MUJU, Korea (Aug. 30, 2025) - Great Britain have celebrated a number of Taekwondo greats in recent years, and one of them has been Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Lauren Williams.
Williams was a runner-up in the Women’s -67kg in the Japanese capital, and returned to major competition at the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge with a bronze in the Women’s +67kg competition.
It marked a return to the podium at a major event for Williams. She suffered a difficult spell with injuries to her hamstring which led to her missing the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but she is firmly motivated to build on her achievements in the Japanese capital.
“I was supposed to go to Paris, but I got out because of injury. I had two years of hard recovery and also moved category, so I came back with a new category which is fresh,” Williams said.
“I don’t know anybody. I feel like I have the same motivation to win the Olympic gold, just as I did when I started my -67kg journey.
“I feel like I’m just starting again - it is a great feeling. I feel restarted and refreshed, and I think I needed that after such a long time being in the -67kg category. I needed a change.
“It’s a completely different style of techniques. Before it was super dynamic, very fast, very intense. Now applying the same skills, I am stronger and slower, but more tactical and kicks hurt a lot more.
“It was hard to change, but I’m enjoying it.”
Williams returned to the podium with a bronze at Korea’s premier Taekwondo destination, and reflected positively on her experience.
“I can’t tell you how bad my injuries were and how sad it was, because when the Olympics happened, there was no event. Everything was focused on the Olympics, so there was no opportunity for me to compete - I had to wait,” she said.
“It was two years of nothing, which was also a motivation to start fresh.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I would be so happy getting a bronze medal. After losing that semi-final, I was crying and so sad, and I said I didn’t want to compete, because five fights and no medal were meaningless for me. I didn’t want to be there.
“But winning that medal was incredible. It was like winning a gold medal. I had just lost, but it was another opportunity to win, and in that kind of stadium it was incredible.
“Now I understand why bronze medallists look happier than silver medallists.”
Williams took an unconventional road to success in the sport, and explained her journey to becoming one of the world’s top athletes.
“I used to do kickboxing first, from four to 13 years old,” she revealed.
“I wanted to do MMA, but after the London 2012 Olympics, GB Taekwondo did a scouting programme with athletes from other combat sports to see if those skills could be used in Taekwondo.
“During that programme, they saw my potential and suggested me for Taekwondo.
“I liked fighting, and it was a style they hadn’t seen in Taekwondo. I just always kept pushing and fighting, and that’s how I started earning medals.
“I first joined the national team in Taekwondo in 2013, at the age of 14.”
Williams is now one of Great Britain's most recognisable athletes, and embraces the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of her compatriots Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden, both two-time Olympic medallists.
“I like that I now have the opportunity to inspire another generation,” Williams said.
“Before, I used to look up to Jade and Bianca as Olympic champions, as World champions. They were my role models.
“I now have the opportunity to become a role model for the current generation, and I don’t look at it as pressure, but enjoy the opportunity given to me.”
Williams remains steadfast in her determination to add to the silver medal she won at Tokyo 2020, and reflected on how she has developed since then.
“As a person, I have learned a lot of life and psychology skills,” Williams said.
“As an athlete, I had to adapt to a very different Taekwondo because of the new rules and changes in the competition before Tokyo.
“Now, every round starts at zero and is a completely different game, so I’ve become more of a tactical fighter.
“It is not only the physical part, but I now have to be cleverer in the techniques I use, so I’m learning a lot more.”
Williams is now well advanced in her training for the Wuxi 2025World Taekwondo Championships, and hopes her experience can serve the younger members of the British team well in their preparations.
“The average age of the team is 17-19-years-old,” she said.
“They don’t have much experience in competitions, so they watch my fights and train with me.
“Since I’ve been there myself and know what it takes to become an Olympic medallist, I have some athletes who come to me for advice. I generally tell them they have earned their place in the team for a reason, and try to help them understand that they have to believe in what they are doing.”
Williams’ medal at the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge has earned her a place at the 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series 2 in Paris. Her success has her looking forward to the major events on the horizon.
“I am very excited,” she said.
“I think the competitions are set up very differently now, and they are more like a spectacle. They look so professional and elite, and also look very good on TV with how they are showcased.
“I love being part of it and having the chance to showcase Taekwondo.
“There are still a lot of changes I have to follow, but I’m enjoying it.
“I’m looking forward to the next Grand Prix, and super excited for the Olympics.”
Williams is an athlete who continues to enrich her growing reputation, and the bronze medal at the Muju Taekwondowon 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge can be a catalyst for further success.
