June 29, 2017

Jade Jones remains on course for a maiden World title as GB Taekwondo stars equalled their best ever World Championship medal tally of four with a day of competition remaining in Muju.

Six years after winning a silver medal, double Olympic gold medallist Jones reached the semi-finals of the -57kg weight division and returns to action tomorrow (Friday).

Flint star Jones reached the last four with an 11-8 win over Chinese Taipei’s Yu-Chuang Chen.

Yorkshire teenager Bradly Sinden qualified for the semi-finals at -63kg while heavyweight Mahama Cho is already a confirmed world silver medallist.

However, there was disappointment after defeat to Niger’s Abdoul Issoufou in the final of the +87kg event.

Londoner Cho, who defeated Russian Kuznetsov 22-4 in the semi-finals, fell into early penalty trouble and eventually lost 9-4 to the 22-year-old Rio Olympic Games silver medallist.

“I thought I had my tactics right,” said Cho after losing to his 6’7” African rival.

“But giants are always going to be difficult to fight against. He did tremendously well and stuck to his game plan.

“But he is on my wanted list now and I want to beat next time. It starts from here and we keep building.

“It’s taken me a long time to get to this stage. But I am doing something right.

“I am going to keep working and hopefully I will fight him again and I can get the job done and proper.”

Headhunter’ Jones, dropping only two points in her opening two contests against Morocco’s Nada Laaraj and Ara White of America, said: “I’m really happy I’ve got past that mental block.

“Now, I’ve got the chance to go for that title…finally,” she said.

“I don’t think people realise how tough it is being at the top and then everyone saying I always go out in the quarter-finals – it’s a jinx.

“I’m really happy I’ve proved I can perform mentally and be strong.”

Sinden from Doncaster has become one of GB’s youngest ever taekwondo world medallists by guaranteeing bronze at -63kg.

The 18-year-old World Championship rookie did so with a stunning golden point victory over Belgium’s defending champion, Jaouad Achab.

Teenager Sinden, who came through another sudden death finale in his last 32 match against Argentina’s Lucas Guzman.

He said: “I’m really happy to medal, I’ve been working towards this since I’ve come into the GB Academy.

“I just stuck to my plan and it paid off.” Sinden’s coach Martin Stamper won bronze at the 2011 World Championships when Michael Harvey claimed silver at -63kg as part of the record four medal haul.

Britain sends two more medal hopes into action on Friday, both looking to improve on their 2015 performances. Damon Sansum, silver medallist two years ago, fights at -80kg while 2015 bronze medallist, Rachelle Booth, goes at -62kg.

Jones will face Korea’s Ah-Reum Lee in tomorrow’s semi-final whilst, teammate Sinden goes up against Chinese Shuai Zhao.

All semi-final and finals will be shown on the BBC red button, Connected TV and the BBC Sport website from 8am-11am.

*London’s Copper Box Arena is hosting the World Taekwondo Grand Prix from October 20-22. Tickets are now on sale via http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/taekwondo

Schedule:
Friday June 30

(W-62kg and M-80kg prelims & FINALS) – Rachelle Booth, Damon Sansum

(W-57kg and M-63kg FINALS) – Jade Jones & Bradly Sinden