JUNIOR black belts Maxim Boyce Davies and Peter Morris, both members of Alton Learn Taekwon-Do, have been selected for the ITF England team to compete in the European Championships in Finland at the end of April.

Maxim retains his place after making the team in 2015, while Peter has qualified for the first time after earning his black belt last year.

Other Alton members of the same class have been picked for development and will also attend national squad sessions in the run-up to the championships.

ITF taekwon-do is the original version of the martial art which was born in 1955 and not the taekwondo seen at the Olympics. The Olympic version is a Korean style that came later.

As a result, all government funding goes to the Olympic style and ITF national teams rely on financial help from their own associations and sponsors.

Any local companies interested in sponsoring Alton’s junior black belts can contact instructor Paul Adams on 07932 058059.

Seventeen Alton members were included in Paul Adams’ squad of 28 which travelled to Tonbridge for the first leg of the Vision Taekwon-Do League Championships.

Around 200 competitors from Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Devon took part and Learn Taekwon-Do returned with a remarkable 45 medals.

The Alton representatives claimed nine gold, 11 silver and seven bronze medals. A great day for the club who train at Wootey School.

For information about taekwon-do classes in Alton, visit the website www.learntkd.com