The announcer in the arena had to urge the crowd to show respect as officials were jeering at the start of the tussle for third place. Spectators cheered wildly for every hit scored by Shin.

Upset ... Shin A-Lam. Credit:Reuters

In the semi-final, 25-year-old Shin had thought she was through to the final when, to her consternation, the clock was reset from zero to one second. Heidemann, the reigning Olympic champion, then scored the winning hit.

Shim Jaesung, the Korean coach, immediately made an appeal and it was nearly half an hour before it was announced to the crowd - slow-clapping by this stage - that Heidemann’s win stood.

Shin broke down in tears for the second time and while her opponent celebrated she remained on the piste. This was because a formal appeal was being considered and if she left the field of play it would be deemed an acceptance of defeat.