I have been training with Universal TKD since 2003, progressing from white belt to 4th Dan Black belt.
Throughout this period I have been with Universal TKD, based at the Ludlow club, under Master James Kessler (7th Dan). In 2013 I took on the organisation and teaching at Ludlow Universal TKD as part of my own progression in the sport.
Competitive sport has always been a major part of my life. In my earlier years, prior to taking up taekwon-do, I was a competitive swimmer and National League water polo player. I still like to compete, and do so regularly at both National and International level.
I have had the honour to be selected to represent England in the veterans’ categories at European and World Championships for over six years. So far achieving 4 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 10 bronze medals in international competition.
2017 European Championships
Outside of taekwon-do I have been a teacher for the last twenty plus years. I am currently Headteacher at The Community College Bishop's Castle, Shropshire. I use my teaching and learning background to along with my experiences training with Universal TKD and ITF England to the benefit of my students.
Training at Universal TKD in Shrewsbury (photo credit - Andy Jefferies)
Over the years since taking up taekwon-do I have found that its central tenets of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit have matched well to my own approach to life and work. I have always got a kick out of learning, and helping people to learn, and taekwon-do is structured so that learning can always happen irrespective of what level or grade you are at.
I try to instil this positive growth mindset into all the students I work with so that they are not afraid to have a go and learn from their mistakes.
Bronze in Veterans 3rd Dan Patterns 2018 World Championships, Minsk, Belarus
-80kg Sparring Semi Final - EITF European Championships in Rimini, Italy
2023 EITF European Championships, Rimini, Italy 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze.
2023
World Championships - Astana, Kazakhstan 4th Dan Patterns - Quarter finals
-80kg Sparring - Quarter finals
Veterans Team Patterns - Bronze
Veterans Team Sparring - Bronze
European Championships - Rimini, Italy 4th Dan Patterns - Gold
-80kg Sparring - Bronze
Veterans Team Power - Gold
Veterans Team Patterns - Silver
Veterans Team Sparring - Bronze
2022
UKTA UK Open -80kg Sparring - Gold
4-6th Dan Patterns - Gold
BTF UK Championships -80kg Sparring - Silver
Veterans Patterns - Gold
European Championships - Porec, Croatia 4th Dan Patterns - Gold
-80kg Sparring - Gold
Veterans Team Patterns - Bronze
Veterans Team Sparring - Bronze
2021
2020
UKTA English Open -80kg Sparring - Gold
4-6th Dan Patterns - Bronze
BTF Junior & Veterans Championships -80kg Sparring - Gold
4-6th Dan Patterns - Gold
2019
World Championships - Plovdiv, Bulgaria -80kg Sparring - Bronze
4th Dan Patterns - 1st round v Argentina
Veterans Team Patterns - 1st round v Czech
Veterans Team Sparring - 1st round v Slovenia
BTF Birmingham Open Veterans Patterns - Gold
-80kg Sparring - Gold
UKTA UK Open 4th - 6th Dan Patterns - Bronze
-80kg Sparring - Bronze
BTF British Open Veterans Patterns - Gold
-80kg Sparring - Silver
2018
European Championships - Talinn, Estonia 3rd Dan Patterns - Bronze
-80kg Sparring - Group stages
World Championships - Minsk, Belarus 3rd Dan Patterns - Bronze
-80kg Sparring - Quarter finals v Spain
Veterans Team Patterns - 1st round v Kazakhstan
Veterans Team Sparring - 1st round v Slovenia
UKTA UK Open -80kg Sparring - Gold
UKTA English Open -80kg Sparring - Silver
1-3rd Dan Patterns - Silver
BTF Birmingham Open Veterans Patterns - Gold
-80kg Sparring - Gold
BTF National Championships -80kg Sparring - Bronze
1-3rd Dan Patterns - Silver
BTF British Championships -80kg Sparring - Bronze
1-3rd Dan Patterns - Gold
2017
European Championships - Liverpool, England 3rd Dan Patterns - Silver
-80kg Sparring - 1st round v Slovenia
Veterans Team Patterns - Silver
Veterans Team Sparring - Silver
UKTA English Open -80kg Sparring - Gold
1-3rd Dan Patterns - Silver
BTF Birmingham Open -80kg Sparring - Gold
1-3rd Dan Patterns - Gold
BTF National Championships -80kg Sparring - Bronze
1-3rd Dan Patterns - Gold