Three of GB Taekwondo’s most experienced fighters have been selected to represent ParalympicsGB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games this summer.
Amy Truesdale and Beth Munro both claimed medals when Para taekwondo made its debut at Tokyo 2020 – the pair will travel to the French capital alongside Games debutant Matt Bush, who missed out on competing in Japan due to injury.
Three-time world champion and Paralympic bronze medallist Truesdale, who successfully reclaimed her global title in Mexico last year, said: “I am delighted to be selected for my second Paralympic Games. I am going into the Games in a very good position and am looking forward to showcasing Para taekwondo to the world!”
Liverpool athlete Munro only joined the GB Taekwondo performance programme in the lead up to the Tokyo Games, before going on to secure ParalympicsGB’s first ever Para taekwondo medal when she won silver in Tokyo. The 30-year-old former netball player said: “I am honoured and proud to have been selected to represent my country in my second Paralympic Games. I’m grateful to all those who have supported me on this journey and am very excited to be competing in Paris!”
Two-time world champion Bush – a former shot putter – meanwhile heads to Paris for his first Paralympic Games. The Welshman said: “It’s a big moment to be selected to represent ParalympicsGB at the Paris 2024 Games and I’m doing all I can to ensure I will represent the country and sport well.”
Andy Paton, Team Leader for Para taekwondo, said: “Our Paralympic Games team sets a high bar with the three selected athletes performing at the very top of the sport. Matt and Amy go to the Games as world champions and Beth as Tokyo Games silver medallist, so medal success in Paris is not just our hope but our plan. I am proud to be the Team Leader for Para taekwondo at Paris 2024 and following the success of our first experience at the Tokyo Paralympics we are all very excited to be part of what will be a huge celebration of Paralympic sport.”
ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome our trio of Para taekwondo athletes to the ParalympicsGB team for Paris 2024. Amy and Beth excelled on their Paralympic debut at the rescheduled Tokyo Games three years ago, and I’m so pleased for Matt that he will now be able to join them on the biggest stage of all and showcase his incredible talent at the Paralympic Games this summer.”
A total of around 230 athletes from 19 sports are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Paris, with further names to be announced by ParalympicsGB in the next few weeks. At Tokyo 2020 ParalympicsGB won medals across a record breaking 18 different sports – the highest number of any nation ever. Paralympics GB finished second on the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze.
Para taekwondo squad
Female
-65kg Beth Munro
+65kg Amy Truesdale
Male
+80kg Matt Bush
With thanks to Paralympics GB
