TAEKWONDO: A MARTIAL Arts instructor from Coventry scooped gold at the weekend in Wales at the TAGB Welsh Championships held in Cardiff.
Russell Bromage added to his tally of silver and bronze medals over the previous ten years with gold in the 2017 event.
The event proved tough for Bromage as two of his fights went to sudden death extra time after a draw in regulation time.
Russell’s win means his now has his sights set on the British Championships in November, and he’s hoping to inspire his younger students to follow him into competition and hopefully add to Coventry School of Taekwondo’s trophy cabinet.
He said: “I’ve achieved my third degree black belt and I’ll be working towards my fourth in October – that’s a result of 17 years of work.
“It takes a lot of dedication to get to black belt level – you have to learn new patterns, spar, put things back into the organisation, referee and umpire.
“The Coventry Taekwondo scene is strong at the moment.
“There are three clubs in Coventry – it’s the city which started Taekwondo in the UK.”
After competing for 17 years, the 42-year-old now also has an eye on the world championships at the NIA next year.
He said: “There were 900 competitors in Cardiff – all ranging through the different coloured belts.
“At next year’s world championship around 2,500 people will fly in from around the world.
“I’m hoping for a good performance but there’s a lot of work to be done between now and then.”
Training at the Coventry School of Taekwondo takes place every Wednesday and Friday at Lyng Hall School and the AT7 centre from ages five years upwards.
Visit www.covtkd.uk for further information.
