And Muhammad, the last of Britain’s London 2012 taekwondo Olympians to return to action, can’t wait to end his temporary exile from the sport.

“It’s a long time since I have been in the ring, probably longer than I thought after the Games,” agreed the 21-year-old Manchester based, Londoner.

“The plan was to get back at the start of 2013, similar to Jade Jones.

“Unfortunately, I picked up a couple of injuries that needed to be taken care of.

“I have taken time to get them sorted out and I feel better for it; stronger than ever.”

Muhammad became Britain’s first ever male Olympic taekwondo medallist in the capital last August after beating Armenian Arman Yeremyan 9-3. It followed his European gold medal in Manchester earlier in the year.

Now, Muhammad hopes to add a World Championship medal to his collection in Mexico in July.

“This is likely to be the last tournament we go to before the Worlds,” explained Muhammad, stepping up from his -80kg Olympic weight to fight alongside 2013 Trelleborg Open champion, Damon Sansum at -87kg.

“And it will be a really tough field because a lot of countries are looking at the Spanish Open in the same way.

“But I am feeling very positive.We’ve had some Test matches in Manchester this week and things went well.

“I feel confident I can put in some good displays and while it’s not about medals and accolades, I guess I will see where that leads me.

“I have had my 15 minutes after the Olympics,” says the 2009 Spanish Open bronze medallist.

“But I am aware the Olympics were 2012 and I am really looking to 2013. The World Championships are the only thing on my mind right now.”

Olympic champion Jade Jones also has sights set on upgrading her 2011 World silver in a couple of months time.

After losing on her return to the mat in Sweden back in February, the Welsh teenager made amends by taking gold at the German Open.

Liverpudlian Martin Stamper and Ruebyn Richards from Nottingham also won their respective titles in Hamburg when the GB squad finished with six senior medals.

 SQUAD (All compete Saturday, May 4):

Men:

Amin Badr (-58kg, Brixton), Jordan Gayle (-63kg, Manchester), George Lee (Lewisham), Michael Harvey (Manchester), Martin Stamper, (Liverpool) (all -68kg), Ruebyn Richards (-74kg, Nottingham), Andrew Deer (-80kg, Tamworth), Lutalo Muhammad (Walthamstow), Damon Sansum, Elgin (both -87kg).

WOMEN:

Jade Jones (-57kg, Flint), Stephanie Allen (-73kg, Battersea), Bianca Walkden (+73kg, Liverpool).

Source: WTF

en.mastaekwondo.com

info@mastaekwondo.com

And Muhammad, the last of Britain’s London 2012 taekwondo Olympians to return to action, can’t wait to end his temporary exile from the sport.

“It’s a long time since I have been in the ring, probably longer than I thought after the Games,” agreed the 21-year-old Manchester based, Londoner.

“The plan was to get back at the start of 2013, similar to Jade Jones.

“Unfortunately, I picked up a couple of injuries that needed to be taken care of.

“I have taken time to get them sorted out and I feel better for it; stronger than ever.”

Muhammad became Britain’s first ever male Olympic taekwondo medallist in the capital last August after beating Armenian Arman Yeremyan 9-3. It followed his European gold medal in Manchester earlier in the year.

Now, Muhammad hopes to add a World Championship medal to his collection in Mexico in July.

“This is likely to be the last tournament we go to before the Worlds,” explained Muhammad, stepping up from his -80kg Olympic weight to fight alongside 2013 Trelleborg Open champion, Damon Sansum at -87kg.

“And it will be a really tough field because a lot of countries are looking at the Spanish Open in the same way.

“But I am feeling very positive.We’ve had some Test matches in Manchester this week and things went well.

“I feel confident I can put in some good displays and while it’s not about medals and accolades, I guess I will see where that leads me.

“I have had my 15 minutes after the Olympics,” says the 2009 Spanish Open bronze medallist.

“But I am aware the Olympics were 2012 and I am really looking to 2013. The World Championships are the only thing on my mind right now.”

Olympic champion Jade Jones also has sights set on upgrading her 2011 World silver in a couple of months time.

After losing on her return to the mat in Sweden back in February, the Welsh teenager made amends by taking gold at the German Open.

Liverpudlian Martin Stamper and Ruebyn Richards from Nottingham also won their respective titles in Hamburg when the GB squad finished with six senior medals.

 SQUAD (All compete Saturday, May 4):

Men:

Amin Badr (-58kg, Brixton), Jordan Gayle (-63kg, Manchester), George Lee (Lewisham), Michael Harvey (Manchester), Martin Stamper, (Liverpool) (all -68kg), Ruebyn Richards (-74kg, Nottingham), Andrew Deer (-80kg, Tamworth), Lutalo Muhammad (Walthamstow), Damon Sansum, Elgin (both -87kg).

WOMEN:

Jade Jones (-57kg, Flint), Stephanie Allen (-73kg, Battersea), Bianca Walkden (+73kg, Liverpool).

Source: WTF

en.mastaekwondo.com

info@mastaekwondo.com