ASIA MAKES DREAM TAEKWONDO DEBUT FOR TEAM GB AT WORLD GRAND PRIX SCOTTISH taekwondo rising star Asia Bailey has been selected for the first time for the British team fighting at the World Grand Prix in Manchester later this month. Asia (16), from Larbert, makes her dream debut in a 14-strong squad that also features Olympic champion Jade Jones and London 2012 bronze medallist Lutalo Muhammad. In total, 250 of the world’s best players will gather for the three-day event after series stop-offs in China and Kazakhstan. Asia said: “I’m delighted to be selected for the Grand Prix in Manchester this month. I think it will be a great experience for me, especially because of my age, and I will be up against the world’s best players. It will be interesting to see how far I get and I’m looking forward to just enjoying the event and having the support of a home crowd.” Her Dad is Seventh Dan David Bailey, Event Director of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships taking place in Edinburgh next month. He said: This will be Asia’s biggest challenge yet – competing against world and Olympic champions! At still only 16, she will not be expected to be amongst the medallists so there is no pressure. I’m sure she will do her very best as always and once again make us very proud.” Taekwondo Scotland Chairman Dr Bill Darlington said:This is great news. It would be easy to claim this as a result for Scotland and she is a credit to her family, coaches and club, but this is a triumph for Asia, for her abilities and for her dedication. GB Performance Director Gary Hall said: “It will be the strongest field ever assembled this year. The Grand Prix have become so important because of qualification points towards Rio 2016 and are massive dates in the calendar.” Asia, Scotland’s 2014 European bronze medallist, will compete in the -49kg category. Other Scots in the squad are Damon Sansum from Elgin and Lyle Walker from Law. This latest World Taekwondo Grand Prix is part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series and is staged in partnership with Manchester City Council, GB Taekwondo and the World Taekwondo Federation. It takes place in Manchester October 24-26. Mexico will host the season-ending Grand Prix Final in Queretaro in December. Sandwiched between the two are the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships at Meadowbank where Asia and Jade, if injury-free, are sure to be star attractions. Its the first time the Games have been held in Scotland. Over 500 athletes from around the world will converge on the capital for the two-day event.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 11:47:06 +0000
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