LAUREN Williams has the potential to become a leading light in world taekwondo, according to fellow Welsh fighter and double Olympic champion Jade Jones.

Blackwood’s Williams, 18, clinched her first World Grand Prix title on Friday, clinching -67kg gold in London with an emphatic 43-23 defeat of the Ivory Coast’s Ruth Gbagbi.

And Jones, 24, who struck gold at the CopperBox Arena 24 hours after Williams triumphed, believes that her younger teammate can really go far in the sport.

“Lauren’s going from strength to strength and is such a great fighter,” she told BBC Sport.

“She’s already beating some of the best out there and is going to continue improving and be one of the greatest fighters in her division.

“She’s a top fighter – relentless, so strong, doesn’t fear anyone and really pushes us all the time.

“Her opponents probably don’t want to be there as she just keeps coming.

“She gives it her all and does the same with us in the gym, which is definitely improving us all.

“She’s definitely one to watch in the future.”

Jones wasn’t alone in singing the praises of former European champion Williams, who has also won two junior world titles.

GB Taekwondo performance director Gary Hall hailed Britain’s most successful World Grand Prix – three golds, one silver and one bronze were won in all – and Williams’ displays.

And Hall reckons that there is still plenty to come from the Gwent star.

He said: “The quality of the field was exceptional and the quality of the British performances were exceptional.

“It is testament to the programme in Manchester which is going from strength to strength.

“We have built our system top down and it’s not always the best way.

“But as a result of being successful we have achieved more investment and built a development programme that brought the likes of Bradly (Sinden) through and introduced the Fighting Chance initiative that brought Lauren through.

“Lauren was outstanding and she was involved in one of the fights of the tournament.

“She has always had a clear mission on what she wants to achieve. Her family backed it and we have backed it.

“The really exciting bit is she is 70 per cent of what she can be.

"She will be even better.”