STUDENTS from Dragon Taekwondo Academy in Halwill Junction finished their competition year in great style with three gold, one silver and one bronze medal between just three competitors.

The small team travelled to Southampton for their association's national championships. The tournament was organised by the Commonwealth Martial Arts Associations and attracted many competitors across the south of England.

There were four disciplines — Olympic style sparring, patterns, power breaking and speed breaking. The tournament proved to be extremely competitive and tough.

Dragon Alice Morey of Sutcombe Holsworthy, aged 12, won her final by out pointing and out classing an older and more senior opponent. She then went on to win gold in the speed breaking and again she was up against older and higher graded competitors.

For Tom Douglas, 27, this was his first ever martial arts competition and in the process beat the association's power breaking champion, a fourth dan black belt and Tom only missed the gold by a single board, eventually won by a second dan black belt. Tom has been training for just over a year and is only a green belt. He also took a bronze in the patterns — an excellent achievement for this first time competitor.

Ron Horner is no stranger to competitions. He has won many medals in Britain and won awards in European competitions. To see this man still training and competing at the age of 80 years is very humbling. Ron, a fifth dan master, has become a member of Dragon Academy some months back when his club closed in Cornwall.

Niall Grange, the chief instructor of Dragon TKD Academy, and Alex Grange, the team coach, were both delighted and proud with the team members' individual performances and achievements.

Results: Alice Morey, 12; gold for sparring and gold speed breaking. George Douglas, 27; silver for patterns and bronze for patterns. Master Ron Horner, 80; gold for grand senior patterns.

n Training in Taekwondo and the martial art of Hosin-Hapkido (self defence) is every Sunday 10.30am to 12.30pm and Tuesday evening 6.30pm to 8pm at Halwill Junction Parish hall.

For more details call 01409 221458 or visit the website on http://www.devontaekwondo.com">www.devontaekwondo.com