A MARTIAL arts team based in Lyde Green is celebrating after members took home a medal haul from the European Championships this summer.
Students from Fishponds Taekwondo Academy, which trains at Lyde Green Community Centre, competed in the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) event held at Sports Wales National Centre in Cardiff from July 18 to 21.
The competition had a range of categories, including power breaking, patterns and sparring for juniors and adults.
The team is part of the federation’s UK Region 7 and members were among 160 participants from 15 countries at the event, which is held every two years.
Winning students included Joel Cassar, a former Bristol Metropolitan Academy student and fourth-degree black belt, who won gold for sparring.
Joel, who has trained in Taekwondo since the age of four, thanked the instructors for their support.
He said: “This would not have been possible without the hard work, time and effort from our instructors. We count ourselves lucky to have such skilled and supportive coaches.”
Sam Cole, an engineer with Airbus, won silver for first degree black belt patterns.
The men’s team won silver in patterns and breaking.
Elliane Reader was awarded two silvers in individual patterns and sparring, as well as two silvers and two gold medals in team events.
Lewis Lambern reached the quarter finals in sparring where he put in a strong performance, initially reaching a draw, then losing out at extra time.
Instructor Gavin Reader said he was proud of everyone who took part, adding: “It was great to see the Fishponds Taekwondo Academy represent Team GB on the international stage, which is an amazing achievement.
“They performed extremely well and did themselves and their club proud.
“The students have trained hard and it’s great to see their progression. To reach this level of competition takes years of dedication and is in itself an achievement.”
Only 5% of ITF Taekwondo students are believed to take part in competitions but the team from Lyde Green regularly competes both nationally and internationally.
The group, which is led by accredited and experienced instructors, trains at Lyde Green Community Centre every Wednesday and Friday.
For more information, call 07500 764276 or email fishpondstkd@yahoo.com.
Angela Belassie