By Tom Prosser
Welsh Taekwondo star Beth Munro will return to action next month for the first time since winning silver at the recent Tokyo Paralympics.
The 28-year-old will be in action at the World Para Taekwondo Championships and will be targeting yet another medal to add to her collection.
For Munro, the Turkish event from December 11-12 will be her first worlds after a whirlwind introduction to the sport over the past 12 months.
The 28-year-old made history by winning Britain’s first-ever para-taekwondo medal, quickly followed by teammate Truesdale’s own podium success.
“I am so happy to be back into the swing of things, training and getting ready for my first Para Worlds,” said Munro, who is from Liverpool but qualifies for Wales through her Welsh mother.
“It is so exciting leading on from the silver medal I won at the Paralympics.
“I am incredibly determined and focused. Hopefully, this time I can come away with a gold medal,” said Munro, beaten by Denmark’s Lisa Gjessing in the final of the K44, -58kg weight division.
But, fellow Welsh fighter, Matt Bush is still on the recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury after cruelly being ruled out of the Paralympics.
New knee, knew me.
A few weeks post surgery and I’m on the mend, it’s a long process ahead and I’m looking forward to the improvements. #knee #rehab #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/UAM0PKBF7w— matt bush (@mattbush1) September 21, 2021
However, some of Munro’s Team GB team-mate’s also return to action.
Londoner Joe Lane, 23, who was called-up as Bush’s Paralympic replacement is determined to win his first major medal after making his debut at the worlds two years ago.
“I can’t wait to get fighting at a new weight,” said Lane. “After the buzz of my first Paralympics, this is another opportunity to showcase my skills, so I am extremely excited.
“This is also the beginning of a new cycle towards the Paris 2024 Paralympics, so it is important I maximise all chances to show what I am capable of and to pick up ranking points.”
While this is Munro’s world championship debut, Amy Truesdale, from Chester is aiming for a hat-trick of world titles having struck gold in 2014 and 2017.
She also took bronze at Tokyo 2020, shrugging off a semi-final defeat to defeat Iranian Rayeheh Shahab in the K44, +58kg repechage.
“I know what it means to Bianca Walkden to be a three-time world champion,” said experienced Truesdale. “But I am not putting myself under any extra pressure.
“It’s a new weight for me so that will bring new challenges. But it’s great to be back in competition and I will be trying my hardest as I always do.”