Medals for martial arts students

A MARTIAL arts team from Thornbury is celebrating after students took home UK Champion titles or were awarded silver medals in a top-class competition.

Members of Thornbury Taekwondo Academy took part in the UK International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) Finals Day, which was held at the town's leisure centre on May 13.

Only Black Belt competitors who had qualified at the National Championships in March were able to take part.

Coach Gavin Reader, who has achieved the rank of 2nd degree Black Belt in the Korean martial art, said: "It’s a privilege to take part in such an event, where competitors are at the top of their game.

"To make it through is an achievement in itself, and we are very proud of the team.

"The students had taken the lessons of their previous competitions and worked hard to improve on their performance. It’s about doing the best you can and learning from it where possible.”

She said: "Walter is an amazing horse - it’s a privilege to have him in our lives.

"The cross-country was a serious question but he’s really light on his feet and so honest.

"This was one of the most challenging riding weeks I’ve ever had but to win at

Badminton is just what dreams are made of."

The international, presented by Mars Equestrian, had accepted 64 starters but six withdrew before the feature cross-country phase.

Top 16 finishers included past Badminton winners Pippa Funnell (Majas Hope) and William Fox-Pitt (Grafennacht), as well as South Gloucestershire former Team GB rider Harry Meade (Away Cruising).

Harry, of West Littleton, near Tormarton, said: "This is a really special moment. I tried to ride him sensibly from the start on the cross-country because of the conditions and we got home."

But Bristol’s Alexander Whewell and North Somerset’s Selina Milnes were among 11 who retired on the cross-country course.

A further 17 eliminations included Oliver Townend, on his other horse Swallow Springs, who was pulled up by the officiating ground jury and given a warning for dangerous riding.

Lynne Hutchinson

Phoebe Grandfield, a 4th degree black belt, Kieran McDermott, a 3rd degree, Ben Turner, a 2nd degree and Grace Leppard, a 1st degree black belt, competed at the event. And they took home three UK Champion titles – two for sparring and one for patterns – and silver medals.

Thornbury Taekwondo Academy was set up in 2001 by Vaughan Buxton, a 7th degree black belt and a British, European and World title holder. He has been training in the art for over 30 years.

Students from academies across the region regularly attend his black belt and squad training sessions every other Saturday.

An Under-18s male team event he helped coach also won gold in patterns and silver in sparring.

Health benefits of Taekwondo include improved balance, flexibility, stamina, strength and posture. Psychologically, it is reported to help develop confidence, selfesteem and resilience.

Thornbury TKD trains at Thornbury Leisure Centre every Monday and Thursday, along with Black Belt and squad sessions every other Saturday at Turnberrie's Community Centre.

For more information, call Vaughan on 07866 685099, email info@thornburytkd. com or visit the thornburytkd.com website.