TAE KWON-DO: Billingborough's Kieran crowned world champion

The Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain World Championships was held over two days in Birmingham at the Barclaycard Arena and attracted some of the world’s top competitors, with more than 3,720 entries from 22 countries, from as far away as Australia, Canada, USA, Poland, Russia, Argentina, Spain and many more.

It all kicked off for Annabel with the juniors, when 12-year-old Kieran Fowler from Billingborough had some tough fights in the preliminary rounds before facing Q. Jeremieh from the USA in the finals.

Kieran knew he had to give it is all and he did just that as he won gold in individual sparring, and then went on to claim gold in team sparring.

Instructor Anna Murcott said: “What a fantastic boost for the club and such a proud moment for all of us. It’s so easy to take the credit as an instructor, but this was a whole team effort.

“Kieran is a credit to Mr Earth, a 4th Dan who teaches at the Billingborough club. Without the help and support from all the black belts that tirelessly give their time to assist and coach up and coming students, this wouldn’t be possible.”

The school’s other gold medallists were 10-year-old Freddie North, of Bourne, who fought above his weight, and Market Deeping’s Christina Rodgers who beat the favourite in the ladies’ blue belt middleweight division.