6th December 2019

World champion Bradly Sinden is determined to round off an “amazing year” by adding a new title to his collection in Moscow this weekend.

The Doncaster star is one of six GB Taekwondo fighters competing in the fourth and toughest Grand Prix series event of 2019.

Triple world champion, Bianca Walkden, and double Olympic gold medallist, Jade Jones, are also in action in the Russian capital.

A GP bronze medallist in Rome earlier this year, Sinden now aims to move to the top of the podium.

“It would feel amazing, topping off the great year I have already had,” said the 21-year-old Yorkshireman, Britain’s first able-bodied male world champion when winning the -68kg crown in Manchester last May.

“It is the best of the best every fight, battling it out to see who is going to come out on top.”

One of Sinden’s toughest challenges could come from GB teammate, Christian McNeish.

The former European champion from Plaistow trumped Sinden’s bronze with GP silver in Chiba, Japan back in September.

“It would be a great way to end the year and it would be my first Grand Prix title as well,” said McNeish.  “So, it would be a big deal for me and my team.

“These tournaments are the highest level of competition. So, in order to even medal at one and win one, it proves you are at world-class level.

“The fighters are all at a high standard and almost anyone can beat anyone on that day.”

Heavyweight Mahama Cho is also keen to improve on his best GP result of 2019 to date-bronze at the Rome Grand Prix.

“The Grand Prix tournaments are different because it is the best of the best; the crème de la crème, survival of the fittest,” he said.

“There is no hiding out there. If you don’t bring your ‘A’ game your opponents will be ruthless.”

Liverpudlian heavyweight Bianca Walkden aims for third time lucky after finishing with silver behind China’s Zheng Shuyin at the Chiba and Sofia Grand Prix events.

Welsh star Jones has fought sparingly since capturing her first world championship earlier this year. But the world number one remains confident of success at -57kg where the Grand Prix accolades this year have been shared between South Korea, Turkey and China.

Compatriot Lauren Williams goes for gold at -67kg having finished runner-up to Ivory Coast’s Ruth Gbagbi in Bulgaria.

Squad:

Male:

-68kg: Christian McNeish (Plaistow), Bradly Sinden (Doncaster)

+80kg: Mahama Cho (Stockwell)

Female:

-57kg: Jade Jones (Flint)

-67kg: Lauren Williams (Blackwood)

+67kg: Bianca Walkden (Liverpool)