By Paul Osborne at the Manchester Central Convention Complex

Great Britain's Mahama Cho wins gold at the inaugural World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester ©Paul Osborne/ITGDecember 13 - Great Britain's Mahama Cho set Manchester Central alight this evening as he became the first World Grand Prix champion in the over 80 kilogram category with a dramatic victory again Brazil's Guilherme Felix.


Two points to one down in the closing seconds of the final, Cho's opponent was penalised with a second warning penalty, Kyong-go, levelling the tie at two points apiece and moving it through to a sudden death stage.

With the crowd firmly behind him, 24-year-old Cho landed a superb punch to the Brazilian's hogu - the protective vest worn by competitors - giving him the golden point and the first men's gold medal in this inaugural Grand Prix event.

"It feels fantastic and I'm really grateful to my family and GB Taekwondo for all of their support," said Cho.

"Now I want to be number one in taekwondo."

Cho celebrates with his coach following his victory in the 80kg final of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester ©ITGCho celebrates with his coach following his victory in the 80kg final of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester ©Paul Osborne/TG



Cho, born in the Ivory Coast moving to London when he was seven, fought emphatically all day quickly becoming a crowd favourite.

He met French athlete, and good friend, M'Bar N'Diaye in the quarter-finals, edging through with a sudden death victory after a thrilling contest that had ended 9-9.

His semi-final match against South Korea's 2008 Olympic champion Dongmin Cha, looked to be a close one as the first round ended with not a single point on the board.

Things quickly changed in the second as Cho landed an immediate kick to the head opening the floodgates for a thrilling two rounds of fighting.

The two competitors exchanged blow-for-blow for much of the second round before Cho took the initiative and began dominating the encounter, eventually coming out a 14-7 winner following a couple of remarkable headshots in the closing stages of the final round.

Spain's Enrique put in a dominant performance to win the first title of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix today in Manchester ©ITGSpain's Enrique put in a dominant performance to win the first title of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix today in Manchester ©Paul Osborne/ITG



The first final of the evening saw Spain's under 49kg Olympic silver medallist Brigida Yague Enrique triumph over South Korea's Sohui Kim to take the first ever World Taekwondo Grand Prix title.

The Spaniard got off to good start landing a couple of early body shots to gain a two point advantage.

The contest became a relatively subdued affair after that with neither athlete able to land a telling blow.

Enrique managed to extend her lead in the closing stages of the second round in an otherwise scoreless second period.

To the relief of the growing crowd, action came to life again in the third as Kim attempted to pull herself back into contention; however her relentless pursuit for a point left her vulnerable for the counter, a point not lost on the Spaniard.

With each attempt to catch Enrique off guard, the Olympic silver medallist struck back, landing blow after blow to give her a commanding 9-1 advantage and leading her to the first gold medal of the night.

An explosive final 20 seconds saw Russia's Olga Ivanov triumph over South Korea's Lee in the 67kg final ©ITGAn explosive final 20 seconds saw Russia's Olga Ivanov triumph over South Korea's Lee in the 67kg final ©Paul Osborne/ITG



The second final saw Russian world champion Olga Ivanova take on South Korea's Injong Lee in the women's over 67kg category.

The opening two rounds were again very subdued with neither competitor wanting to leave an opening for the other.

Things continued this way for the majority of the contest before an explosive final 20 seconds saw Ivanova strike twice to edge past the South Korean by two points to one.

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