Olympic bronze medallist Bianca Walkden was back to winning ways after a second successive gold in a month after beating Russian athlete Kristina Adebaio in the Riyadh Open.
The triple World Champion received a bye in the round of 16 and took to the stage in the quarter finals where she faced Italian fighter Maristella Smiraglia.
Walkden eased past Italy’s Smiraglia with a dominant display, pinning her opponent back and securing a 19-4 win, moving on to the semi-finals.
Spanish fighter Tania Castineira was Walkden’s next opponent as she looked to secure her place in the final.
The European champion began the battle strong by executing an accurate kick to the head, claiming three points to open the score.
Walkden continued to dominate with the strength of her left side kick as she kept the Spaniard off, leading the first round by 4-0.
The British fighter continued her fine form into round two with a strong right jab to Castineira’s body, earning herself yet another point.
The Spanish fighter was unable to defend Walkden’s powerful side kick with the bronze medallist extending her lead to 7-0.
Walkden once again used her powerful right jab to her advantage after Castineira left herself open following a turning kick to Walkden’s side.
Castineira had it all to do in the final round but the three-time European Champion demonstrated her professionalism by holding off the Spaniard to claim a dominating 13-0 and a place in the final.
Walkden began strong, getting a clean jab to opponent Adebaio’s chest to gain her first point in the opening round.
The Russian couldn’t hold Walkden off for long after the Olympian was able to use her strong left kick to claim three points through a head shot.
The ‘Queen B’ finished the round with a powerful punch to Adebaio’s chest, ending with a 5-0 advantage.
The second round began with Russia’s Adebaio attacking as she looked to claw it back but Walkden was able to defend her kicks and it was the bronze medallist who was able to get a clean kick off.
Walkden began to control the centre of the ring causing Adebaio to open herself up in a bid to attack the Olympian, but the Brit’s professionalism enabled her to counterattack and increase her lead by 10-0 at the end of round two.
Adebaio finally got her first two points on the board with a clean kick to Walkden’s side, but the European Champion quickly reclaimed the centre of the ring.
Walkden began to attack once again with a dummy side kick into a reverse turning kick but Adebaio was quick enough to react and duck out the way.
With one last attempt, Adebaio looked to strike a kick to the head but Walkden was equal to it and defended off the three points to claim a 10-3 win.
Speaking to World Taekwondo post fight, Walkden said: “it’s been unreal and it’s good that I’ve come back with a gold medal.
“I’m very proud of that but to do it here in the first women’s Championship in Saudi Arabia is history in itself, starting the next generation off for the future.
“It hasn’t been easy coming back from the Olympics and I think every athlete knows this and to come back and compete after such a major event is quite hard no matter how you do if you win or if you lose and for me I was really heartbroken.
“I couldn’t be more grateful and the venue was unreal and I can’t wait for the next one.”
Queen B once again reclaimed the gold for a second successive time within November and took home the victory in the Riyadh Open final.
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