A TAEKWONDO school in Oxfordshire is celebrating finishing top at six successive national tournaments.
Vale Taekwondo, based at The Beacon in Wantage, claimed half a dozen first places on the run with a showstopping display at the London Open.
The martial arts school beat 39 others and stretched a run that started when winning the UK Open in 2021.
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Instructor Carl Davis told this newspaper: “We certainly feel like we have a target on our back and it makes you stronger knowing we’re the team to beat – we embrace being the team to beat.
“I just teach one school, and we’re going up against much bigger schools with bigger numbers of students, yet we’re winning with fewer numbers against clubs from all over the UK.”
He added: “I am immensely proud of our continued success, it’s a record I thought would be unobtainable, however we have created a team of students who all support, push and improve one another.
“Those who are nervous for their first competition get the support beforehand to help them step on the mats, and those who are experienced are putting the practice and training to good use, to continue some long winning streaks.”
At the London Open, there were faultless performances from Under-14 overall male and female winners Oliver Lukawsky and Ayana Kraus, who both took three gold medals from the three disciplines of patterns, sparring and flying kicks.
Gabriella Rhodes, who came off a huge European Championship win in April, was also victorious at the London Open.
Daniella Lowman achieved a double gold along, with Lilly Emptage, Freya Zywko and Sebastian Zywko.
Completing Vale’s national champions across the children, teen and adult categories were Harry Bevan, Henry Cox, Noah Hurst, Edward James, Jack James, Marcin Jedrzejowski, Naveh Kraus, Cullen Maher, Scott Naylor, Natasha Turner and Rocco Washington.
Discussing the reasons for Vale’s success, Davis said: “I know what it takes to win, I know the physical side of things but also the mental side of it.
“I’m enthusiastic and love teaching, and the students thrive off that.
“We’re there to support each other and we’re there for a shoulder to cry on.
“A lot of it comes down to the students wanting to be better and be the best version of themselves.”
Davis is regularly on the search for potential future national champions to join Vale, and said: “We all have to start somewhere and I know there are more budding national champions walking around out there who haven’t taken the hardest step of starting their martial arts journey.
“We welcome all newcomers and are proof we can create confident and successful individuals.”
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To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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