Ruebyn Richards vowed to bounce back at next month’s inaugural European Games after describing his WTF World Championship exit as “massively disappointing.”

The Nottingham star suffered golden point agony against Poland’s Karol Robak after an encouraging start to his campaign in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

“It is gutting to lose at any stage but especially so early on,” said dejected Richards, 5-0 up in his second round contest.

“I genuinely felt with my ability I could have gone all the way.  But it didn’t go right for me.

“Tactically, I thought I controlled the fight pretty well but I had a couple of shots that just didn’t register.

“I don’t think I would have done much differently had I had that the fight over again.”

After his encouraging opening round against Robak, Richards aimed high again in the second but got caught one of Robak’s head shots.

Richards looked to have landed two further head shots but neither registered on the electronic headguards.

Robak edged ahead in the third and held a 9-7 lead with seconds remaining only for Richards to force his opponent out of the ring, scoring in the process to level the match.

But the Pole found a way through Richards’ defensive cover to take the match in overtime.

“I probably need more ring time,” admitted the disappointed GB Academy player after his exit in the ultra competitive -68kg division.

“I haven’t fought much this year due to injury and I could do with fighting more to get that sharpness back.

“Even the first fight when I won by a big margin, I didn’t think I had that full sharpness. So, it is something to look at before Baku where hopefully I can get something I think my ability deserves.

“It will be straight back in the gym for me when I get home.” Richards defeated Egypt’s Ziad Elfeky 13-2 in his opening match, scoring all but one of his points in the last two rounds.

RESULTS

Male -68kg: Ruebyn Richards

Round One: BYE

Round Two: Beat Ziad Elfeky (EGY) 13-2

Round Three: Lost to Karol Robak (POL) 9-9, golden point.

GB SQUAD

Schedule (+4 hour time difference in Chelyabinsk)

MEN:

May 15: -54 Max Cater (Southampton)
May 16: +87kg Mahama Cho (Stockwell)
May 17: -63kg Jordan Gayle (Manchester)
May 18: -80kg Damon Sansum (Elgin)

WOMEN:

May 15: -53kg Georgia Barnes (Southampton); +73kg Bianca Walkden (Liverpool)
May 16: -73kg Jade Slavin (Consett)
May 17: -57kg Jade Jones (Flint)
May 18: -62kg Rachelle Booth (Wigan)