23rd October 2022

There was no “magical ending” to Jade Jones’ World Grand Prix campaign in Manchester but there were plenty of plus points for the double Olympic champion to take into next month’s World Championships in Mexico.

The 29-year-old Welsh star battled through to the final of the – 57kg final at the Regional Arena without dropping a round in her three previous fights.

In the end, however, she had to settle for her second Grand Prix silver medal of the year against Luo Zongshi who had won the previous two Grand Prixs in Rome and Paris.

Manchester-trained teammates Lauren Williams and Bradly Sinden also finished on the podium on the penultimate day of competition.

Jones, roared on by a partisan home crowd, made a great start against her in-form Chinese rival.

However, after taking a 5-0 lead, the home favourite was outscored 23-7 over the final two rounds.

“I proved I am still up there,” said Jones who will be defending her world crown in Guadalajara.

“So, I will keep putting in the work and I know I will get on the top spot again.

“I am going away with lots of lessons for the World Championships. Overall, I was chuffed with my performances.

“It’s another Grand Prix medal and more important ranking points for Paris.

“I also enjoyed the support of a home crowd again. But I would like to have finished with the gold,” concluded Jones whose medal followed three on the opening day of competition for GB’s Para squad.

Williams reached the semi-finals at -67kg but her golden bid ended in a two-round defeat to French star, Magda Wiet-Hénin.

Injury denied Bradly Sinden a chance to add to GB’s medal tally. The -68kg world champion from Doncaster also progressed to the last four but withdrew before his bout.

“I was coming back from a previous injury so to pick up another one is disappointing,” he said.

“However, we’ve got a World Championships in three weeks so it’s great to have won some ranking points towards Paris 2024 and secured another Grand Prix medal along the way.”