A TAEKWONDO group based in Prestatyn celebrated after earning an incredible 34 medals at a national competition last weekend.

A team of 37 competitors from Denbighshire Taekwondo Academy & Family Martial Arts Centre shared 21 golds, eight silvers and five bronzes between them at the Taekwondo International British Championships at Coventry Skydome yesterday (November 21).

Head instructor Gareth Pritchard said: “We had great results from the British Championships yesterday at the Coventry Skydome. Some of our competitors were as young as six years old.

“I am very proud of all of them if they won a medal or not; just stepping foot into the competition arena is a huge thing to do.

Rhyl Journal: (L-R) Autumn Robertson (gold in sparring, silver in team sparring), Ruby Covell (gold in sparring, silver in team sparring), Sofia Narey (bronze in sparring, silver in team sparring). The three girls teamed up to win the silver together against girls from across the UK. Photo: Gareth Pritchard(L-R) Autumn Robertson (gold in sparring, silver in team sparring), Ruby Covell (gold in sparring, silver in team sparring), Sofia Narey (bronze in sparring, silver in team sparring). The three girls teamed up to win the silver together against girls from across the UK. Photo: Gareth Pritchard

“We have a great team spirit and supported each other all day, and even had students and parents that didn’t compete come down with us to support the others.

“Well done to you all, and those on the bus even had a sing-song on the way home!”

Elinor Bonnett, from Flint, won gold in team patterns (sequence of kicks, blocks and punches) and silver in team sparring (fighting), while Freya Roberts-Howie, from Rhyl, also took gold in team patterns and silver in girls’ lightweight sparring.

Lewis Byles, from Flint, was also a gold medallist in team patterns, team sparring, the foot power event (striking a target with the most power with a kick against other boys of his weight division), and speed kicking (as many kicks as possible against the clock against a target), and won bronze in individual sparring.

It is the latest in a string of successful stories for the group; last month, the three aforementioned members all represented Wales at the UK Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival and received impressive new gradings after years of tireless practice.

Lewis and Elinor are now 2nd Dan, 2nd Star Black Belts, while Freya became a 1st Dan, 1st Star.

At the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival at the NEC in Birmingham earlier in October, each of the group’s teams took home either a gold, silver or bronze medal in a tournament comprising representatives from each of the four home nations.