THE DAD of an two-time Olympic gold medallist says he's proud of his daughter after she suffered a shock defeat early on at the 2024 Olympics.

Jade Jones, from Flint, made history at the London 2012 Olympics, when she became Britain's first taekwondo gold medallist and achieved her first Olympic title as a teenager.

Flint's 'Golden Girl', took gold in the 57kg weight category aged just 19 - a performance which later earned her an MBE.

She then retained her title in Rio four-years-later and, after a shock first-round exit in Tokyo, was bidding to become the sport's first three-time Olympics in Paris.

Jones returned to the mat today (August 8) to take on Macedonian athlete Milijana Reljikj in the Women's -57kg events - but sadly fell to an agonising defeat.

The 31-year-old lost the first round of the best-of-three battle, before narrowly winning the second and drawing the third.

That meant that the number of registered hits was used as a tie-breaker, with Reljkik securing victory.

That ended Jones' quest to become the first Taekwondo competitor ever to secure three gold medals in the sport.

Her dad Gary, who watched on from the Mill Tavern in their hometown of Flint, said he was 'gutted' for his daughter, but remained 'proud' of her achievements down the years.

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Speaking to the Leader, Gary said: "There was massive pressure on Jade to make history and I'm really gutted for her that it didn’t go how she wanted. But, I’m so proud of her regardless, she’s had a brilliant journey in her life and done everyone proud with the medals she holds.

"Flint are so proud of her and what she’s done for them. I don’t think anyone will ever forget Jade and her legacy. She will be devastated but I can't wait to get her home now.

"She used to be known to me as Jade, but now I’ll always know her as Jade Jones and a lot of people will as well. Love you to bits my superstar, you’ll always be at the top of the mountain for me."

Jade was introduced to Taekwondo by her grandfather at aged eight. She left school aged 16 to practice the sport full-time with success coming quickly.

Known as ‘The Head Hunter’ due to her performance for scoring via kicks to the head.

Her hometown of Flint proudly cheered her on today with watch along parties being held in local pubs such as the Mill Tavern and the George and Dragon.