Trio set to represent England on the world stage
Three martial artists from Bristol will represent England on the world stage later this year.
Kieran McDermott, 25, Ben Turner, 23, and Elliane Reader, 17, from South West Taekwondo Academy (SWTKD), have been selected for the national team.
The trio successfully completed gruelling 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, held at Grace Academy, Solihull, Birmingham.
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 with 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, which trains in Thornbury and Lyde Green.
Ben, a second-degree black belt, who studied sports rehabilitation at University of the West of England (UWE) and now works as a neurological physiotherapist with Neurokinex in Almondsbury was awarded best overall male at the European Championships last year.
And Elliane, a third-degree black belt who is studying A levels in law, sociology and English at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, 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.
The former Chandag Primary School and Wellsway School pupil 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.
Welcoming
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.
· SWTKD Lyde Green, which is led by accredited and experienced instructors, train at Lyde Green Community Centre every Wednesday and Friday. The first lesson is FREE. For more information, call Gavin on 07500 764276.
· SWTKD Thornbury, which caters for children as young as four, holds classes 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 Vaughn on 07866 685099.
• Alternatively, visit www.swtkd.co.uk
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