Bianca Walkden is now targeting the only major taekwondo title missing from her collection – Olympic gold – after retaining her European crown in Montreux, Switzerland.
Walkden beat Turkey’s Nafia Kus 5-4 in a hard-fought +73kg final to become a two-time champion of Europe.
Also the reigning world champion, the Brit has qualified a place for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this summer and acknowledges that her success at the Salle Omnisports Perrier bodes well for her preparations.
The 24-year-old did hand Kus a couple of points in warning but decisively saw the fight out in the closing stages.
And she claims that despite a slight moment of doubt in the build-up to the final, going back-to-back as European champion is an incredibly special feeling.
“I feel really honoured to even be here and compete, so for me to do it the second time in a row is great,” said Walkden.
“It’s really nice to be reigning World and European champion and hopefully I can go to the Olympics and become Olympic champion now.
“The plan is to get gold in Rio and hopefully I can go out there and deliver that gold medal.
“My preparations are going well but I had a little cry before I came out for my final because I was panicking a little bit.
“It happens but I went out there and did the job and now I’m World and European champion.”
Sportsbeat 2016