It’s all eyes on Rio for OIympic champion Jade Jones after she finished the year on a high with a bronze medal at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Finals in Mexico City.
Jones has already secured a quota spot for Team GB in Brazil but showed no signs of complacency as she saw off Sweden’s Nikita Glasnovic to finish third.
The 22-year-old will finish the year top of the world rankings but lost out in the semi-final to Egypt’s Hedaya Malak – who went on to claim the gold medal.
But Jones was far-from disappointed at missing out on top spot after a year that has seen her claim European Games gold and get the better of long-time rival Eva Calvo Gomez.
“I have had a busy but great year winning seven golds in nine events which shows I can win at any level,” said Jones.
“I am also proud to finish the year as world number one and I will now concentrate on making more improvement’s so I can be at my very best, if selected, when the Rio Games comes around.”
Elsewhere world champion Bianca Walkden lost out in the last eight to China’s Shuyin Zheng who then went on to clinch gold at +67kg.
Despite defeat the 24-year-old was upbeat having already sealed a spot for Britain in Rio with her performances earlier in the year.
“I am thrilled to have qualified a spot for the Rio Olympics particularly with the year I have had when most of it was about coming back from injuries,” said Walkden.
“I am now going to give my all to make sure I can prepare to be the best I can be for next year and hopefully Olympic selection.”
Results in Mexico mean Team GB are guaranteed three spots at Rio 2016 after Lutalo Muhammad claimed victory earlier in the competition.
Sportsbeat 2015