5th October 2022 

A ‘new’ name with a familiar face has been included in GB Taekwondo’s squad for the World Taekwondo World Grand Prix in Manchester later this month. 

 The four-day tournament, featuring many of the world’s best athletes and including a Paralympic tournament, takes place at the Regional Arena, Sportcity from October 20-23. 

 And lining up for a shot at the heavyweight title is newlywed Bianca Walkden, competing for the first time under her married name of Bianca Cook. 

The three-time world champion from Liverpool recently tied the knot in Italy with long-standing partner and former GBT fighter, Aaron Cook. 

Bianca, who celebrated her 31st birthday last week, is joined in the +67kg division by Rebecca McGowan, a recent medallist at the Paris Grand Prix, and teenage Grand Prix debutant, Morgan Curtis. 

Double Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones is also one of three GB fighters competing at -57kg, alongside 2019 world championship bronze medallist, Aaliyah Powell and Jodie McKew.  

World champion Bradly Sinden looks to upgrade his recent Grand Prix bronze in Paris as one of four male GB fighters. 

On the Para side, heavyweight Matt Bush, side-lined for more than a year after major knee surgery, has withdrawn from what would have been a comeback tournament. 

However, three Para stars are in action on the opening day, including Tokyo 2020 medalists, Beth Munro and Amy Truesdale. 

“This is a very decent team of elite and experienced fighters with new and developing athletes,” said Performance Director, Gary Hall. 

“We have had some encouraging results in the Grand Prix events this year and with home advantage hopefully we can produce even better results.” 

However, Hall remains concerned by constantly evolving rule changes, aimed at increasing the sport’s entertainment X Factor. 

“World Taekwondo is working very hard to settle down the rules but it has been challenging for athletes and coaches,” said Hall. 

“There has been a lot of change for us at the wrong time but we have got to adapt.  

“We are very good at doing that and are up for the challenge these rule changes bring.” 

Squad 

Paralympic squad: 

Fight day (October 20) 

Male: 

 -80kg: Joe Lane (Middlesex) 

Female: 

-65kg: Beth Munro (Liverpool) 

+65kg: Amy Truesdale (Chester) 

 

Friday, October 21: 

Male: 

-58kg: Mohammed Nour (Roehampton) 

Female:  

-49kg: Catherine Makanjuola (Eltham); Maddison Moore (Blakedown)

Saturday, October 22: 

Male: 

-68kg: Bradly Sinden (Doncaster), Leo Speight (Wakefield) 

 Female 

-57kg: Jade Jones (Flint), Jodie McKew (Dollingstown, Craigavon), Aaliyah Powell (Huddersfield) 

-67kg: Chloe Roberts (Stoke), Lauren Williams (Blackwood) 

 

Sunday, October 23: 

Male: 

+80kg: Caden Cunningham (Huddersfield) 

Female:  

+67kg: Morgan Curtis (Darlington), Rebecca McGowan (Dumbarton), Bianca Cook (Liverpool)