By David Williams

Jade Jones has proved she is back to top form after winning taekwondo gold at the European Games 2023.

Wales double Olympic gold medalist defeated Hungary’s Luana Marton in the -57kg final on Saturday.

Denbighshire star Jones, who suffered a shock early exit in her bid for a third straight Olympic title in 2021, said: “It’s obviously been a long journey. Everyone knows it’s hard to stay on top.

“I’m getting older. People don’t understand how hard sport is, the rollercoaster of it. But I got gold so it’s just amazing. A couple of members of my family are here, too, which is the icing on the cake.”

https://twitter.com/TeamGB/status/1672879931313864704?s=20

The 30-year-old, who rose to prominence when she became Britain’s first-ever taekwondo gold medallist at London 2012, was in formidable form, winning both rounds of her final to secure her second European Games victory eight years after her first.

Jones began the day by defeating Iceland’s Ingibjorg Gretardottir in the round of 16 before winning her quarterfinal against Spain’s Arlet Ortiz Benito.

With all the action taking place on the same day, the 2012 and 2016 Olympic champion  disposed of Kristina Tomic of Croatia in the semis before winning the gold medal to add yet another title to her collection.

But with Paris 2024 just 14 months away, the Flint-raised athlete is back in formidable form as she sounded a warning shot to her rivals at the European Games.