South Downs Taekwondo won the best in competition award at the TAGB South East Championship 2024.

The club’s main base is The Petersfield School but it also runs classes in Clanfield, Midhurst, Bordon and Alton.

This competition was held at Havant Leisure Centre last Sunday - the first time it had been run since the Covid pandemic.

Head instructor Colin Sayer, a fifth degree black belt, was heavily involved in getting the event back off the ground.

South Downs Taekwondo has been going from strength to strength since the pandemic, with a very strong team of children and teenagers ranging from six to 17 years old. It also has a lot of parents who join in as well.

The competition had students from London to Eastbourne taking part in events from individual patterns and sparring to team patterns and tag team sparring.

South Downs Taekwondo came away with a total of 41 gold medals, 18 silvers and 11 bronzes, with team captain Charlotte Living coming away with golds in every category.

Colin Sayer said: “I am very proud of everyone who took part and I hope everyone achieved something on the day.

“It’s not just about winning medals, it’s also about overcoming your fears of standing in front of people and showing them what you can do.”

Children can start aged six. There are beginners/intermediate (6pm) and advanced (7pm) classes at The Petersfield School (Monday), Oakmoor School (Tuesday) and Clanfield Centre (Wednesday), and an all grades class at Midhurst Rother College (Wednesday, 6pm).

On Thursday The Petersfield School hosts mixed grade classes at 6pm (six to 12) and 7pm (13 and above). Amery Hill School hosts Saturday beginners/intermediate (10am) and advanced (11am) classes. On Sunday at Oakmoor School there is a mixed grade class (3pm).