TAVISTOCK’s Tate Budge became a national champion on Saturday at the UK ITF Autumn Nationals  (International Taekwon-do Federation), which was held in Crawley, Sussex.

This was Tate’s first domestic competition since winning his second world title at the ITF World Championships in July.

The 17-year-old entered the U18’s third degree male black belt patterns and came away with a gold medal and national champion title as well as winning gold in the U18’s under 65kg sparring and again the national title.

Tate continued his good form and stepped up to the adult third degree black belt patterns  (18-35 years) and also took gold and the title of adult national champion.

His dad David told Times Sport: ‘It was a brilliantly run event and Tate would like to express massive thanks to all involved in the organisation and running of the event.’

Tate continues to combine training with his studies at Plymouth Studio School and regularly travels to St Austell, Bristol and London to train.

There is no international competition in 2017 but thoughts are already heading to the next ITF World Championships in Argentina in 2018.

Tate thanked all of his instructors for the time that they give him, especially Jamie McAvoy, Grand Master Nicholls, Richards TKD and Pete Smith of Brit Spirit Martial Arts.