Tae Kwon Do medal delight for Howden Clough students

The North Midlands Championships were held at Derby Arena, which hosted to Europe’s largest martial arts competition on Sunday October 30.

Over 500 competitors from across the United Kingdom took part in the event, hosted by the Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain, with participants ranging from ages six years old to 60.

Evelyn User entered her first competition and returned with a bronze medal in the girls peewee sparring event, beating her opponent in the first round.

Natasha Zafar claimed two bronze medals as she entered the ladies black belt sparring and followed up with a third place in the tag team event in what was her first experience in the black belt league.

Zeeshan Zafar only decided to enter the mens black belt competition on the day but he also collected the North Midlands bronze medal in the tag team sparring event.

Following the success, Zeeshan said: “Am so pleased with the results. We have bigger plans as next year, while the British Championships are to be held in a few weeks time at the same venue.

“This will be a real test for us, not being the best in the regional, but being the best in Britain and the training pace is really going up a gear at the club.

“The team will be definitely aiming for gold but if each competitor walks away knowing they have been the best they can be, they should be very proud.”

Birstall and Batley Tae Kwon-Do classes are held every Monday and Wednesday between 6pm to 7pm at Howden Clough Community Centre, Leeds Road, Birstall, WF17 0HY.