17th September 2018

Maddison Moore (left) on the -49kg podium.

Former karate champion Maddison Moore claimed silver as GB Taekwondo fighters won three medals at the Polish Open in Warsaw.

The 18-year-old captured European Senior and Junior titles before switching martial arts in November 2017.

Now the prospect from Chasetown has come close to winning her first gold medal in taekwondo at an event that also brought success for Rebecca McGowan and Kyla Julien.

“I hope it encourages other karate players to consider the transfer and know it can be done,” explained delighted Maddison.

“There will be people out there who want you to fail. But my advice would be don’t worry about them focus on yourself, find confidence with your own ability and don’t punch people in the face because it’s not allowed,” she smiled.

Maddison, fighting at -49kg, won three fights, dropping only 19 points, on the way to the final.

However, Russian Vanja Stankovic, a former European Junior champion, proved too strong for the inexperienced Manchester trained athlete in a high scoring final.

Rebecca McGowan with her bronze medal.

Scottish starlet McGowan, a World Junior Championship bronze medallist in 2016, claimed bronze again in the -73 kg category. She eventually lost 14-3 against reigning World and 2012 Olympic champion, Milica Mandic of Serbia.

“I tried to stick to my game plan and keep the pressure on throughout,” she said of her semi-final tussle. “Unfortunately, I got caught with a couple of headshots.

“However, it felt amazing to be back in the ring. I was back where I belong, doing what I am supposed to be doing.”

Huddersfield based Kyla continued her impressive form in 2018 with a bronze medal at -57kg, a category that includes double Olympic champion, Jade Jones and 2015 World Championship bronze medallist, Rachelle Booth.

Kyla has been a longstanding member of the Sport England funded Development Programme and has previously medalled at the Dutch, Luxembourg and Paris Opens.

This time she won three fights before losing 26-14 against Aleksandra Radmilovic of Russia.

Kyla Julien (3rd place, left) following her bronze medal match.

*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