Golden Duo Jones And Williams On Course For More Glory

Wales’ golden duo Jade Jones and Lauren Williams have been hailed after their victories at the Taekwondo London Grand Prix.

Double Olympic champ Jones won the -57kg title at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday.

‘Headhunter’ Jones’ victory came 24 hours after teenage wonder Williams, 18, claimed the biggest win of her career in the -67kg division.

Jones returned to the gold standard having had to settle for bronze at the World Championships and silver at her previous Grand Prix event in Morocco.

The 24-year-old from Flint avenged her defeat to South Korea’s Ah-Reum Lee at the worlds to the delight of the home fans.

Jones took time out after defending her Olympic crown in Rio last year taking part in the C4 reality series The Jump.

But GB Performance Director Gary Hall reckons Jones has a great chance of making history in Tokyo 2020 by becoming the first fighter to win a hat-trick of Games golds.

Hall said: “Jade wanted to do different things and to come back and get a gold in front of a home crowd was exceptional.

“But there was never anything wrong with Jade Jones. She needed some time out but has a clear target based on Tokyo.

“Three golds has never been done and Jade has the ability to go on and do that. I have no doubt she will carry on building.”

And Hall reckons the best is still to come from ‘Blackwood Belter’ Williams after her stunning victory in a high-class field on Friday.

Williams beat reigning world champ Nur Tatar and a former world champ in Ruth Gbagbi on her way to victory.

Hall added: “Lauren was outstanding and she was involved in one of the fight of the tournament.

“She has always had a clear mission on what she wants to achieve. Her family backed it and we have backed it.

“The really exciting bit is she is 70 percent of what she can be. She will be even better.”

Liverpool’s double world champ Bianca Walkden also struck gold as GB ended the Grand Prix with their best ever medal haul of five.

“The quality of the field was exceptional and the quality of the British performances were exceptional,” said Hall.

“It is testament to the programme in Manchester which is going from strength to strength.”