BLACKWOOD’S Lauren Williams bowed out of her first senior World Taekwondo Championships after reaching the quarter-finals in Muju, South Korea.

The 18-year-old won two fights before losing 31-22 to China’s Mengyu Zhang in the last eight of the -67kg weight division.

However, that doesn't tell the whole story, as with 10 seconds left of the bout Williams was leading 21-20.

A late onslaught from Zhang left Williams stunned and the Welsh fighter went from being one point in front to trailing by nine at the end.

Williams was making her debut at the event after twice being crowned world junior champion.

She began her campaign in Asia with a 29-7 defeat of the Ivory Coast’s Marie Frederique Ekpitini, though the teenager’s next encounter was a lot closer.

In fact, the clash against Greece’s Athanasia Mitsopoulou went all the way to a ‘golden point’ after the scores were level at 21-21.

Williams held her nerve to set-up a meeting with Zhang, striking first in overtime to win 23-21.