Olympic Champion Jones Feels Mojo Rising After Dutch Triumph

March 19, 2014 Jade Jones has got her mojo back and is targeting a first European senior title after becoming Dutch Open champion last weekend. Revenge was sweet for the Olympic gold medallist in Eindhoven as she defeated Egyptian Hedaya Malek, her conqueror in last month's Luxor Open final. In the eagerly anticipated 'Battle of Britain' London 2012 bronze medallist, Lutalo Muhammad, narrowly lost to Aaron Cook in the -80kg weight division final. But World Grand Prix finalist Jones proved the star attraction, extending her lead at the top of the world rankings. "After the Olympics my form went a bit downhill," admitted the 21-yearold Manchester trained, Welsh star. "But I'm definitely back on track and enjoying training a lot more. "I just want to keep winning and I'm determined not to take my foot off the pedal," added Jones. "It's been a hard month with all the competitions and the travelling. I have never really done two competitions in a row. "I'm normally a fighter who peaks for the big events. But I have enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. "It's made me more relaxed when I get on the mat because it just feels normal. In the past I might have been more nervous because I had not

fought for ages. "But I have known exactly what to do and it has helped me a lot." After a gruelling schedule Jones won't compete before the European Championships taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan from May 1-5. "I am going to have six solid weeks training now before the Euros," she explained. "That's a big one for me even though all the ranking points I've won recently are nice. "The next aim is to become European champion," added the 2010 and 2012 bronze medallist. "Losing in Manchester (two years ago) was a downer but it probably proved a blessing in disguise." Muhammad and Cook are reigning Euro kings after their respective Manchester victories at -87kg and -80kg. This time they could be on a 80kg collision course. Denied an expected clash at the inaugural World Grand Prix last December, they finally went head-to-head in Eindhoven with Cook winning 10-8. "It's a really strong category for GB at the moment," agreed GB Performance Director, Gary Hall. "I am sure Lutalo will learn a lot from it as I am sure Aaron will. "They are going to meet quite a lot of times in the coming years and it will come down to who can deliver at the major events. "And it's great Brits (Muhammad, Cook and Damon Sansum) have won the -80kg title at the last five major events. We are fortunate to have that much depth of quality in this country." Liverpool's Bianca Walkden, quarter-final victor over team mate, Stephanie Allen, was Britain's other medallist. The recently crowned Bahrain Open champion finished with +73kg bronze after losing her semi-final to French rival, Gwladys Epangue.

"Bearing in mind we have been on a pretty heavy road trip recently in preparation for the Europeans, there were some really positive performances," added Hall. "But Jade was the stand out. It was a superb result and she just seems to be getting better." Former World silver medallist and reigning European champion, Michael Harvey, reached the last eight in -63kg while Wigan's Rachelle Booth (62kg) also made the quarters in her best performance since entering the GB Academy through the Fighting Chance 'Battle4Brazil' initiative. Ruebyn Richards, bidding for a third title in four tournaments after victories in Luxor and Fuijairah, reached the third round in the -68kg weight category before withdrawing with a minor foot injury. For further information contact:
Nick Kelly (GB Taekwondo) nick.kelly@gbtaekwondo.co.uk