TRELLEBORG OPEN0

Bianca Walkden and Damon Sansum Struck Gold on the Final Day

Bianca Walkden extended her unbeaten tournament run to four as she and team mate Damon Sansum struck gold on the final day of the Trelleborg Open in Sweden.


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Liverpudlian Walkden dropped only six points on her way to adding another title to her 2012 successes at the Croatian, Swiss and French Opens.

 

Sansum, a winner of last season’s German Open, has since stepped up from -80 to -87kg and showed the extra weight hasn’t diminished his powers.

 

With Ruebyn Richards taking bronze in Sansum‘s former category, Britain finished the event with seven senior medals.

 

However, it was another frustrating day for Olympic champion, Jade Jones. The 19-year-old from Wales had hoped to fight in the -62kg division after suffering an early exit at -57kg the previous day.

 

Instead, tournament officials wouldn’t allow her to enter another weight class, resulting in a long day of speculating.

 

Jones saw Walkden cruise to three effortless victories at +73kg, including a 10-2 final win over Austrian Edina Kurtovic.

 

“It was an easy day,” quipped the happy 21-year-old who also beat Sweden’s Sara Zederfeld and Violeta Babic of Serbia. “Somehow, I don’t think it will be as easy at the World Championships later this year.

“But I am really pleased to win another tournament.

“I am full of confidence and hopefully I can win a few more before we get to Mexico in July.”

 

Sansum, 25 from Elgin was also delighted with his latest success, including a 13-3 final win over Djordje Marcetic of Serbia.

 

By his own admission still learning the ropes of WTF-style taekwondo since entering the GB programme via the Fighting Chance initiative, the former world kick boxing champion, said:”I probably should have won more medals.

 

“I know I am fitter, stronger and more agile than some of the guys who have beaten me in the past.

“But I am still learning the tricks of the trade. Once I do that I am sure I will be more consistent.

“That’s my goal for the rest of the year,” added Sansum. Richards from Nottingham came close to making the -80kg final, losing his semi-final on golden point to Bosnian Armin Gredic.

 

The 12-strong squad fly home tomorrow (Monday) to prepare for the German Open in Hamburg on March 9-10.

 

Trelleborg Open Roll Honour

 

Gold:

Bianca Walkden (+73kg), Damon Sansum (-87kg)

 

Silver:

Asia Bailey (-46kg)

 

Bronze:

Georgia Barnes (-49kg), Michael Harvey (-68kg), George Lee (-68kg), Ruebyn Richards (-80kg).

 

 

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