Taekwondo star Connor returns back home with Euro Gold
A 12-YEAR-OLD from Kingseat has returned as European champion from a major competition in Madrid.
Connor Smith, who trains with UKTC Dunfermline, secured his title success at the ITFU Taekwondo Open European Championship.
He was the only competitor from Fife in a 24-strong
Scotland squad at the three-day championship in the Spanish capital, winning gold in the under-13 black tag patterns, along with bronze for sparring.
Connor’s gold medal win came in an all-Scotland final against one of his squad mates, with the talented youngster showing great perseverance and determination to come out on top.
It’s a great reward for the effort, dedication and hard work he’s put into his sport since the age of just four, and he was in something of a state of disbelief when he clinched the title.
It’s been a fine year for
Connor, who started 2023, by winning silver and bronze in the Champions League in January for patterns and sparring respectively.
In February, he picked up gold and bronze at the Scottish Championships for special technique and sparring, and at the English Championships in April, he returned with a bronze for sparring.
Next up was the WITC European Championships in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, in June, when Connor won bronze from a pool of 39 competitors for patterns and another bronze for team sparring.
In September, before heading out to Madrid, Connor won gold for patterns and silver for sparring in the UK Championships.
Following on from his competition success, Connor is now focused on achieving the rank of 1st Dan black belt.
Richard Glennie, fourth degree instructor and one of six national coaches, said: “I’m delighted for Connor on winning his gold and bronze medal at the recent Madrid European championships. His commitment and hard work has paid off.
“This is a well deserved achievement and all the Dunfermline instructors are very proud of him. Connor will be sitting his black belt exam in December, which will end a great year for him.”