18th April 2021

Yorkshire teenager Aaliyah Powell makes a significant return to action this weekend and can’t wait to resume her burgeoning career.

The 18-year-old from Huddersfield has fought sparingly since her brilliant performances at the 2019 World Championships when she captured a surprise bronze medal.

Now, Powell is back for her first appearance at the Spanish Open, moving up from -53kg to -57kg, the weight category dominated by GB Taekwondo teammate, Jade Jones.

“I am really excited to be back in the ring,” said Powell who achieved world success while also studying for GCSE exams.

“Preparation has gone well and I’m just happy we’ve been able to train during the current circumstances,” said the talented teenager, a winner of the World Junior title in 2018.

“It’s my first competition in a long while and the first time fighting at -57kg. So, I am looking forward to making my mark.”

In a week when the 100-days to Toyko milestone was passed, Powell is happy to look ahead to the future.

She represented Team GB at the 2018 Youth Olympics which took place in Buenos Aires.

“Seeing its less than 100 days to Tokyo now makes me also think Paris is just around the corner.

“This makes me even more determined to keep pushing for this Olympic gold in 2024.”

Powell is joined in Alicante for the two-day event by fellow Yorkshire fighter, Caden Cunningham. The 18-year-old, a member of GB Taekwondo’s recent European Championships, returns to action at -87kg.