TAVISTOCK kickboxer Tate Budge competed in the UK International Taekwon-do Federation's English championships in Paignton, South Devon at the weekend, hoping to take a step closer to inclusion in the UK squad travelling to Moldova this summer for the European Championships.

Tate did brilliantly and won gold in both U16s and U18s male second degree black belt patterns.

Due to the European competition rules all entrants must compete in the age group that they will turn in the year of the competition. So despite only being aged 15 Tate has had to step up to the U18s' category as he turns 16 later this year.

Becoming English U18s' champion, along with British U18s' champion back in October. makes him the top ranked competitor for U18s' second degree black belt patterns and closer to his goal of making the UK squad once more this summer.

Tate will now travel to the UK ITF Finals night later this month where his place in the UK squad will be decided.