Mahama Cho made a stunning comeback from injury to win Great Britain's first bronze at the World Taekwondo World Grand Prix in Chinese Taipei.
The 29-year-old, who was ruled out of the 2018 European Championships with a knee ligament injury, narrowly missed out on a spot in the final with a 9-2 loss against 2017 World Championship silver medallist Vladislav Larin.
Cho, who also won a silver medal at 2017 World Championships, was delighted by his run to the over 80kg final that saw the two-time Grand Prix winner knock out reigning World Champion Alexander Bachmann.
“I am ecstatic to be back on the podium,” said the Londoner.
“I know with my capabilities. I can do much more.
“But I am happy knowing the training and the rehab I’ve done has gone well.
“It’s great to fight the best fighters in the world and still be able to perform. I just need a bit more match fitness to say I am ready to contend again.”
There was disappointment elsewhere for Great Britain, with reigning European champion Christian McNeish losing 22-13 to Iranian Mirhashem Hosseini in the -68kg quarter-finals, while Bradly Sinden suffered a 38-21 loss to Lee Dae-Hoon.
And 19-year-old Lauren Williams completed a hattrick of quarter-final losses as she bowed out to South Korea’s Jan-Di Kim, losing 13-6 in the last eight of the women’s -67 kg category.
Double Olympic champion Jade Jones and Olympic bronze medallist Bianca Walkden go for gold in Taoyuan on Thursday.
Picture credit: GB Taekwondo
Sportsbeat 2018