By Mark Ramsay

YOUNG Darlington fighter Sophie Ward was crowned British Champion for the fifth time at the Taekwondo National Championships at Manchester.

Ward’s club, Darlington Taekwondo, sent three fighters to the event with the 16-year-old winning gold in her category, Stephen Johnson, 15, claiming a bronze and Jamie-Lee Hayman, 19, losing by one point to the eventual winner, a GB Taekwondo Team member, in a preliminary round.

As a result of their strong performances all three have been selected to represent Team England at the forthcoming Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships in Scotland this weekend, an event that follows on from the main Commonwealth Games.

Ward, who has been training in Taekwondo since she was nine-years old, and was crowned Most Promising New Talent at the Northern Echo’s Local Heroes Awards, said: “I am confident going into the games this weekend.

“A lot of the people there took part in the National Championships so I have a good idea of what I’m up against.”

To represent Team England fighters must self fund the cost of their equipment, team uniform and all associated training, travel and entry fees.

Johnson, the youngest member, said: “We did a bag pack at Morrison’s for me, Sophie and Jamie to be able to fight in different places.”

The trio has also been training on a weekly basis at Manchester with the Great Britain team to ensure they are in the best shape possible for the games.

Jamie-Lee, who is currently studying Sports Therapy at Teesside University, said: “Going to Manchester to train obviously helps us develop but it’s quite difficult to get there on a regular basis.

“I was lucky enough to train with the GB senior team for two weeks not long ago and I enjoyed it a lot, it was a good relaxed atmosphere.”

Stephen added: “I feel I’ve adapted well to the step up in training at Manchester and I’m confident I could get a medal this weekend “I am going to keep going (with Taekwondo) and hopefully one day get into the GB team, I’ve really enjoyed training down there.”

Darlington Taekwondo Club runs training sessions on Cobden Street on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6.30-8pm but the schedule for the three fighters off to Manchester has been changed.

“We’ll be doing a lot more sparring and fitness work in training this week building up to the championships,” said Stephen.