16th November 2021

Four promising British athletes enjoyed a ‘bronze bonanza’ at the Junior European Championships in Sarajevo.

Yorkshire teenagers Owen Blunt and Latisha Garbett plus Scottish prospects Neve McPhillie and Adele Williamson all achieved podium finishers.

GB Taekwondo Development manager Steve Green said: “Many congratulations to all debutants competing at their first major championship and to the medallists.

“This was always going to be an unpredictable event with limited exposure during the last two years to G1 tournaments and major championships.

“But a bronze ‘bonanza’ signals the junior team knows there is much more work to do on our performances to ensure the results look after themselves.

“We have many promising athletes, and more than half of this current team remain juniors for 2022.

“We will now focus on implementing our training plan leading up to the 2022 Junior World Championships in Sofia next August.”

Owen Blunt from Doncaster earned his medal at -45kg. He said: “My journey has only just started. A bronze medal is my stepping stone to bigger and better things.”

Elgin’s Adele Williamson, competing at -68kg, said: “I am overwhelmed and buzzing to have earned myself a bronze medal from the Championships. It is more than I ever imagined.

Neve McPhillie from East Kilbride said after her -59kg medal: “I am beyond delighted to medal in my debut appearance for the GB Development team.

“It was an experience of a lifetime. So, thanks for the opportunity and to everyone supporting me back home.”