Forres Taekwon-do Dunbar Blackbelt Academy return with haul of medals from North Lanarkshire Open

A LOCAL taekwon-do club returned with a healthy haul of medals from a competition in the central belt.

Twelve Forres Taekwon-do Dunbar Blackbelt Academy members came from the North Lanarkshire Open, which took place at the Ravenscraig Sports Centre in Motherwell, with a total of 15 medals.

Maree McDonough, club instructor, was "proud" with the efforts of her students – many of whom were taking part in their first competition.

"There were five beginners from our adults beginners class on a Monday, which makes the fact that they got medals more impressive," she said.

"They all did really well. The way they conducted themselves was a huge credit to themselves and they did me proud. They really rose to the challenge."

In the junior section, Evie Garrow (10) was a gold medal winner for blue belt patterns, while Lewis Mackintosh (14) won two bronze medals.

Kimberley Garrow and Gary Mackintosh, two experienced club members, picked up four medals between them.

There were five adults competing at their maiden competition. All currently take part in the club's adult beginner class, which runs on a Monday night. All won medals.

These were Gayle Verner (two golds); Nicole Cook (two silvers); Kay Fraser-Cameron (two bronzes); Stuart Ramsey (bronze) and Joanna Mackintosh (bronze).

In total, there were 350 competitors from 25 club at Ravenscraig. Forres Taekwon-do Dunbar Blackbelt finished 13th – a result Maree was impressed with given the amount of debutants in the team.

Forres Taekwon-do Dunbar Blackbelt Academy, which teaches from age four up, has more than 100 students at present. There are 12 classes per week, six on a Monday and six on a Friday.

The club is set to celebrate its 40th birthday in 2023, having moved to Forres from Kinloss in 1983.

For information on how to get involved with the club, visit www.facebook.com/ForresTaekwonDoBlackbeltAcademy.

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