SINCE the beginning of the New Year, the Radstock-based Jamie Woodlands Black Belt Academy has been out in force competing and representing their club and country.

A team of Taekwondo students were picked to take part in a national competition held in Bristol. The event regularly sees competitors from all over the u.k and also from Europe. The standard is high and those involved will take on multiple events including the demonstration of forms, weapons and fighting.

Students from Woodlands academy cleared up once again, taking over 50 top three places and also the overall Grand Champion on the day with 16 year old Finley Jones receiving the accolade.

While this more local competition was happening, four members of the team headed out to Vienna in Austria to take on the world at the ISKA world championships. This was to be the second year of world competition with students winning Golds the previous year in Greece and Germany.

Mark Dibley, Charis Derrick, Ruby Sage and Quinn Hutchinson were facing some of the toughest competition from around the globe at one of the most prestigious tournaments in martial arts. All four showed tremendous grit and determination coupled with a high level of skill from months and years of dedicated training. This culminated in podium places for all, including three world championship golds for Charis, two golds for Mark and silver and bronze for Ruby and Quinn.

In a different setting, local lad Josh Taylor was stepping into the full contact arena with his first fight on a major Thai boxing fight show, held in Ebbw Vale, Wales.

Josh had been training daily for months leading up to the fight and his preparation couldn’t have gone better. Representing Master Sken Academies alongside Instructor Jamie Woodland from the Radstock based club, Josh was taking on a formidable opponent but his hard work, technical skill and absolute dedication to his training saw him win all 3 rounds comfortably to be crowned the winner.

Academy instructor Jamie woodland commenting on the success of everyone said: “I couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of our students. They train week in, week out with absolute dedication and now with our club in its 25th year, we pride ourselves on being a professional, disciplined, friendly and welcoming environment where people can gain the benefits of real martial arts.

“If they choose to step into competition, we have proved ourselves out in the arena time and time again to be one of the most successful and respected teams in the country.

“Our students always compete with great skill, great focus and at all times, they show humility, respect and are all great role models for children and adults alike.

“The JWBBA team are second to none and demonstrate the beauty of martial arts and how it should be performed.

“Congratulations to all.”