August 3, 2017 

Damon Sansum chases a first ever World Grand Prix title as part of a strong GB Taekwondo squad competing in Moscow this weekend.

Sansum, 30, is one of three medal winning members of GB’s record breaking World Championship team taking part in the Russian capital.

But while double world champion, Bianca Walkden and Mahama Cho, have Grand Prix gold medals in their collection, Sansum’s return is a solitary bronze and plenty of near misses.

“I have had lots of quarter-final, golden point exits,” says the 30-year-old Scot, a World bronze medallist in South Korea back in June.

“I am sick of that now. I am not doing that anymore,” he insisted.

“I am going out there to put on a performance to make the final and come away with a gold rather than bronzes.

“The training I have done and the focus I have got is going to make that right.

“All the focus since January for me was the World Championship,” added Sansum, whose only Grand Prix medal came in Astana three years ago.

“That’s come and gone so the focus then was preparing for the next goal and not going off the boil which could have been easy to do.

“I’ve not had much time off but I’m looking forward to getting back on the mat and competing with everyone again.

“It’s the best of the best in two weight divisions put together.  But I definitely think I can win that division,” said Sansum fighting at -80kg.

Walkden (+67kg) and world silver medallist, Cho (+80kg), are in action tomorrow (Friday), the first of three days of competition. They are joined by Wales’ European champion, Lauren Williams, keen to make amends for her quarter-final exit in Muju.

All eight of the GB squad participated at the World Championship. The remaining members are: Max Cater, Christian McNeish, Peter Longobardi-Radford and Rachelle Booth.

*London’s Copper Box Arena is hosting the World Taekwondo Grand Prix from October 20-22. Tickets are now on sale via http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/taekwondo

Schedule:

Friday, August 4:

Male:

+80kg: Mahama Cho (Stockwell, London)

Female:

-67kg: Lauren Williams (Newport, Gwent)

+67kg: Bianca Walkden (Liverpool)

 

Saturday, August 5:

Male:

-58kg: Max Cater (Southampton)

-80kg: Damon Sansum (Elgin)

 

Sunday, August 9:

Male:

-68kg: Peter Longobardi-Radford (Rye), Christian McNeish (Plaistow, London).

Female:

-57kg: Rachelle Booth (Wigan)