Taek-wonders bag a big Euro medal haul

Juniors Jake Round and Luke Richardson picked up a bronze for patterns and sparring in the black belt over-15s category.

Dean Lewis scooped silver for sparring and bronze for team sparring for all black-belt males. He also picked up bronze for individual patterns and silver for team patterns.

Aubrey Round, who flew out to support her son, Jake, could not compete after suffering an injury a week before the competition.

The 16-strong national team won 32 medals altogether in Budapest and Gary Plant, head instructor at Bridgnorth Taekwondo, was proud his students had made a strong contribution to the overall tally.

He said: "The successful students were welcomed back to their club to cheers and applause from all their team-mates and training partners.

"As always we are just looking forwards. Dean, Luke and Jake are already entering new competitions now that they have this extra experience and confidence.

"Our other club members are doing the same too because we are always encouraging everyone to reach for their goals and strive to improve. The whole club is exceptionally proud."

The successful squad are all trained by Plant and attend monthly squad sessions with the national coach, Jasper Chow.

Eight Bridgnorth students also returned from the Global Taekwondo International English Open 2016 with a share of 11 medals.

Lewis won gold in men's black belt veterans division as well as bronze in team patterns.

David Rowley picked up gold in the men's green belt veterans sparring for the third time running and remains the GTI undefeated national champion.

Team-mates Sam Jones, Oliver Hilton and Tammy Lewis bagged two bronzes and three silvers between them across sparring and patterns events.

Jake Round and Luke Richardson were also back in the medal mix again with the teenagers coming home with silver and bronze medals.

Jack Light, the youngest of the group, made his competitive debut at the tournament aged nine after just a few months' training.

Assistant instructor Anna Bradford said: "It was a brilliant day for Bridgnorth Taekwondo and Jack gained an excellent score for his pattern.

"He has his sights firmly set on being a champion next time. Having more medals than competitors is a wonderful reflection of the hard work put in by all of our students."

The club, which trains at St Leonard's School under the instruction of Plant and Bradford, is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Visit www.bridgnorthtaekwondo.com.