GB Champions meet and train with the Ultimate Champions
GB Taekwondo athletes Jade Jones MBE, Lutalo Muhammad and Bianca Walkden were joined yesterday (09/10) by Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) Rosi “The Surgeon” Sexton and Andy “The Little Axe” Ogle at a one-off session held at GB Taekwondo’s training gym in Newton Heath, Manchester.
Ahead of an action-packed sporting calendar taking place in the city this autumn/winter, the athletes got together to train ahead of their respective events and take tips from a different discipline in the hopes of honing new techniques to impress in their field this season.
Rosi Sexton, who is preparing to make history as she takes part in the first ever female bout in Europe this October when the UFC comes to Manchester on 26th, said of the training session with Jade and Bianca: “I’m a great believer in female participation in sport and both athletes are pioneers in women’s martial arts. Getting the chance to train one-to-one with the GB Taekwondo athletes, especially Jade as an Olympic Gold medallist, has definitely taught me a trick or two ahead of my competition this month.”
Olympic Bronze Medallist, Lutalo Muhammad, who shared the session with UFC’s Andy Ogle said; “I’m definitely a fan of the UFC so it was great to meet with Andy and show him some kicks – I hope they come in handy for his fight this month and I’ll be watching to see if any of the Taekwondo moves come out in his bout!”
The Taekwondo Grand Prix, part of UK Sport’s Gold Event and Manchester’s Major Sports Event series, will take place this December 13th – 15th at Manchester Central and will bring a host of global taekwondo athletes to the city to compete for international ranking points towards Rio 2016.
The UFC is returning to the UK on Saturday 26th October as Lyoto Machida takes on Mark Munoz at the *Phones4U Arena* in Manchester. Tickets are available now for both events from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
