Team GB’s taekwondo squad started their campaign in style earlier today as Jade Jones and Martin Stamper recorded a victory each to advance to the quarter-finals at the ExCeL Arena this afternoon.
Taekwondo has been part of the Olympic programme since Sydney 2000 and Team GB has a four-strong team bidding for success in London. Bouts are conducted in the form of three, two-minute rounds with an elimination format.
World silver medallist Jones (pictured above, second from left) started her -57kg campaign against Serbian Dragana Gladovic and the British fourth seed - a Gold medal winner at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010 - was in irresistible form as she marked her Olympic debut with an emphatic stoppage win by points gap.
The 19-year-old edged ahead in round one with a body shot before Gladovic equalised via the same method. Round two also belonged to Jones who scored a head shot for three points and a body shot in quick succession to move clear 5-1.
Jones never looked back as she registered two single point scores with body shots and started the third round by scoring a stinging headshot to take her commanding lead to 11-1.
A body shot and head kick took the score to 15-1 which saw Jones seal victory as a lead of 12 points or more immediately wins the bout via a points gap.
After the fight, Jones said: “The points were going on really good, my plan was good and the tactics were perfect.
“I have the Japanese [Mayu Hamada] in the next round, I was expecting the Croatian to go through but I’ve studied all of them and I’ll go though the tactics again.
“I’m feeling strong and as fit as ever. It’s just about whether I am mentally on it now, and hopefully I’ll have a bit of luck along the way.”
And Jones knows the crowd support is as important as ever to see her on her way to victory. “The crowd were amazing, people shouting my name and the atmosphere is amazing,” she said.
“It’s crazy to have 8,000 people all on your side. I would have never expected such an incredible atmosphere.”
Jones will be back in action against Hamada at 15.30.
Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
