swimming, keeping fit and reading. (NOC, 11 Aug 2000)
Family
Husband Steve Jennings.
Language(s) spoken
English
Coach
Steve Jennings [husband] (sarahstevenson.net, 14 Apr 2012)
Injuries
In 2012, she had an operation on a cruciate ligament that she injured during a training camp in Mexico. (morningstaronline.co.uk, 10 Feb 2012)
She suffered from a persistent foot injury in 2008. (bbc.co.uk, 23 Jul 2008)
Forced to withdraw from competition after fracturing her hand in the first round at the 2007 World Championships in Beijing, China. (BBC Sport, 22 May 2007)
Additional information
Start of sporting career
She took up taekwondo at the age of seven at a local club in Doncaster, England. (ft.com, 14 Apr 2012)
Reason for taking up this sport
"I was shy and quiet at the time and found it hard, but the sport gave me tons of confidence and built me up. By the time I was in my mid-teens, I absolutely loved it. I wouldn't be half the person I am if I hadn't done the sport. It's made me strong." (ft.com, 14 Apr 2012)
Ambitions
To win a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London in honour of her parents, who died in 2011. (morningstaronline.co.uk, 10 Feb 2012)
Most memorable sporting achievement
Winning a gold medal at the 2011 World Taekwondo Championships in Gyeongju, South Korea. (telegraph.co.uk, 30 Dec 2011)
Hero
Her parents and Great Britain athletes Kelly Holmes and Paula Radcliffe. (telegraph.co.uk,18 Feb 2008, Athlete, 31 Jul 2008)
Most influential person in career
Her parents. (ft.com, 14 Apr 2012)
Superstitions / Rituals
Before any international competition she always buys a new pair of socks. (BOA, 26 Apr 2004)
Sporting philosophy / motto
She has a tattoo on her wrist that says "because of you," dedicated to the memory of her parents. (ft.com, 14 Apr 2012)
Awards
In March 2012 she was awarded an MBE for her sporting achievements. (sarahstevenson.net, 21 Mar 2012)
General
INSPIRATION
She has recently set up the 'Sarah Stevenson Inspires' organisation which aims to train and educate young people who are interested in the sport of taekwondo. (sarahstevensoninspires.co.uk, 27 Apr 2012)
IN MEMORY OF HER MOTHER AND FATHER
After losing her father to a brain tumour and her mother to cancer in 2011, she is approaching the 2012 Olympics with a 'go for it' attitude and is hoping to win a medal in dedication to her mother and father. "Nothing else matters now but getting fit and doing myself, mum, dad and Steve [husband] proud in the games," she said. "I know I can do it if I work hard." (bbc.co.uk, 17 Apr 2012, sarahstevenson.net, 14 Apr 2012)
DOUBTS
She considered retiring from the sport in 2003 after suffering a dip in motivation and a serious knee injury, but was talked around by a friend who told her to focus on the goal of reaching the Olympic Games. (BBC Sport, 28 May 2004)
JACKIE CHAN
Just before heading to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, martial arts film star Jackie Chan read about her financial struggles in a newspaper and pledged to help her. Some proceeds from his film Shanghai Noon went towards her Olympic funding. (worldsport.com 04 Sep 2000, times-olympics.co.uk, 29 Sep 2000)
Previous Olympics
Beijing 2008, Athens 2004, Sydney 2000
