AFTER returning from Moldova as part of Team UK to compete in the European Taekwon-do Championships with a bronze medal in the U18s category, Tavistock’s Tate Budge has now passed his third degree black belt.

Tate, aged 15, took his grading in London and went in front of a panel including grand master Nicholls.

On October 24 he competed at the UK International Taekwon-do Federation national  competition in Crawley, Sussex, where he won two bronze medals and a silver.

Tate has been training in taekwon-do since the the age of four, and despite being current world under 16’s patterns champion, holds his promotion to third degree as one of his greatest achievements.

Tate currently attends Plymouth Studio School and divides his training time between St Austell (Richards TKD), Tavistock (Brit Spirit Martial Arts), regional training in Bristol and with Trenic TKD IN London.

His next major competition is in February after which Tate hopes to be eligible for selection for Team UK once more and make the final squad for the World Championships next July.