​Gold medal joy for Aiden

A RIPON Grammar School martial arts competitor is celebrating winning gold at international championships.

Aiden Ng took first place on the podium in his category in the Olympic sport of taekwondo at the International Kyongi University Open Poomsae Championships.

The online event, hosted by Harrogate’s Team KTA taekwondo academy, was live-streamed over YouTube and Facebook and attracted 170 competitors from 30 countries including Denmark, Canada and Iran.

Aiden, who lives in Ripon and has been competing for seven years, said:” “My biggest short-term goal is to earn my black belt, and to compete in national championships.”

The 15-year-old aspiring criminal lawyer, who plans to study history, politics and maths at A-level, added: “What appeals to me most about taekwondo is its rapidity and adaptability. It’s a versatile sport that has helped improve my physical wellbeing, balance, and power.”

He won gold in the junior (aged 15-17) K1 section of the competition, which relates to the different coloured belts.

Aiden, who is a ‘black tag’ belt, explained: “Taekwondo poomsae is a series of recognised martial arts patterns, each corresponding to a certain ranking, which gradually become more complicated.

“In a face-to-face competition, I would perform two different poomsae, graded out of ten, four for accuracy and six for presentation (consisting of three factors worth two points each, expression, power & speed, and coordination) in front of five judges.”

Originally from Hong Kong, where he competed in the sport with his local club, he is now a member of Harrogate’s Team KTA: “My greatest accomplishment has been gaining a silver in a regional (Hong Kong) freestyle sparring competition,” says.

In addition to taekwondo, he is also taking his piano diploma, plays the saxophone, and enjoys climbing.