Lauren Williams claimed the scalp of a taekwondo world champion on her way to bronze at the World Grand Prix in Rome despite a hamstring tear.

The Blackwood fighter beat Ruth Gbagbi on golden point after another battle with her Ivory Coast rival in the -67kg category.

But the double European champs hopes of adding another gold were dashed after she lost 23-11 defeat to France’s Weit Henin in the semi-final.

Williams suffered the hamstring injuries while defending her European title and it has restricted her training.

The 19-year-old said: “I am gutted.

“I had two strong performances in the last 16 and the quarter-finals though I started off poorly.

“On reflection, it has been a decent day considering the restriction I have had in training due to a couple of hamstring injuries.

“I am looking forward now to some time off. Now is the perfect chance to re-charge, rest-up and get ready for later in the season.”

Two-time Olympic champ Jade Jones will be in action in the -57Kg category on Saturday.

The Flint fighter has claimed a staggering 13 Grand Prix medals, since her first in 2013, including golds in London and the Ivory Coast last year.

Jones, like her fellow Welsh fighter Williams a double European champ, is the No 1 seed for the Rome tournament and has been handed a first round bye.