Stevenson makes successful return from lengthy injury

OLYMPIC bronze medallist Sarah Stevenson hit the ground running in her return to international action at the World Cup Team Championships with a hat-trick of victories.

BACK TO FORM: Sarah Stevenson picks up three wins in Azerbaijan despite ten month lay-off with ankle injury

The 25-year-old, who had not competed since the Beijing Olympics due to an ankle ligament injury, picked up three preliminary round wins over competitors from Morocco, Iran and Canada in Azerbaijan.

Stevenson was in a reduced GB women's squad in Azerbaijan - as part of a team focused on gaining competitive action rather than fighting for medals - where Korea clinched gold and GB fell at the first hurdle.

Her return to competitive action followed two operations on her right ankle, injured during her exploits in Beijing last August, where she became the first Brit to win an Olympic taekwondo medal.

Stevenson is now expected to compete at the British Open in Manchester in August, before travelling to the World Championships in Denmark in October.