Doncaster’s Bradly Sinden strikes European gold

Bradly Sinden (centre) on the -68kg podium

Bradly Sinden marked his return to action with a first tournament win since May 2019 to round off a medal laden two days for British fighters at the Open European Club Championships in Croatia.

But the world champion from Doncaster won’t rest on his laurels after impressing on his comeback.

Sinden, 22, defeated Israel’s Nimrod Krivishkiy 26-19 in the final of the -68kg title division.

Earlier he defeated Krivishkiy’s compatriot, Omry Azulay 40-10 in the quarter-finals and Croatia’s Deni Andrun Razic 29-10 in the semi-finals.

Sinden’s success, his first since becoming world champion in Manchester, helped the eight-strong GB Taekwondo squad claim the award as second most successful team.

“I had three good fights and to come away with gold after 11 months without a tournament is very pleasing,” said the happy Yorkshireman.

“I have worked on a number of things during that time. Now I know what works and what areas still need improvement.

“I am really happy with the performances as I applied my targets against some strong opponents.

“But it is straight back into training now. I will use the information I have gained to set out what I will be working on to develop in the future.”

London heavyweight Jonathan Bangura claimed Britain’s sixth medal of the two-day event in Zagreb.

He finished with bronze after losing 21-15 to Turkey’s Emre Kutalmis Atesli in the semi-finals of the +87kg tournament.