AARON Cook paid tribute to those supporting his bid to make the Rio Olympics after taking another step towards qualification on Saturday.

Dorchester-born Cook, 23, claimed silver for the Isle of Man at the World Grand Prix in Manchester, losing out on gold to Iran’s Mahdi Khodabakhshi in a thrilling final.

World number one Cook was the best of the British-based athletes in the men’s -80kg division and second place strengthened his position at the top of the global rankings.

Khodabakhshi led the final from start to finish, holding a 3-2 advantage at the end of the first and extending that in the second thanks to a three-point kick to the head.

Despite leading 8-2 going into the third and final round, the Iranian knew European champ-ion Cook would not go quietly.

Cook won the last round 9-5 but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 13-11 defeat.

“I’m happy with my training, with the support I have around me, with my family,” said Cook, whose parents fund his career.

“So many people have helped me. The list is a mile long, but most of all my family.

“It’s tough with my parents paying for everything.

“Some may say it’s maverick but it’s an individual sport at the end of the day and I’m doing what’s right for me. I’m one step closer to Rio.”

On gold medallist Khoda-bakhshi, he added: “I tried my heart out but he’s an absolutely fantastic fighter.

“Khodabakhshi has only come on the scene this year but he’s winning almost everything and he’s going to be a major threat for gold in Rio.”

It was in the semi-finals that Cook really showed his prowess.

He was 4-0 down to Germany’s reigning world champion Tahir Guelec when a stunning reverse head kick secured a first-round knockout victory.

Earlier in the day, Cook beat Cheick Sallah Cisse of the Ivory Coast 14-12 in the round of 32 before seeing off Azerbaijan’s Ramin Azizov with a golden point after the contest had finished 7-7.

Cook’s main rival for the one -80kg place in the Great Britain team for the 2016 Olympics, Lutalo Muhammad, fared less well on Saturday.

The London 2012 bronze medallist and winner in Manchester last year lost to Masoud Hajizavareh of Iran in the second round.