Who is Jade Jones’ boyfriend Jordan Gayle and what Olympic record is the Taekwondo superstar targeting?
JADE Jones receives support from Jordan Gayle, who serves as both her boyfriend and Team GB coach at the Olympics.
She is set to make history by pursuing her third taekwondo gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Who is Jade Jones’ boyfriend Jordan Gayle?
Jade Jones’ boyfriend Jordan Gayle is a former taekwondo athlete.
Born in Manchester, Jordan had a successful taekwondo career spanning a decade.
His achievements include victories at the Dutch Open in 2008 and 2012, as well as wins at the Serbian, Belgian, and Turkish Opens, and the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
He retired with 35 registered fights from 2005 to 2015.
After retiring from competition, Jordan transitioned to coaching and has become a key member of the Team GB Taekwondo coaching team.
His expertise and experience in the sport make him a valuable asset to the team and to Jade’s training and preparation.
Jordan told WalesOnline about his coaching role with Team GB: “It’s really exciting being back into the mix of things with the team.
“I’ve always looked at the coaching side of the game as something I’d love to do. So, it’s amazing to have that chance.
“The future of taekwondo depends on the grassroots.
“To be given an opportunity to have an input of what that looks like is amazing.”
Who is Jade Jones?
Jade Louise Jones is a Welsh taekwondo athlete.
She was born on March 21, 1993 in Bodelyddan, Wales.
Jade was introduced to taekwondo by her grandfather at the age of 8.
At 16, she left school to pursue a full time career in the sport.
Jade is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is known for her aggressive fighting style, particularly her preference for head kicks, she is nicknamed “The Headhunter.”
She won her first gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the women’s 57 kg category, becoming the first British athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in taekwondo.
Four years later, Jade successfully defended her title at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, securing another gold in the same weight category.
Jade has also achieved success at the World Taekwondo Championships and European Taekwondo Championships, where she has won multiple medals.
Prior to her senior success, Jones won a gold medal at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010, held in Singapore.
In December 2023, Jade faced controversy after missing a drugs test due to “very exceptional circumstances.”
An official arrived early at her hotel in Manchester on December 1, 2023 to collect a urine sample.
Jade was unable to provide a sample initially due to dehydration, which she documented by signing a form.
Later that day, she provided a sample in another test, which returned negative.
Despite this, she was notified of a provisional suspension by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on December 14, 2023.
UKAD stated that there was “no fault or negligence” on her part for the missed sample.
They acknowledged that she committed a no-fault doping violation.
Jade later released a statement saying: “I understand and accept UKAD’s decision.
“At the moment this started, I didn’t grasp the situation I was in and what could happen.
“I gave a negative sample later that day, but it’s clear I made a mistake that morning.
“What I understand now is not just the mistake I made but the reasons it happened and that there could have been different consequences.
“I want to thank UKAD for listening and seeing the circumstances and GB Taekwondo for their support.
“I’m grateful that my actions have been properly understood and that I can continue to compete.”
At the Paris Olympics, Jade is targeting a historic achievement to become the first taekwondo athlete to win three Olympic gold medals in the sport.