Jade Jones says she had Rio in her mind as the Olympic champion claimed her first Grand Prix title of the season – finally beating world number one Eva Calvo Gomez in the process.
Jones headed to Mexico having lost in the past three -57kg taekwondo Grand Prix finals to her 23-year-old rival.
However this time she raced to a 7-0 lead and while Gomez pulled it back to 7-3, Jones was able to hold on and see out the victory.
“It’s amazing to have finally won the Grand Prix,” said Jones.
“Eva is a great opponent and we’ve had some great battles. I always find her awkward and difficult and it’s affected me in the past, more than it should have.
“But I’ve kept telling myself to relax, to enjoy myself more and to think of Rio as the main aim and that helped me.
"It’s great to finish the year on such a high and I can’t wait to go home and celebrate with my family and friends.”
Elsewhere London 2012 bronze medallist Lutalo Muhammad fell at the quarter-final stage to eventual silver medallist Mehdi Khodabakhshi and Mahama Cho came close to making it to the semi finals but was edged out by Iranian Sayyad Mardani.
“I absolutely gave it everything” said Cho. “Perhaps I made a couple of mistakes and I should have gone at him when he was down.
“It’s a shame I couldn’t medal but it’s been a great year and I’ve got a lot to aim for in 2015.”
© Sportsbeat 2014