Woolley pleased with podium place on his return

JACK WOOLLEY will be hoping he can build on his bronze medal win at the European Presidents Cup in Albania when he re-joins his team mates for next month’s Sofia Open.

The South Dublin Taekwondo star made a strong start in the -58kg class of last week’s G2 competition, beating Russia’s Maksim Osin 18-3 in his opening contest.

That set him up for a clash with Sebastien Alesio of France, whom he despatched from the tournament in emphatic style to secure his berth in the quarter finals.

There he faced off against Turkey’s Deniz Dagdelen in clash he won 38-21 to progress to the last four where he met another Russian, Georgii Gurtsiev.

It was there that his campaign drew to a close as he shipped an agonising one-point defeat at the hands of the eventual gold medallist.

Nevertheless, Woolley was pleased with his return to competitive action saying “It was good to be back in the ring for the first time since November.

“Some little setbacks at the start of the year, but glad to have pushed through and we are back on the podium” he added.

Leroy Nsilu Dilandu beat former European champion, Marko Golubic in a thrilling contest

There were more encouraging results for South Dublin Taekwondo in Albania with Woolley’s team mate, Leroy Nsilu Dilandu finishing ninth in the -74kg division.

He carded a thrilling 7-6 victory over former European champion, Marko Golubic of Croatia in his opening fight before losing out 15-11 against Mahdi Jermami from France.