Welsh Wonder Williams Makes History With Second World Junior Crown

Lauren Williams has made history by defending her World Junior Taekwondo title to continue her stunning run of success.

The Blackwood ace showed why Wales could have two gold medal contenders at the Tokyo Olympics.

Williams is on course to join double Games champ Jade Jones as an Olympic great in 2020.

The 17-year-old Welsh wonder crushed Russia’s Polina Khan 13-4 in the -68kg final in Canada to repeat her success of two years earlier.

Williams dropped just six points in her six bouts racking up 76 in reply while four of her opponents were dispatched before full distance.

The former kickboxer’s victory comes on top of her European senior title this year as well as wins in Greece and Poland.

Having been reserve for Bianca Walkden for Rio, Williams will surely be on the plane to Japan given her rate of progress.

Williams stamped her authority on the final straight from the off with a three-point head shot.

However, the Russian successfully appealed and the points were withdrawn for kicking a downed opponent.

Williams simply stepped up her attacks and finished the first round 3-2 in front.

The one-point gap became three at the end of the penultimate round and from 7-4 at the start of round three she pulled away to take the next six points in another brilliant masterclass.

Williams stopped Croatia’s Kristina Cerina in the semi-finals by a 17-2 margin.

In her first three fights she whitewashed Roman Torres of Puerto Rico, Norway’s Eliza Haugen and Nian En Cai of Chinese Taipei.

Results:
-68kg Lauren Williams
1st Round: Beat Naishka Roman Torres PUR 15-0 (points gap)
2nd Round: Beat Eliza Frazier Haugen NOR 15-0 (points gap)
QF: Beat Nian En Cai TPE 16-0 (points gap)
SF: Beat Kristina Cerina  CRO 17-2 (points gap)
Final: Beat Polina Khan RUS 13-4