WHEN he puts on the 'Do-Bok' of the United Kingdom team competing at the World Taekwon-do champion-ships in Rome next month there will be no prouder wearer of their coveted white jacket then a young Tavistock martial artist. For Tate Budge from Tavistock College it will be 'a dream come true' to be selected as one of the youngest members of the UK team to represent his country and fight at the highest level in his chosen sport. Although only just 14 it has taken Tate ten years of determination and dedication to Taekwon-do to earn a place among the world's elite and he is really looking forward to the challenge. Tate last month took silver in the UK ITF Taekwon-do Champion-ships held in Swindon in the U16s patterns (a set of fundamental movements, mainly defence and attack, set in a logical sequence to deal with one or more imaginary opponents). He told the Times: 'I have never been more excited in my life. Now it's a question of holding my nerve and thinking whether I have done enough training. I am so excited to be in the GB team and so happy. It is everything I have worked towards over these past nine years which has now come down to this and I will give it my best. Just by being selected has given me so much confidence.' When Tate was just three years-old a leaflet came through the Budge family home advertising Taekwon-do classes and his great uncle Ted, who is now deceased and a former RAF serviceman who used to box himself, thought it would be good discipline for Tate to take up. So as a birthday present for his fourth birthday his parents David and Andrea enrolled their boy at the South Coast Martial Arts class in Tavistock College and he took to the sport 'like a duck to water'. An enthusiastic Tate soon made his way through all the grades with credits and distinctions, and, amazingly, was awarded his first Taekwon-do black belt at the tender age of nine – one of the youngest in the country to do so. Being so young he could not spar in competitions but aged 13, in his first competitive event, which was held in Wales, he came home with a silver in the patterns and a bronze in the sparring. Soon after in Paignton, he went on to become the English champion for his age group, taking gold in sparring, silver in patterns and bronze in high kicks. At one tournament Tate saw a man with a black belt who had a tracksuit with 'England' emblazoned on the back and remembered thinking 'that's what I want to wear'. Now, following his success in Swindon a proud, but modest, Tate is going to fulfil that wish. However, with all the well earned success, there are more demands for the young martial artist to compete at the highest level — especially financially. Although competing at the highest level Tate does not receive any funding from the sport's national body and would be grateful to local people and businesses for sponsorship to help him in his quest. Tate, who also plays football for Tavistock Community FC U17s and boxes at Bodyzone as well as kickboxes, thanks Tavistock College for their contribution towards his Taekwon-do and the support of the South Coast Martial Arts clubs in Tavistock and Plymouth. However, his mum Andrea said over the years it has cost thousands to enable their son to travel to tournaments. 'There are flights, hotels, insurance, kit, travel and meals – it is all very costly,' she said. 'In the past year Tate has been competing or training in Swindon, Birmingham, Wales, Truro, Plymouth and now has to go to Bristol every week to train with the national squad. Because of his age someone has to go with him. His dad David is his backbone — you can count on one hand the training sessions he has missed with Tate over the years. 'But it is not just about money. Taekwon-do is not a well known sport like football or tennis so it does not attract the sponsorship. Tate has worked so hard and just hopes that people appreciates his efforts. He's not one to shout about his success and I think for a local lad to represent his country is quite an achievement.' There will be a good luck send off for Tate at the Walkhampton Inn on Saturday, July 12 from 7pm with snail racing starting from 8pm which is open to anyone who knows Tate and would like to wish him well for the trip to Rome. Anyone who would like to sponsor Tate please call Christina Budge on 01822 615338 or on 07903 434785 or email [email protected]">[email protected]