AARON Cook just missed out on gold at the WFT World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester tonight.
Dorchester-born Cook lost 13-11 to Mahdi Khodabakhshi in a gripping men’s -80kg final.
The Iranian led 8-2 at the end of the second round and held off a spirited fightback from Cook in the last to claim the first prize.
Earlier in the day, Cook had beaten Cheick Sallah Cisse of the Ivory Coast 14-12 in the round of 32 before needing a golden point to see off Azerbaijan’s Ramin Azizov.
Facing world champion Tahir Guelec in the semis, Cook produced a stunning reverse turn and kick to knockout his opponent with 41 seconds left of the first round.
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