PUBLISHED 07 December 2021
Here, Charlotte tells us about her recent achievement and plans for the future...
"Last week, I entered a British Open Taekwondo Tournament in Manchester. There were 13 countries competing, some from as far away as Morocco. Before the kyorugi (sparring) began, all competitors had to be weighed to make sure they were in the correct weight category. We then got into our full kits and protective pads. Helmets had to be worn as headshots are allowed if you are over the age of 8.
Kyorugi lasts for 3 minutes and is split into two rounds. It’s the most incredible exhausting three minutes and you need to have a lot of stamina. To gain a point, you must kick the opponent in the chest or head. You can lose points for fouling your opponent or stepping out of the area.
The fight to get through to the final was close. I won 15:12. I knew at this point, that I would achieve gold or silver. The final fight was equally close. There were moments when I was ahead but it finished 11:9 to my opponent. I achieved the silver medal in my weight category and I am so proud of myself.
In the future, I’m hoping to compete in other international competitions and maybe travel to other countries to compete there. I am also hoping to grade to become a black belt second dan, next Saturday".
Congratulations Charlotte, this is an exceptional achievement. We're very proud of you and look forward to following your progress!