Pip takes gold and silver in nationals

RISING Taekwondo star Pip Robinson claimed gold and silver medals at prestigious British championships.

The 12-year-old, who is preparing for her first international competition in Rotterdam in April, was taking part in the Global Taekwondo UK (GTUK) Individual British Championships in Coventry.

She blew away the competition in the special technique category, where she took first place on the podium, also taking silver in the sparring technique, which she says was totally unexpected.

Boarding pupil Pip, from Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria, who trains with GTUK England squad in the Midlands, first took up taekwondo when she was five.

Unbeaten for the past four years in the flying high kicks, she achieved her black belt last year.

“I love the discipline of taewondo. It forces me to think of so many things at once and to concentrate and I enjoy being part of a close-knit club.

Her club coach, Miss Price, is her inspiration: “She’s a great coach and has been a huge support, getting me through my black belt on six weeks’ notice. She was also part of the team which moved all the training online during lockdown so that I could continue practising,” she said.

She hopes to become a referee and perhaps a coach in future.