Baines High School headteacher in first Taekwondo competition securing medals with Thornton Cleveleys team
“Louise and Clare stand out for achieving fantastic results in their first attempt”
A martial arts club is celebrating a spectacular performance after returning from the T-UK British Open Championship with an impressive haul of silverware.
Thornton Cleveleys Taekwondo School travelled to Warwick University to compete against top-tier talent from across the UK - and nearly all of their competitors were stepping onto the mats for the first time.
But the pressure of a debut appearance failed to deter the newcomers.
All the latest news and top stories from across Blackpool and the Fylde coast directly to your phone
Never miss a thing.Click here to join
Among the standout performers was Baines School Headteacher Clare Doherty, who secured two bronze medals across both the patterns and sparring disciplines.
Louise Parkinson, who runs Happykids Childminding, also enjoyed a highly successful debut, returning home with a silver medal in sparring and a bronze in patterns.
The club's younger generation also shone on the national stage.
Ten-year-old Rossall School student Pugazh Ganapathy fought his way to a gold medal in sparring adding to an already bulging trophy cabinet, while 15-year-old Selosh Mirando claimed a bronze medal in the patterns category, narrowly missing out on a second podium finish in sparring in his first competition.
Daniel Hewitt, 16, also fought hard facing experienced competitors in the black belt sparring and patterns divisions but was very unfortunate in not managing to secure another medal.
Coach and Chief Instructor Shaminder Sangha, expressed immense pride in the entire team's dedication and spirit.
He said: "Whilst I am immensely proud of all of our students, Louise and Clare stand out for achieving fantastic results in their first attempt against formidable opponents in the veterans category.
“They have demonstrated that you are never too old to take up this amazing martial art, which will challenge both your physical and mental strength many times over."