Martial artists from South Gloucestershire to represent England

Kieran McDermott, 25, Ben Turner, 23, and Elliane Reader, 17, from the South West Taekwondo Academy (SWTKD), have been chosen for the national team.

The trio successfully completed challenging try-outs to earn their spot with the International Taekwon-Do Federation England.

The trio will now compete at the World Championship which is due to take place in Porec, Croatia from October 6 to 12.

Master Vaughan Buxton, club instructor and a 7th degree black belt, said: "They have worked incredibly hard over the years and it’s an amazing achievement to be selected to represent your country."

The students had to go through a rigorous selection process at Grace Academy, Solihull, Birmingham.

They had to impress with their performances at the trials and were judged on their achievements at local and regional competitions throughout the year.

Coach Gavin Reader, a 3rd degree black belt and a sports coach for two decades, said: "The students not only performed well at competitions, but have shown a positive attitude and resilience throughout their training.

"They have been prepared to put in the hard work, listen to their instructors and learn lessons along the way.

"As a club, we are all very proud of them."

Kieran, a third-degree black belt, is a first-class graduate in law with business from the University of the West of England (UWE) and works as a trainee solicitor.

He is a former World and European champion who took up the sport at the age of five.

Ben, a second-degree black belt, studied sports rehabilitation at UWE and now works as a neurological physiotherapist.

He was named best overall male at the European Championships last year.

Elliane, a third-degree black belt, is the youngest competitor from the club.

She is no stranger to competing at an international level, having won a European Championship title and earning her black belt by the age of 11.

More recently, she won gold and silver medals at the European Championships held in Cardiff last summer.

She said: "We are delighted to have been selected for the national team.

"We are very grateful for all the support of our instructors - not just in training but for all the work they do behind the scenes to make this possible."

The South West Taekwondo Academy holds weekly training sessions in Thornbury and Lyde Green, including black belt training and squad sessions every other Saturday.

SWTKD Thornbury, which caters for children as young as four, holds classes at Thornbury Leisure Centre on Monday and Thursday evenings, along with black belt and squad training at Turnberrie's Community Centre every other weekend.