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.