22nd February 2019

Amy Truesdale bounced back from the loss of her World Championship title in the best possible manner at the African Para Open Championships in Hurghada, Egypt.

Truesdale defeated reigning European gold medallist, Aynur Mammadona 14-11 in the final of the K34 +58kg category.

Victory came after progressing from the semi-final against Brazil’s Debora Menezes-the athlete who succeeded her as world title holder.

To complete an excellent stay in the Middle East, the Chester raised fighter was awarded ‘best female athlete’ at the tournament.

“Because of my result at the Worlds in Turkey it was important for me to get back on the mat and back into winning ways,” said Truesdale, disappointed by her quarter-final exit.

“I came up against some good competitors and I was really pleased my training paid off.

“I just felt it’s where I should be,” she said after her return to the top of the podium. “I am glad to be back on it and hopefully it will continue.

“ I am pleased to get the gold because usually when I have been to these competitions in Africa before I’ve got into the final and ended up with silver.

“This was another goal I hadn’t achieved so it was great to tick it off the list.”

Truesdale’s crowd-pleasing displays also caught the eye of the organisers.

“I was really shocked,” she said of her ‘Best Athlete’ accolade. “There were a lot of people watching so I wanted to put on a good performance.

“And it is extra special because my coach (Andrew Deer) has just been crowned coach of the year.”

Truesdale travelled to Hurghada with Welsh teammate Matt Bush, still on a high after his recent World Championship heavyweight title success. This time he went down in the last eight to Russia’s Aliskhab Ramazanov.