Jade Jones in good form for Rio with European taekwondo crown
By Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 21/05/16 12:41pm
Jade Jones stepped up her bid to defend her Olympic taekwondo title in Rio after becoming European champion in Montreux on Friday.
The Flint 23-year-old beat Sweden's Nikita Glasnovic 11-5 in a one-sided final to take gold, having previously earned two bronze medals and one silver in the continental event.
A quick start gave Jones a three-point advantage and a trademark head shot early in the second doubled her lead and effectively sealed the contest against one of her chief rivals for the Olympic crown.
Jones said: "The road to Rio has been harder than it was for London so to tick that off my list and be European champion as well, I feel on top of the world.
"I'm just buzzing with how I performed as well. I was so relaxed in the ring instead of stressing out.
"I feel like this was mentally tougher than the European Games last year in Baku. I didn't really know much about it but with this, it's something I've really wanted to win for a long time.
"Defending my Olympic title is going to be hard but I believe I can win it and I've just got to do it on the day."
Jones is one of four Great Britain taekwondo athletes to have already secured their places in Rio. Lutalo Muhammad, Bianca Walkden and Mahama Cho are due to compete in Montreux this weekend.
