10th November 2018

Rebecca McGowan didn’t win a medal at last month’s World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester but claimed a memorable scalp to set her up for this weekend’s Croatia Open.

The teenage Scot knocked out Serbia’s former Olympic and World Champion, Milica Mandic in the opening round at the Regional Arena.

“It was definitely a confidence boost but I like to treat everyone I fight like they are world champion and they are going to be the toughest fight,” she said.

“However, I’m really excited for the competition. I have had a good hard week’s training ahead so I’m really excited to put the stuff I’ve been working on into practice.”

The small senior squad, also including 2018 junior world champion, Jordyn Smith, is swelled by a raft of cadet and junior athletes.

Cadet Danya Serry fights on Sunday and says: “I am really looking forward to going to Croatia with the team.

“I’m very excited to get in the ring and use some of the new techniques I have learnt from the training camps.”

Junior Alex Foster added: “After winning a gold medal at the recent British Championships, I am really looking forward to representing my country in Croatia.

“I see this has a great opportunity to develop myself further with my new coach, look at new areas to improve my game and hopefully come away having had a strong performance.”

Fellow junior Caden Cunningham added: “It’s been a while since I have competed internationally, so I am really looking forward to it. I am feeling good and strong at my weight.“

Schedule

Saturday, November 10

Juniors:

Male:

-63kg: Finlay Moody, Finley Summers

-68kg: Alex Foster

Female:

-55kg: Chloe Roberts

-59kg: Mia Cutler-Rooke

-63kg: Emily Brighton

-68kg: Sharissa Gannaway

Seniors

-54kg: Mohammed Nour, Mason Yarrow

Female:

-46kg: Jordyn Smith (Carronshore)

-67kg: Molly Dunbavin (Wakefield)

+73kg: Rebecca McGowan (Dumbarton)

Sunday, November 11

Cadet

Male:

-45kg: Jacob Fairhead

+65kg: Danyaal Butt

Female

-37kg: Danya Serry

-41kg: Neve Hogg, Tegan Paynter

-51kg: Jodie McKew

Juniors

Male:

-45kg: Dylan Ravenscroft

-48kg: Coady Boyd

-51kg: Marcus Brown, Hayden Corby

-55kg: Caden Cunningham

-59kg: Daniel Brown

Female:

-46kg: Erin Shaw

-49kg: Maisy Cook, Aaliyah Powell