Muhammad Lutalo, a British citizen with Ugandan roots has won silver at the 3rd Edition of the Manchester World Taekwondo Grand Prix championship in the -80kg division.
The 24 year old easily overcame British rival Damon Sansum, World number one Mahdi Khodabakhshi in the semi-finals before a 16-6 loss to Oussama Oueslati in a one sided final.
As quoted by the BBC, Lutalo noted;
There are positives from today, but I’m disappointed with the final. Having missed the World Championships through injury it’s great to be back at the top winning medals, although next time it has to be gold.
For his silver, team Great Britain finished with three overall medals following earlier victories of Jade Jones’ gold in the -57 division and Bianca Walkden’s +67kg silver on Saturday.
Lutalo’s silver now pits him higher than Sansum, another Great Britain challenger in the -80 Kg category for the available slot of the Rio 2016 Olympics.
He believes he will make the grade in the season-ending World Taekwondo Grand Prix final in Mexico come November 2015.
I want to show everyone that I’m still the top athlete in GB. I enjoy the rivalry [with Sansum]. Unlike other rivalries I’ve had, this is built on respect and the best man for the job will get the Olympic place.
The Walthamstow based fighter in East London was trained by his father, Wayne Muhammad since the age of three.
Who is Muhammad Lutalo?
Full Names: Muhammad Lutalo
Date of Birth: 3rd June 1991
Parents: Wayne and Marcia Muhammad
Categories: -80 Kg & – 87 Kg
Education: Walthamstow schools South Grove primary, Holy Family Technology College and Middlesex University
Place of Birth: Walthamstow, England
Residence: Manchester, England
Height: 1.88m
Weight: 80 Kg
Current Club: Wayne Muhammad Taekwondo Club
Personal Honours: Gold (European Championships, 2012), Gold (Brussels Open -87 kg, 2010), Gold (2010 German Open), Silver (3rd Manchester World Taekwondo Grand Prix championship, 2015), Silver (German Open, 2012), Silver (2011 Dutch Open -87 kg), Bronze (2012 Dutch Open), Bronze (European Games, 2015 – 80Kg), Bronze (European Championship, 2014), Bronze (2011 National Championships), Bronze (2011 Croatian Open), Olympic Bronze Medal – 2012 Games, London, Bronze (2010 Spanish & Dutch Opens -80 kg), GLL Sports Foundation Award (2008), Middlesex University Sportsman of the Year (2011).
