A FATHER and his son got a big kick out of competing together in a national martial arts championship, as they both brought home bronze medals.

Cinderford duo James Gilding, 43, and 13-year-old son Joshua entered the Welsh Closed Championships in Newport.

And the members of the town’s TAGB Tae Kwon-Do both made the podium, dad in men’s patterns and his lad in boys’ sparring.

Clubmate Richard Guest also impressed with a bronze in men’s sparring in his first national tournament, while Jake Fowler, Ella Clarke and Max Emsley all put up great fights in their sparring categories, while Alicja Bobruk and Max Emsley showed lots of skills in patterns, and Alicja and Ella did well taking their synchronised pattern to the event.

Meanwhile, Lydney Tae Kwon-Do students travelled across the bridge to the Bristol academy for a weekend of black belt gradings.

All the students, who train under the watchful eye of 6th Dan Master Anthony Farr and fellow instructor Paula Webb of Blakeney, had worked hard over the past four-and-a-half years to finally reach this stage and hopefully be successful with their performance on the day. 

And Michael Burton, Adam Holder and Fraser Rickards all gained their 1st Dan Black Belt, while Paula, who trains with Master Farr as well as being a successful instructor of her own club in Blakeney, gained her 4th Dan, which is a first in the club for  Master Farr. 

He said he was very pleased overall with the performance of the students on the day.

For more information about TAGB Tae Kwon-Do in the Cinderford and Longhope area, contact 2nd Dan Instructor Ken Penman on 07787 151284 or email [email protected]

For information on Lydney Tae Kwon-Do, call Tony Farr on 01600 716119.