Sunday 18 October 2015 10:30, UK
Jade Jones emphatically underlined her status as world No 1 with victory in the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester on Saturday night.
The London 2012 gold medallist saw off a series of top-quality opponents before clinching the -57kg title with a stunning 14-4 final win over world No 2 Eva Calvo Gomez.
Jones, who has already qualified for Rio next year, stormed back from an early 0-4 deficit to score three head kicks in quick succession and seal her first home win since her Olympic triumph.
"When you're competing on home soil you always feel that little bit more pressure but I was determined that I wasn't going to come away with a silver medal," said Jones.
"I had a bit of a dip after London but since then I've been getting better and better. Physically I'm 100 times better and it is a case of just improving mentally for Rio."
Jones had had overcome Iran's Kimia Zenoorin - who controversially beat her in the World Championships earlier this year - and Korea's tough Sohee Kim in style to book her final place.
She added: "Today is one of the first days in a while where I've felt really strong and was enjoying it instead of just surviving. I felt like I was getting back to how I used to be."
But there was final disappointment for Bianca Walkden, who had to settle for silver after a golden point defeat to China's Shuyin Zheng in the +67kg category.
Walkden had squeezed into her final with a dramatic sudden death win over world No 1 Milica Mandic, but was denied in the final by a late head shot.
Walkden struggled to contain her disappointment despite a performance which has significantly boosted her hopes of sealing qualification for Rio next year.
She said: "I'm devastated that it went to sudden death and it was a head shot but these things happen and hopefully they happen for a reason.
"After coming back from my knee problem I am still only at 80 per cent so hopefully I can continue to improve and achieve my main goal of reaching Rio next year."
