FIVE students from Okehampton's branch of BOP! Tae Kwon-Do Schools took part in this year's South West Championships.

It was a special competition as it marked the exact date that the first Tae Kwon-Do club was opened in the South West area, 40 years ago.

Kate Burgess, a first time competitor, came home with a silver medal for her pattern. Her two sons also competed in patterns; youngest son Daniel is especially keen to try again. He has also been inspired to enter a sparring division next time.

Junior entrants Nathan and Olivia, both red belts, narrowly lost out on medals for patterns. Nathan, who is hoping to take his black belt grading in April, proved his worth with a bronze in sparring and Olivia was delighted to take home a silver medal.

Instructor Guy Southard was happy with these results and said: 'Although the youngest two didn't get medals, they were in a big division and both did their best, the same as the junior red belts. Kate came very close to getting gold.

'In the playoff there was only one point in it. Nathan and Olivia were close to getting pattern medals and I'm not too surprised that they did well at sparring: they are proof that practice pays off.'