A MARTIAL arts team from Thornbury is celebrating after its members took home a medal haul from the European Championships.

Students from Thornbury Taekwondo Academy competed in the International Taekwondo Federation event held at Sports Wales National Centre in Cardiff.

The competition - held between July 18 to July 21 - hosted a range of categories, including power breaking, patterns and sparring for juniors and adults.

Instructor Master Vaughan Buxton, a 7th degree black belt and a British, European and World title holder, said he was proud of everyone who took part.
 
He said: “The students trained hard in the run-up to the competition and gave it their all. 

“I’m proud of their dedication and it’s an amazing achievement to take part in the European Championships.
 
“It was great to see students from Thornbury represent Team GB on the international stage in such an elite sporting event.”
 
There were 160 participants from 15 countries at the event, which is held every two years.

The Thornbury team is part of Region 7, which also includes Fishponds Taekwondo Academy.

Esme McCarthy, a second-degree black belt, who is studying law at London South Bank University and works part time as a legal assistant with Co-op, won gold medals for second-degree black belt patterns and sparring. 

She was also part of the women’s team representing Great Britain, winning gold, silver and bronze medals in the different categories. 
 
Ben Turner, a second-degree black belt, who studied sports rehabilitation at University of the West of England (UWE) and now works as a neurological physiotherapist, took home gold for patterns and silver for sparring.  

He was awarded best overall male – having gained the most points.
 
Kieran McDermott, a third-degree black belt, who is a first-class law with business graduate from (UWE) and works as a trainee solicitor, achieved gold for sparring.
 
Stuart Leppard, a sixth-degree black belt and former World silver medallist, fought for silver in sparring and patterns.

Joel Cassar, a fourth-degree black belt, came away with gold for sparring, while Sam Cole, an engineer with Airbus, won silver for first degree black belt patterns. 

The men’s team won silver in patterns and breaking.
 
They all attend black belt clinics and squad training every other Saturday, as well as their weekly classes with the club, which was set up 23 years ago.

Joel, who has trained in Taekwondo since the age of four, thanked 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.”
 
The club, which caters for children as young as four, was set up in 2001.

Classes are held 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 07866 685099, email info@ thornburytkd.com or visit the website thonrburytkd.co.uk