16th October 2018

Christian McNeish hopes it’s fourth time lucky when he fights at the World Taekwondo World Grand Prix in Manchester. (October 19-21)

The reigning European champion has competed in the last three Grand Prix events of 2018 in Rome, Moscow and Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei and is yet to add to last season’s bronze medal in the Russian capital.

And McNeish, still only 21, dismisses a suggestion he’s become a marked man after a brilliant run of form when he won five successive tournaments including his Euro crown.

“I will be pleased if I do go out and win,” said the London born fighter, one of three GB athletes taking to the mat at -68kg.

“It would be my first Grand Prix gold plus a little bit of money for winning.

“However, it’s not going to make my year. Or be my biggest achievement,” added McNeish.

“I always want to do better. Every achievement is better than the last.”

By his own prolific standards McNeish, a Youth Olympics medallist four years ago has come through a lean patch.

However, he’s optimistic the pieces are falling into place as the Grand Prix approaches.

“Things are coming together and I am starting to feel sharp again,” he said. “I can’t wait to see how I have improved.

“The Grand Prix’s though are always tough and they haven’t gone my way at times.

“Doing well in tournaments does make it harder but I think sometimes fighters give you too much respect because they know what you are capable of.”

McNeish is joined at -68kg by Doncaster’s 2017 World Championship bronze medallist, Bradly Sinden and Josh Calland from Liverpool.

“The competition makes everyone a better fighter,” insists McNeish. “Everyone is trying to improve to get to the next level. That’s important in any gym.

“Everyone helps each other even though they are competing against each other. You learn stuff from others, so it makes it better for me.”

FULL GB TAEKWONDO SQUAD:

Male:

-58kg: Hassan Haider (Falkirk)

-68kg: Christian McNeish (Plaistow), Bradly Sinden (Doncaster), Josh Calland (Liverpool)

-80kg: Damon Sansum (Elgin)

+80kg: Mahama Cho (Stockwell); Lutalo Muhammad (Walthamstow)

 Female:

-49kg: Jordyn Smith (Carronshore), Maddison Moore (Blakedown)

-57kg: Jade Jones (Flint), Kyla Julien (Huddersfield)

-67kg: Molly Dunbavin (Wakefield), Lauren Williams (Newport)

+67kg: Rebecca McGowan (Dumbarton), Bianca Walkden (Liverpool)