19th September 2018

Mahama Cho celebrated his comeback with GB Taekwondo’s first medal at the World Taekwondo World Grand Prix in Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei.

But there was disappointment for a trio of former Grand Prix medal winners, Lauren Williams, Christian McNeish and Bradly Sinden, all of whom finished in their respective Quarter Final rounds.

Cho enjoyed a superb quarter-final victory over Germany’s current -87kg world champion, Alexander Bachmann.

However, after his confidence boosting 4-2 success, the London raised heavyweight went down 9-2 in the last four of the +80kg division against Bachmann’s world final opponent, Vladislav Larin, from Russia.

“I am ecstatic to be back on the podium,” he said. “I know with my capabilities I can do much more.

“But I am happy knowing the training and the rehab I’ve done has gone well.

“It’s great to fight the best fighters in the world and still be able to perform. I just need a bit more match fitness to say I am ready to contend again.”

Reigning European champion McNeish was hoping for third time lucky after missing podium places at the 2018 Grand Prixs in Rome and Moscow.

But having progressed to the last eight, McNeish went down 22-13 against Iran’s 2017 world championship silver medallist, Mirhashem Hosseini.

Welsh wonder Lauren Williams hoped to complete a full set of 2018 Grand Prix medals having earned bronze in Rome and silver in Moscow.

Instead, the European title holder lost 13-6 to South Korea’s Jan-Di Kim.

Yorkshireman Sinden made it a trio of last eight exits. Drawn against Kim’s compatriot, Lee Dae-Hoon, he lost 38-21.

London and Rio Olympic champion Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden look to boost GB’s medal haul on day two of the event tomorrow. (Thursday)

Jones makes her return to competition as reigning European champion at -57kg and a winner of the inaugural Rome Grand Prix whilst, Walkden collected a bronze medal at the Rome Grand Prix, earlier this year.

*Watch Olympic medallists Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden compete at the Manchester edition of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix, which is back at the Regional Arena from 19-21 October. Tickets are now on sale via http://www.kickingforglory.com