MEMBERS of the Alton branch of Learn TKD Taekwon-Do were among 33 competitors who travelled to the Netherlands for the 2016 Dutch Open Championships in the town of Best.

The Dutch Open is the first of many international taekwon-do tournaments held during the year and is one of the most popular, attracting some 600 competitors from all over Europe, including European and world champions.

Junior black belts Peter Morris, Eoin Hosking and George Doran were competing in their first ever international event and it promised to be a tough test. Whatever happened, they were going to pick up valuable experience.

Junior colour belts James Troughton and Reuben Gilbert were also first-timers, while Cian Hosking was competing for the second year running.

Colour belt ladies Ali Morris and Melanie Lusted also accompanied instructor/coach Paul Adams, along with members of his Aldershot and Guildford schools.

At the end of a long and tiring weekend, the Alton members returned home with three medals. Peter Morris won silver in the black belt patterns and bronze in the black belt sparring, while Reuben Gilbert took bronze in the junior yellow belt patterns.

The other Alton members also did well, most of them missing a medal slot by just one round.

Aldershot member Maxim Boyce Davies was on track for gold in the black belt sparring, but tore a ligament during his semi-final win and had to pull out of the final and settle for silver.

Overall, the 33 Learn TKD members won three golds, seven silvers and nine bronzes.

For information on taekwon-do classes in Alton, contact Paul Adams on 07932 058059 or visit his website www.learn-tkd.com