"It is really sad news and hard to put into words," said Great Britain's Lutalo Muhammad, winner of the under 80 kilogram title.

"My thoughts go out to his family.

"I think I speak for everyone on the GB team who fought after what happened that every fight was dedicated to him.

"However, all the Turkish team made it quite clear he would have wanted us to fight on."

Great Britain's Olympic bronze medallist Lutalo Muhammad said that every fight at the Luxor Open was dedicated to Seyithan Akbalik after the young Turk died following his fight on Sunday ©Getty Images



Akbalik collapsed during his match against a Slovenian player in the men's under 63kg category at the Luxor Open in Egypt.

He was immediately taken to hospital.

After doctors failed to resuscitate him, it was confirmed the 21-year-old had died while in hospital and was set to have his body flown home to Turkey.

"It is a sad time for the sport and on behalf of the GB team, as well as British Taekwondo and its members; we offer our sincere condolences to the family of Seyithan Akbalik and all those close to him," a spokesperson for GB Taekwondo said.

Despite the tragedy, organisers decided the event could continue with London 2012 bronze medallist Muhammad, and Nottingham-born Ruebyn Richards, picking up a gold apiece for a strong British contingent.

Muhammad beat fellow Briton Damon Sansum to claim the men's under 81kg title, with Richards triumphing over local favourite Ghofran Zaki to secure gold in the men's under 68kg event.

The strong British team won 10 medals in total, with Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones in the under 57kg, Jordan Gayle under 63kg and 2013 World Grand Prix champion Mahama Cho over 87kg all securing silvers in their respective weight categories.

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