SLAVIN HOWAY! JADE JOY AFTER BATTLE OF BRITAIN WIN
Jade Slavin captured the second title of her comeback from injury as GB Taekwondo fighters completed a full house of medals at the Luxembourg Open.
And Slavin achieved her latest win at the expense of fellow Manchester trained team mate, Lauren Williams. Anthony Stephenson added to the girls’ gold and silver successes with bronze in the -68kg category.
Slavin from Consett, however, claimed the plaudits to underline her future potential.
In a high scoring final the 23-year-old defeated teenager Williams 16-11 after knocking out London 2012 silver medallist, Nur Tatar of Turkey, in the semi-finals.
But defeat was no disgrace for Welsh prospect Williams, stepping up from her European Championship winning weight of -67kg to -73kg for the first time as a senior.
“I’m really pleased with my performances,” said Slavin, a recent Austrian Open winner where she claimed the scalp of reigning Olympic champion, Milicia Mandic of Serbia.
“I had three tough fights against three good players and I’m just happy that I come away with valuable ranking points which will help me qualify for the Grand Prix in Beijing in December.” Slavin also whitewashed Italy’s Maristella Smiraglia 9-0.
Williams from Blackwood, Gwent, defeated Russians, Karina Zhdanova (13-5) and Arina Zhivotkova (8-3) en route to the final.
Stephenson from Bury lost 5-4 in his semi-final against Azerbaijan’s eventual champion, Aykhan Taghizade. Earlier he beat Austria’s Daniel Mauracher 8-1 and Soufiane Achnine of Holland 12-7.
Results:
Lauren Williams -73kg
QF: Beat Karina Zhdanova RUS 13-5
SF: Beat Arina Zhivotkova RUS 8-3
F: Lost to Jade Slavin GBR 11-16
Jade Slavin -73kg
QF: Beat Maristella Smiraglia ITA 9-0
SF: Beat Nur Tatar TUR 1-0
F: Beat Lauren Williams GBR 16-11
Tony Stephenson -68kg
Round Of 16: Beat Daniel Mauracher AUT 8-1
QF: Beat Soufiane Achnine NLD 12-7
SF: Lost to Aykhan Taghizade AZE 4-5