WORCESTER Taekwondo and Kickboxing held their annual awards evening after a successful year.

Students performed at both national and international competitions.

They won many medals across the United Kingdom in both taekwondo and kickboxing.

Worcester competitors also did well at the Kickboxing World Championships in London.

The students have been successful at their gradings this year and many have been promoted to senior level.

The club are in their second year and have doubled in size with an influx of new members. Every year, their black belts decide on the students who showed most progress or outstanding achievement.

They are honoured at the awards evening with a trophy and certificate.

Senior competitor of the year was William Tinsley, who fought successfully in every contest the club entered this year, including the Kickboxing World Championships.

He has competed with good sportsmanship and talent throughout the year.

At a charity competition in Birmingham, Tinsley was second in the black belt sparring, losing to a club-mate.

Junior competitor of the year was awarded to Katie Newton, who won medals in various categories.

Her sparring and patterns have improved and she helps coach other students at the club.

The club said Newton handled defeat and poor refereeing well and with maturity, showing a winning attitude.

Most improved student of the year went to Emily Lamidieu, who joined early in 2014 with her partner Victor.

As her training continued, she gained more confidence each week and her techniques improved substantially.

Lamidieu performed well at her first grading, showing she had learnt all the techniques and the tricky Korean terminology associated with the martial art.

Student of the year Alice Laverty joined at the start of 2014 and, along with her talent, has been an example to fellow students with her attitude.

She has competed at a high level and won many medals during the year.

Laverty did not walk away empty-handed from any competition and was sometimes placed in belt categories senior to her own.

She has always helped struggling students and performed at high standards in every grading. The club say Laverty is an excellent role model to the children in the class.

Joe Mitchell won the personal best award due to his enhanced attitude, while William Anderson-Stevens won most improved grading for working on his technique.

Classes start again on Thursday, January 8, from 8pm until 9pm at Worcester Swimming Pool, Samsome Walk. The club are offering a month’s free training to all new members.

For more information, call Sally Gleaves on 07813-117684, visit worcestertkd.weebly.com or find them on Facebook.