FARNHAM School of Tae Kwon Do took a squad of six competitors to the GTI Tae Kwon Do British Open Championships in Cheltenham.

Fine performances were put in by Monty Warner, Oliver Contreras and Duncan Warner in their respective coloured belt patterns divisions, yielding a bronze medal for Oliver and a silver for Duncan.

Despite some technically strong sparring, youngsters Monty Warner and Ollie Verrian were outpointed by more experienced opponents.

Farnham’s first sparring medal of the day was gold in colour and went to 12-year-old Kenzie Power, who used her kicks to good effect to score an emphatic win in the final of her point-stop sparring division and attain her first GTI British title.

The ever-improving Oliver Contreras, also 12, lost his final by the narrowest of margins to bring home a hard-earned silver.

After missing most of the year through injury, 13-year-old Archie Riley was determined to make up for missed opportunities and, displaying a combination of skill and determination, reached the final of his continuous sparring division.

This proved to be one of the closest encounters of the day, with Archie prevailing over his spirited opponent after two extra rounds and adding a GTI British title to his tournament successes.

Representing the adults from Farnham School of Tae Kwon Do, Duncan Warner impressed everyone with his spirited sparring in three highly competitive bouts in the men’s over-40s division, bringing home the bronze medal.

Coach Tim Ayres-Townshend said: “Everyone should be commended for their effort and exemplary sporting behaviour. They are all growing in experience. These events take them away from their comfort zone and, whatever the results, help them to develop as martial artists.”