Medals for Thornbury Taekwondo Academy

A MARTIAL arts team from Thornbury is celebrating after members won gold, silver and bronze medals at a national competition.

Students from Thornbury Taekwondo Academy, which caters for children as young as four, took part in the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) UK Spring National Championships.

The event, which was held at SGS College, Filton, hosted a range of categories, including patterns and sparring for juniors and adults.

Instructor Gavin Reader said: “It’s nice to win medals but it’s more important to take part and give it your best effort, while learning from the experience and having fun.

“It takes courage to compete and we are proud of our team who work hard, while reflecting the Taekwondo tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.”

Several students from the team, aged 14 to 56, also won medals at the Elite Martial Arts Professionals (EMAP) Open Championship, which is open to a range of martial arts styles and was held at Thornbury Leisure Centre.

Stuart Leppard, a 6th degree black belt, Kieran McDermott, a 3rd degree black belt, Ben Turner, a 2nd degree black belt and Lilly Buxton, a black stripe, all competed.

The club was set up in 2001 by Vaughan Buxton, a 7th degree black belt and a British, European and World title holder.

Classes are held at Thornbury Leisure Centre on Monday and Thursday evenings, along with Black Belt and squad training at Turnberrie's Community Centre every other weekend.

For more information, call 07866 685099, email info@ thornburytkd.com or visit the website thonrburytkd.co.uk.