WYRE Forest Taekwondo’s Rosie Ashmore and Asha Patel put up fine performances at their black belt gradings.

The national tests are held twice annually at the central academy for the Taekwondo Association of Great Britain (TAGB) where students are graded under a panel of some of the highest-ranking black belts in the UK, including Grand Master David Oliver, chairman of the TAGB and the British Taekwondo Council (BTC).

Asha Patel was one of the club's youngest ever starters, joining with her family at just three years old. She has always taken her training very seriously for one so young and has developed incredible skill and power for her nine years.

Rosie Ashmore has good technique but chose to take more time to prepare for her grading to ensure she made the necessary developments in power for black belt level. She caught the eyes of the examining board who commented on her improvements.

The girls were presented with their certificates and new belts this week.

Instructor Katie Billingham said: “Both girls are incredibly naturally talented, but they combined it with hard work and rally raised their standards. I am extremely proud to have them as black belts in my clubs.”

The club is now in training for the European Championships and the Welsh Championships in a few weeks. For more information, contact Katie Billingham on 07885 293088 or visit wyreforesttaekwondo.com.