21st September 2018

Damon Sansum rounded off another positive tournament for GB Taekwondo fighters with a final day bronze at the World Taekwondo World Grand Prix in Taipei.

The double World Championship medallist defeated Aaron Cook on his way to the semi-finals of the -80kg division.

But despite his best endeavours, the 31-year-old Scot lost 21-10 against in-form Russian Maksim Khramtsov.

“He’s probably the best 80 in the world at the moment,” said Damon after adding to Bianca Walkden’s silver medal and a bronze for heavyweight Mahama Cho.

“But it was competitive, and I put myself against the top of the world and hung in there. It is only going to get better and better.”

Khramtsov has now won all three Grand Prix titles in 2018 and will start favourite for the Manchester leg next month. (October 19-21).

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Bronze Medal at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Taiwan! . . Top quality fights today and each one of them tough and to the wire. Unfortunately fell short in the semi final to a very tricky opponent. . . Shout out to coach @mstamper_tkd for spot on advice throughout the day 👌🏼 . . . #taekwondo #taekwondowtf #taekwondowt #tkd #taiwan #taipei #instapic #potd

A post shared by Damon Sansum (@damonsansum) on Sep 21, 2018 at 7:24am PDT

However, Damon has also taken heart from his performances in the Far East, starting with an 11-7 win over Italy’s Roberto Botta

He followed up with a 24-18 win over Moldovan international Cook and golden point success against South Korea’s Hun Kim.

“The day was good,” he added. “I felt confident, positive and excited to fight.

“I fought Aaron for the first time in a few years but it is always an entertaining fight.

“I was losing until the last three seconds against Korea but managed a kick to the head, then I kicked him in the head again in golden point.

“So, overall I am feeling mentally fresh and focused. And I can’t wait for the Manchester Grand Prix and chance to fight in front of a home crowd.”

With London and Rio Olympic medallist, Lutalo Muhammad, withdrawn through sickness, that left Damon’s compatriot, Jordyn Smith, as GBT’s other competitor on day three.

However, after a 4-2 win over home player, Chia Yin Sung, Jordyn lost 13-0 against Japan’s Miyu Yamada.

*Watch Olympic and World champions, Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden plus European champion, Lauren Williams, 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