Two-time Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones has announced a dramatic career change, swapping the taekwondo mat for the boxing ring in a bold bid for sporting glory.
A Champion's New Challenge
The 32-year-old Welsh athlete, who famously won gold for Team GB at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, confirmed her switch after an early exit from the Paris 2024 Olympics ended her dream of a third taekwondo title. Less than a year later, she embarked on a new path in boxing, training with former professional fighter Stephen Smith from the start of 2025.
Jones was candid about her motivation, insisting financial gain is not the driver. "It's nice to have a fresh start," she told The Smith Brothers. "I wouldn't be here to just get knocked out and get a bit of money. I want to take it step by step, one fight at a time, to kind of enjoy the journey again." Her ultimate goal is clear: to become a world champion in a second sport.
Embracing the Fight
The champion admits the transition has been daunting, with moments of self-doubt. "Some days I wake up and think, 'Am I absolutely crazy?'" she revealed in a previous BBC Breakfast interview. However, her innate love for competition fuels her. "I do just generally love a scrap as well," Jones explained. "People are like, 'Do you not want to keep your face?' But I love to fight, I love to scrap, it's fun to me."
Despite the nerves, Jones is embracing the challenge. "I love taekwondo, it will always be my first love. But this is an exciting challenge," she said, inviting the public to follow "the good, the bad and the ugly" of her journey.
A Legacy of Success
Jones leaves behind an extraordinary taekwondo career. Her achievements include:
- Winning her first Olympic gold by defeating Hou Yuzhuo in the 57kg division at London 2012.
- Successfully defending her title against Eva Calvo at the Rio 2016 Games.
- Securing the world championship title at the 2019 World Championships in Manchester.
Now, with the same self-belief that propelled her to the top of taekwondo, Jade Jones is stepping into a new arena. "I believe in myself, I believe in my ability," she stated, ready to write a new chapter in British sporting history.
