6th June 2023

 

“An incredible performance from an incredible team,” is Performance Director Gary Hall’s verdict on GB Taekwondo’s World Championship campaign in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Only three nations bettered GBT’s final total of four medals from: Bradly Sinden (gold), Rebecca McGowan (silver), Bianca Cook (bronze) and Aaliyah Powell (bronze).

The four fighters, however, can’t rest on their laurels as they and five other teammates fly out to Italy later this week for the Rome Grand Prix. A squad of 12 will then represent Team GB at the European Games in Poland later this month.

“It was great to achieve positive results because it does lift confidence in the camp,” said Hall. “And the Worlds are still the strongest test for our athletes.

“We achieved four medals at the Worlds last year as well but Bradly upgraded his silver to gold and Rebecca upgraded from bronze to silver.

“Aaliyah, while winning bronze again, was so close to getting into the final which she was desperate to do.

“For Bradly to come away with gold is a real boost for him because anyone who is anyone was in that field. He dominated the competition.

“Rebecca is going in the right direction and she delivered some extremely positive performances.

“Aaliyah is still only 20 and everything is positive that she is building towards.

“This was the start of a challenging schedule. It’s going to be an endurance test,” admitted Hall.

“But this is where the brilliant team supporting the athletes comes into play.

“There are some valuable ranking points up for grabs at the next two tournaments which will definitely solidify the qualification of a couple of (Olympic) weights which are starting to look safe for us.”

The GBT Rome Grand Prix squad is:

Male:

– 58kg Mohammad Nour (Roehampton)

-68kg  Bradly Sinden (Doncaster)

+80kg Caden Cunningham (Huddersfield)

 

Female:

-49kg Maddison Moore (Blakedown)

– 57kg Jade Jones (Flint)

-67kg Chloe Roberts (Stoke), Lauren Williams (Newport)

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