Tokyo 2020: Team GB boxer Ben Whittaker 'happier' after showing disappointment with silver medal

'I woke up a bit happier today - with a silver on my neck'

Team GB boxer Ben Whittaker has said he woke up feeling “a bit happier” on Thursday after struggling to contain his disappointment at winning a silver medal the day before.

Whittaker appeared to break down after his defeat and chose not to wear his medal on the podium, later admitting he felt like a "failure" though meant no disrespect.

On Thursday, he told ITV News he was just so determined to win the gold medal and that he should have “presented” himself better.

“As a boxer, I'm very cocky, I'm very arrogant and people probably don't really like that person but it's just a boxer person I tune into,” he explained.

“I was so proud of getting that bronze medal but then you come to the realisation you want to change the colour,” he added.

“When I didn't get that gold, it was so upsetting, I could have presented myself a lot better but it was just the raw emotion I wanted to bring a gold back to the country and I didn’t do that and I felt like I let everybody down.”

He talked about his competitive spirit, which he said even extends to video games with his friends.

He added: “I woke up a bit happier today with a silver on my neck, where it should have been, and I’m happy.”