HOLLYWOOD stunt women and double gold medallists better watch out as a gifted eight-year-old has just smashed her black belt in Taekwondo – on her first attempt.

Inspired by the likes of Chloe Bruce, who has starred in films such as Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy, and GB champion Jade Jones, youngster Crystal Jefferson, has been showing her own ‘girl power’ by achieving the prestigious grading.

The Middlestone Moor Primary School pupil has been training at Chi Taekwondo club, in Spennymoor, since she was just four and impressed judges at the grading event on Saturday where she had to perform patterns, sparring and demonstrate breaking a tough black belt board.

Proud parents, Kelly and David Jefferson, said their daughter has always been dedicated to the sport and trains four times a week with instructors Russell Shaw, Neil Hockworth and Marrissa Brown.

Mrs Jefferson said: “Crystal was doing gymnastics and spotted the gym on the way home and said she would like to try it and she has been there ever since.”

Crystal has worked her way through ten belts before attempting her black belt – the most difficult for her age - and is currently the youngest member of the club to hold the accolade.

Speaking about the grading she said: “It was really hard but I love everything about taekwondo and have made lots of friends.”

Crystal, who trains up to eight hours a week, is also part of the club’s demonstrations team and hopes to make a career out of the sport when she is older.

She has also been able to show off her ‘prize’ to her school friends and said it was great to achieve the belt just in time for Christmas.

Crystal joked: “I took it into school and one of the boys ran away and said ‘please don’t hurt me’.”

Mr Russell, who is chief instructor for Spennymoor and has trained Crystal from her very first session, said the achievement was “excellent” especially for a child so young.

He said: “Black belt is a big achievement especially at such a young age – she’s done it in record time.

“Crystal is quite gifted any way but she’s really put the work in and has been doing private lessons.”

He added: “Week in week out, it’s a massive commitment on a child’s life especially for their social life but she has a natural flair for it and it just shows how hard work pays off.

Mr Shaw said the achievements of women such as Bruce and Jones are continuing to inspire girls to take up the hobby and they are currently leading the sport in the UK, outweighing the number of boys who train.

Mr Shaw said Crystal could follow in the footsteps of the celebrities especially after achieving her black belt at such a young age.

He said: “She’s got massive potential – the world is her oyster and we are very proud of her.

“She’s a little sweetheart.”