BLACKWOOD’S Lauren Williams is aiming for gold at this weekend's taekwondo Manchester Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old won her second European title in Russia in May and took bronze at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Rome the following month despite being hampered by a double hamstring tear.

Williams, who also won the London Grand Prix in 2017, has had an injury-affected season but hopes she can perform when it matters tonight.

“I’ve never competed in the Manchester Grand Prix before but it’s literally right on our doorstep.

We live 10 minutes away from the venue and I used to go and sit in the crowd. It’s an incredible experience.

I used to think ‘this is a crazy atmosphere, I’d love to be involved’ and fortunately I am this year.

Last year it was in London and I managed to get a gold but this year it’s in Manchester so hopefully I can repeat my performance.

I’ve had ups and downs this season. It’s been a bit of a bumpy ride with injuries but that’s the nature of the sport.

Preparation hasn’t been amazing – as usual for me – but I go into every competition the same so hopefully my performance won’t change.

Williams first made an impact on the senior stage when winning her maiden European crown in Switzerland in 2016.

Since then she has been successful on a regular basis, with a breakthrough gold at the World Grand Prix in London last October one of several highlights.

Having gone to the 2016 Olympics in Rio as a reserve for Bianca Walkden, Williams is hungry to take her place alongside the world’s best in Japan in 2020.

And she wants to match fellow Welsh star Jade Jones' two Olympic golds.

“The road to Tokyo began for me the day I stepped into the academy in Manchester,” she said.

“Every step now is a step towards Tokyo. I want to achieve as much as Jade has.”