A teen from Rutland has had an incredibly successful month, both fighting her way to victory at a national taekwondo competition and then earning her black belt.

Ashleigh from Rutland has bagged a silver and gold medal at a recent taekwondo competition in Sheffield.

Taekwondo, also spelled tae kwon do or taekwon-do, is a Korean martial art involving punching and kicking techniques. The literal translation for taekwondo is "kicking", "punching" and "the art or way of".

The recent British Championships took place in October, and welcomed hundreds of spectators in what would be a hugely successful weekend for a young athlete from Rutland.

Trained by Stamford and Oakham TKD, Ashleigh has been competing for years, and training with the help of the 'Masters' for even longer.

On top of completing her school work and competing across the country, Ashleigh also works part time at the popular village pub, The Plough in Greetham, who have supported her trials and tribulations since she began with them over a year ago.

Her hard work has paid off though, and Ashleigh has not only come home from Sheffield with Silver and Gold medals, but has also achieved her black belt.

It usually takes 3 to 5 years to get to this level, and is one of the highest achievements in the internationally recognised martial art form.

Proud mum, Andrea, said: "Ashleigh did very well. She won gold and silver! It is very exciting and we are so proud."

Ashleigh has earned her black belt and come home a champion from the British Championships. Image credit: Andrea.

Meanwhile, her colleagues at The Plough added: "We want to share how immensely proud we are of our young kitchen assistant, Ashleigh!

"Not only did she compete in the Taekwondo British championships but we are so pleased to say, that for the second year running... she won!

They added: "Congratulations to Ashleigh on her achievement of Black belt in Taekwondo too!

"We hope everyone joins us in giving her a huge congratulations."

Congratulations Ashleigh.

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