8th March 2021

Rising star Chloe Roberts matched the achievements of world champions, Bradly Sinden and Bianca Walkden to strike gold at the Ramus Sofia Open in Bulgaria.

The 2019 junior European champion from Stoke took the -62kg title, one of six GB Taekwondo fighters to stand on the podium.

And while Roberts won without a kick or punch in the final after her opponent forfeited the match, it was still an impressive tournament for the 17-year-old former kickboxer.

“It’s a good start to the year,” said Roberts. “This is my first senior gold medal, it’s onwards and upwards from here on out.”

Sinden, 22, from Doncaster ended a truncated 2020 campaign with victory at the European Clubs Championship in Zagreb.

And with World, Olympic and European honours to aim for in 2021, the Yorkshire fighter looks in good form. His competition ended with a 19-14 victory over Jordan’s Zaid Kareem in the -68kg final.

Triple world title winner Walkden has now won her last three tournaments at +73kg, sealing a good day’s work with a 7-1 win over Germany’s Lorena Brandl.

Rebecca McGowan from Dumbarton underlined her growing reputation by reaching the -73kg final before a minor injury denied her chance of the title.

McGowan’s highlight was a 5-3, semi-final triumph over London 2012 gold medallist, Milicia Mandic.

The remaining two medals were taken by double Olympic champion Jade Jones (-57kg) and the consistent Maddison Moore (-49kg).

Welsh favourite Jones was involved in a semi-final thriller against Croatia’s Marija Stetic, eventually losing 19-17 on golden point.

Moore reached the last four at -49kg before four-time African champion Abdelsalam Nour of Egypt proved too strong winning 17-8.