7/27/2019 GB Team put on Winning Performance ahead of Grand Prix!

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GB Team put on Winning

Performance ahead of

Grand Prix!

Following the announcement of the first five athletes to make the squad ahead of theinaugural Taekwondo Grand Prix (Manchester Central, 13 th -15th December), the GB teamdid not disappoint in the recent Serbian Open.

Having been confirmed for Manchester’s inaugural World Taekwondo Grand Prix lastweek, expectations were high for GB Team members, Lutalo Muhammad, Bianca Walkdenand Martin Stamper, but an impressive performance at the Belgrade-based competitiondemonstrated they’re all more than up to the task.

The last time the athletes are likely to compete before the Grand Prix, the team overallenjoyed unprecedented success, with seven of the nine travelling athletes medalling atthe competition – perfect preparation for the squad as they turn their focus toDecember’s event.

Giving reason for Grand Prix spectators to be excited about what’s to come, LutaloMuhammad (-87) and Jordan Gayle (-68) both came away with gold medals whilst Bianca

Walkden (-73), Andrew Deer (-80), Ben Haines (-74) and Dominic Brookes (-58) all tooksilver, with a bronze for Martin Stamper (-68).

Muhammad, fresh from victory at September’s National Championships began bydefeating Serbia’s representative at the 2013 World Championships in -87, Đorñe Marčetić10-5.

A win over Draskov Jovanov, the winner of the 2013 Austrian Open, set up a final againstDionys Kronreif, a representative for Germany at the 2013 Worlds who was handilydispatched 12-4.

As is often the case, the -68 division was one of the most fiercely contested in Belgrade,but Jordan Gayle, who was unable to compete at the World Championships, staked hisclaim for one of the eight wildcard places at December’s Grand Prix. 18-6, 12-8 and 18-10 wins set up an all British semi final against team mate MartinStamper. And it was Gayle who narrowly edged the contest with a 14-13 victory, leadingto a final match up against Vladimir Dalakliev of Bulgaria who was beaten 6-2.

Walkden meanwhile stormed to victories in her quarter and semi finals without droppinga point but came up against the Olympic Champion and Serbian national hero, MilicaMandić in the final.

7/27/2019 GB Team put on Winning Performance ahead of Grand Prix!

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A tight and tense affair finished 2-2 after three rounds with Mandić taking the contest ongolden point.

Ben Haines and Dominic Brookes both got off to strong starts as members of the GBAcademy as they picked up silver’s in the -74 and -58 divisions respectively.

Haines lost out in the final 4-1 to one of the day’s best fighters, Damir Fejzic, who hadmet Martin Stamper in the 2012 Olympic Games, whilst Brookes went down toexperienced Stipe Jarloni, a representative at numerous World and EuropeanChampionships for Croatia.

Finally Andrew Deer rounded out the day with yet another medal, winning his first threefights including a 12-6 win over number one seed Stojan Rabijac before losing in the finalagainst 2012 European Championships bronze medallist Bartosz Kolecki of Poland.

The Taekwondo Grand Prix will be held at Manchester Central from Friday 13th – Sunday15th December. To view the event schedule and purchase tickets to the event, visitwww.ticketmaster.co.uk/WTGP13 

-ENDS-

Please contact Miranda Wade (Miranda@rule-5.co.uk) or Lucy Murgatroyd (lucy@rule-5.co.uk)

0161 686 5727

For further details contact

Adrian Tranter President 

British Taekwondo

Mike Mckenzie Development Officer British Taekwondo

Or:

Bethany Bishop Media Officer media@britishtaekwondo.org 

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