TAGB fighters are Worlds beaters Uddingston win 17 medals in Birmingham

Fighters from Uddingston’s TAGB taekwondo club brought home 17 medals from the Taekwondo International Championships in Birmingham last month.

The club won eight golds, seven silver and two bronze medals from the competition, plus a secondplace trophy for Michelle Duffy in the ladies’ international team event at the competition, which was spread over two days and saw 3,720 competitors from 30 countries take part.

Teams travelled from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, USA, Australia, Canada, Argentina, St Maarten (Caribbean), Nepal, Spain and Norway, amongst others to the Championships.

Uddingston’s Michelle Duffy was called up to take part in the international event, where she moved up from lightweight to heavyweight and fought well, securing a second place in a hardfought battle against the English ladies’ team.

The men’s team performed well also, but were narrowly beaten in the semi-final to give them a third place. Medals went to: Individual sparring, world champions: Ryan John Black, Louisa Gilluley, Lucy Buchanan.

Individual sparring: Scott Mcwilliams (silver), Jon Maxwell (silver).

Patterns: (bronze).

Team sparring, world champions: Scott Mcwilliams, Nicole Gilluley, Mya Munro, Nicole Gilluley Lucy Buchanan, Ellis Neil. Team sparring: Aidan Carlin (silver), Orla Mclean (silver), Laura Mckean (silver), Zak Maxwell (silver) and Jodi Smith (bronze).

Instructor Kirsty Izat said: “We are all really proud of everyone who took part in these championships, whether they medalled or not.

“The amount of grit and determination it takes to stand up and compete in such an event is outstanding. For the guys and girls to bring home 17 medals from such a tough tournament was an outstanding achievement, I am so proud of them all.

“Credit to each of them, they put in the extra training during the week and at the weekends, and it obviously paid off.” Miss Izat and her students train at Uddingston Sports Centre on Monday and Wednesday nights.

There are classes available for tots, juniors and adults, and a separate assisted learning class.

The first lesson is free, there is no monthly contract. Call Kirsty on 07733 337545.

Congratulations to TAGB fighters Jonathan Maxwell (back left), Mark Gilluley, Gillian Mcwilliams, Michal Mcgraw, Laura Mclean, Michelle Duffy; Kirsty Izat (middle left), Aiden Carlin, Nicole Gilluley, Mya Munro, Lucy Buchanan, Jodi Smith, Zak Maxwell,...