Walkden Eyes Grand Slam Success After Grand Prix Near Miss
23rd November 2018
Bianca Walkden is targeting end of year success after suffering another near miss in the last World Grand Prix final of the season.
For the second successive Grand Prix event, the twice world champion lost to China’s Shuyin Zheng in the heavyweight final.
Beaten 9-7 in Manchester last month, the 27-year-old Liverpudlian this time went down 17-8 against the reigning Olympic champion.
“I did a lot better than Manchester but the score doesn’t reflect how close the fight was,” said Walkden. “So, I can only learn from it.
“I did well at the beginning and put a lot of pressure on. But I made a few mistakes at the end which cost me the match.”
Walkden, last year’s overall Grand Prix champion, finishes the 2018 series with three silvers and a bronze.
What defines us is how well we rise, after falling” 🥈 silver medal today at the Grand Prix Final in Fujairah… #bestofthebest #Top16 #worldclasstournaments #nevergiveup #ontothenextone #2weeks pic.twitter.com/EKcaxdSDZM
— Bianca Walkden TKD (@BiancaW_tkd) November 23, 2018
“I am so disappointed I didn’t win gold again,” she added. “At the end of the day I would give up every Grand Prix for me to win the world title again in May.
“As long as I get gold there that’s what ultimately matters.”
Walkden now has a fortnight to prepare for the second edition of the World Grand Slam tournament in Wuxi, China.
Twelve months ago she defeated American Jackie Galloway in the +67kg final to scoop a record-breaking £52,000 prize.
“At least I am consistent even if it’s not the consistency of colour I want.
“I have got two weeks before the Grand Slam event so I will see if I can win some tasty dollars there.”
See Bianca live in action next May as the 2019 World Championships come to Manchester! Click here for tickets and more info