2nd March 2018

Former World karate champion Maddison Moore makes her taekwondo debut this weekend as part of a strong Great Britain squad competing at the Sofia Open in Bulgaria.

The 22-year-old from Blakedown near Kidderminster swapped martial arts at the end of last year to become a full-time member of the multi-medal winning Manchester based team.

And Moore says her new sport’s top stars, including double world champion, Bianca Walkden, have helped her make the big transition.

Indeed, Liverpudlian heavyweight Walkden returns to action for the first time since becoming inaugural World Taekwondo Grand Slam champion in China last December, a victory also worth £52,000.

“I have had lots of support from the staff, my coaches especially and other members of the team,” said Moore.

“At the start, it was nerve-wracking, but they are so inspiring. I come along early to sessions to watch them prepare and fight.

“The other day Bianca pulled me aside and had a chat and gave me some pointers. They are just normal people who can kick like crazy.”

Moore, who has won multiple World and European karate titles, will compete on Sunday in the -49kg division. It will mark her three-month anniversary since joining GB Taekwondo.

“I have been doing karate since the age of seven so naturally there are a few nerves,” she explained. “But it is a mixture of nerves and excitement.”

Moore and Walkden are two of 14 athletes taking to the mats on Sunday. So too is Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist, Lutalo Muhammad.

The ‘Walthamstow Warrior’ has fought sparingly in the last 12 months due to injury but now he’s fully recovered and ready to battle at -87kg.

Other big hitters in action include European champion, Lauren Williams plus World Championship silver medallists, Mahama Cho and Damon Sansum.

Schedule:

Sunday, March 4

Male:

-58kg: Cameron Booth (Nottingham), Max Cater (Lewisham), Hassan Haider (Falkirk),

-68kg: Jacob Barnett (Baildon), Peter Longobardi-Radford (Rye), Christian McNeish (Plaistow).

-80kg: Damon Sansum (Elgin)

-87kg: Lutalo Muhammad (Walthamstow)

+87kg: Mahama Cho (Stockwell).

Female:

-49kg: Maddison Moore (Blakedown)

-57kg: Emelye O’Brien (Bradford)

-67kg: Lauren Williams (Newport, Gwent)

-73kg: Jade Slavin (Consett)

+73kg: Bianca Walkden (Liverpool)