Lauren Strikes First British Gold In Manchester

Lauren Williams captured GB Taekwondo’s first gold medal of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester.

The Blackwood battler avenged her defeat to Croatia’s Matea Jelic at the Moscow GP earlier this year with victory in the -67Kg final.

The 19-year-old won 15-9 collecting collected half of her points with punches.

Earlier Williams survived a major scare in her last 16 match against Jordan’s Julyann Al-Sadeq.

Williams shows off her gold medal from Manchester.

She trailed the 2018 Asian gold medallist 15-10 and 18-14 in the closing stages of the final round before recovering to win 22-20 with Al-Sadeq finally disqualified for excessive penalties.

“I have sat in the crowd here in Manchester before with its incredible atmosphere thinking how much I would love to compete here,” said Williams after her title win.

“I am finally here so it’s another goal ticked off. I have not had the best of runs in the Grand Prixs leading up to this.

“But this has been perfect to make me realise why I am here.“It’s not been a bad year but I always want better.

“I know there is so much more I can do. Again this is another step in the right direction.”