Three martial artists from South West Taekwondo Academy (SWTKD) will represent their country on the world stage later this year.
Kieran McDermott, 25, Ben Turner, 23, and Elliane Reader, 17, have been selected for the national team.
The trio successfully completed grueling try-outs to earn a spot with International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) England at the World Championship in Croatia.
Instructor Master Vaughan Buxton, a 7th degree black belt and a British, European, and World title holder, said: “They have worked incredibly hard over the years and it’s an amazing achievement to be selected to represent your country.”
The students took part in a full day selection process. They had to perform to a high standard at the trials and were also judged on their achievements at local and regional competitions throughout the year.
Resilience
Coach Gavin Reader, who is a 3rd degree Black Belt in the Korean-based martial art and has been a sports coach for two decades, said: “The students not only performed well at competitions, but have shown a positive attitude and resilience throughout their training.
“They have been prepared to put in the hard work, listen to their instructors, and learn lessons along the way. As a club, we are all very proud of them.”
Kieran, a third-degree black belt, who is a first-class law and business graduate from UWE and works as a trainee solicitor with Wollens, is a former World and European champion.
He took up the sport at the age of five and is an assistant coach with the club.
Ben, a second-degree black belt, who studied sports rehabilitation at the University of the West of England (UWE) and now works as a neurological physiotherapist with Neurokinex, was awarded best overall male at the European Championships last year.
Young competitor
And Elliane, a third-degree black belt who is studying A levels in law, sociology and English, is the youngest competitor from the club.
But she is no stranger to competing at an international level –winning a European Championship title and earning her black belt by the age of 11.
More recently, she won gold and silver medals at the European Championships held in Cardiff last summer.
She started taekwondo when she was four and is a frequent competitor on the national and international stage.
She said: “We are delighted to have been selected for the national team. We are very grateful for all the support of our instructors – not just in training but for all the work they do behind the scenes to make this possible.”
The championships are set to take place from October 6 to 12 in Porec, Croatia.
The club is open to students from the age of four, with no upper limit, and of mixed abilities.
Taekwondo emphasises fast kicking techniques and is said to promote physical and mental strength. SWTKD welcomes students from four-years-of-age and with no upper limit.
Health benefits of Taekwondo include improved balance, flexibility, stamina, strength and posture. Psychologically, it is reported to help develop confidence, self-esteem and resilience.
Aside from competitions, the club has other activities lined-up throughout the year – from parties to summer camps, which are open to all members, as well as friends and family.
She took up Tang Soo Do several years ago, and then Taekwondo. She used to enjoy Thai Boxing and Judo as a teenager. She is a student with South West Taekwondo Academy (SWTKD) ww.swtkd.co.uk
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