Taekwondo star sets sights on Tokyo after winning silver medal

Taekwondo star Lauren Williams is preparing to “hit the ground running” at the re-arranged Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan this summer.

Earlier this month, Williams, 22, won a silver medal at the European Championships in Bulgaria.

She won three games at the competition, before a 13-10 defeat to Croatia’s Matea Jelic in the -67kg final.

The defeat meant Williams, from Blackwood, missed out on her third gold medal in what was her fourth European final.

She reached the final after an 18-8 win over former world champion and double Olympic medallist Nur Tatar, of Turkey, in the semi-finals.

Great Britain finished second behind Russia in the overall medal table at the competition.

After her defeat in the final, Williams said: “For the first 10 minutes or so after losing I was gutted.

“But I am really proud of myself for getting this far and for what I have achieved.

“My preparation was far from ideal but I still made the final and got major experience again under my belt.

“So I am happy and content with what I have done and there is so much more to work on which I am excited about.”

She added: “I came for gold but on reflection, I am more than happy.

“But I didn’t get to the ring alone. So, a huge thanks to my coach Mike Harvey and the guys you don’t see from strength and conditioning, physio and the psych team at GB Taekwondo.

“They were a massive support in the lead up to these championships.

“Now, it is time to go back, rest up and hit the ground running for the one when it really matters.”