Three previous Grand Prix final defeats plus a European Championship gold medal loss were forgotten as Jones, 21, overcame the world number one 7-3 in Queretaro.

“I always find Eva awkward and it has affected me in the past, probably more than it should have done,” said the Manchester based, Flint born fighter after her -57kg success”.

“But I kept telling myself to relax, enjoy myself more and to think of Rio 2016 as the main aim. That helped me,” confirmed Jones who led 7-0 before Gomez, 23, bidding to keep her unbeaten Grand Prix record intact, gained three consolation points.

Happily for the British ace there was no further comeback to rule out previous golden point heartbreak against her taller and older opponent.

“It’s amazing to have finally won the Grand Prix” confirmed Jones. “Eva is a great opponent and we’ve had some great battles”.

“But I really took it to her this time. And I was so pleased with the Mexican crowd,” she explained. “They cheered so loudly when I won both of my video appeals and that made me even more positive.

“It’s great to finish the year on such a high. I can’t wait to go home and celebrate with family and friends.”

Earlier, Jones thrillingly overcame Sweden’s Nikita Glasnovic 4-3 in her quarter-final after trailing going into the last few seconds of their bout.

Japan’s Mayu Hamada was brushed aside 5-2 in the semi-finals to avenge the Welsh star’s 2013 World Championship last eight defeat.

Then came the world number two’s historic win over Gomez. Jones’s victory was worth 80 ranking points plus a $6,000 first prize.

GB Taekwondo team mates, Mahama Cho and Lutalo Muhammad, left Mexico empty handed. However, heavyweight Cho was unlucky to lose a spectacular quarter-final 13-11 to Iranian, Sayyad Mardani.

Cho, a three-time Grand Prix medallist, floored his opponent in the second round with a reverse shot that sent Mardani’s head guard spinning. The Londoner was convinced Mardani would be counted out only for the fight to continue.

Cho landed another head shot in the third but the Iranian hung on for victory. “I gave it everything” he said.

“I thought the referee should have stopped the fight when I caught him with the reverse. I’ve been working on that in training and it was spot on.

“Perhaps he got the benefit of the doubt but I don’t like using excuses. He’s a great opponent and credit where it’s due.

“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.”

London 2012 bronze medallist, Lutalo Muhammad, also bowed out in the last eight losing 20-10 against

Mardani’s compatriot and silver medallist, Mehdi Khodabakhshi. “Unfortunately I made some mistakes which proved very costly,” admitted the ‘Walthamstow Warrior.’

“If you do that at this level the opponent can run away with the match. It was difficult then because I was always chasing the match.

“I am still staying positive though and hopefully 2015 will be a successful one for me. Next year is a big year because it is the last one before the Olympics.”

 

MasTKD Team

Source:  GB Taekwondo
masTKD
info@mastaekwondo.com