County Durham athlete invited to join GB National Taekwondo team in Manchester

Congratulations to County Durham athlete Jamie Abley, who will enrol for action at Great Britain's National Academy in Manchester this weekend with 3 other students.

The quartet had their entry 'visas' stamped to the Newton Heath facility after impressing GB Performance Director Gary Hall at the BTCB National Championships last weekend.

And with Hall looking to widen the talent pool for London 2012, but also with stronger focus on Rio 2016 and beyond, they're unlikely to be the last recruits.

Juniors Jamie Abley (Chi Taekwondo), Amin Badr (Empsi TKD) and George Lee (Fusion TKD) won their respective weight categories at -55kg, -59 kg and -68kg. Abley also took part in the senior age group and struck gold in the -54kg division.

The talented trio will be joined by senior -80kg bronze medallist, Lutalo Muhammad, who will represent Britain at the World University Games in Shenzhen in August.

The 20-year-old Middlesex University psychology student lost his semi-final on a golden point to 2004 Athens Olympian, Craig Brown.

Muhammad (W Muhammads TKD) and -80kg gold medallist Andy Deer are expected to challenge Aaron Cook for Olympic selection next year.

Cook, the European champion, recently announced his decision to leave the World Class Performance programme to pursue a solo training regime.

"I'm pleased to see the four have accepted our invitation to join the programme," said Hall.

"Jamie, Amin and George will be working towards Rio which continues to be our focus even though we have London 2012 coming up next year.

"Lutalo is more advanced in his career and he has an opportunity to build on the undoubted promise he has.

"I was encouraged to see the growth in numbers at the Nationals and in terms of talent it was a good event.

"But that doesn't mean to say I don't want a wider pool to choose from.

"As a result we will be rolling out the 'Fighting Chance' initiative programme again with 2016 in mind."

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