The World Grand Prix holds happy memories for Lutalo Muhammad but, with Rio edging ever closer, the Walthamstow taekwondo star is in the mood to add to them.

The Grand Prix sees the top-32 athletes in each Olympic weight category go toe-to-toe in four events over five months, the first taking place in Moscow over August 14-16.

A year after Muhammad won Olympic bronze at London 2012; he won the title at the inaugural Grand Prix as he underlined his talent.

However, this year the going has been far tougher as a knee injury ruled him out of the World Championships and he had to fight back from a quarter-final defeat to claim bronze at the European Games in June.

But with Rio 2016 qualification points up for grabs this World Grand Prix – just as they were for the European Games – Muhammad is keen to once again finish top of the pile in Moscow.

“The World Grand Prix is really exciting because it is almost marks the second stage of Olympic qualification opening and that is great,” he said.

“It is now all about the Grand Prix and Rio is now a year away so it is really exciting. The pressure has always been on since I competed in London.

“Everything is fine now in terms of my injury. I obviously had my injury which forced me to miss the World Championships but it actually allowed me to get the time I wanted in the gym and this Grand Prix in Moscow I hope I will be able to show that I am back.

“The European Games were my first competition back after injury and I was made to work hard for the bronze medal but I am back to where I need to be now and raring to go.”

But despite focussing all his attentions on the World Grand Prix series in Moscow, Muhammad can’t help but let his mind wander to the home leg in Manchester from October 16-18.

“I am really looking forward to the Manchester leg and competing at home is great, we don’t get to do it very often for the big competitions,” he added.

“Hopefully I will be able to compete because it would be amazing to compete in front of a home crowd and it would mean loads to be there.”

The World Taekwondo Grand Prix – featuring the very best Olympic and World Champions from across the globe – is coming to Manchester on 16-18 October. Experience the excitement, drama and electrifying atmosphere of this explosive Olympic sport with tickets on sale 19 May at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/wtgp