A pair of Taekwondo clubs from Bungay and Beccles are celebrating after securing an impressive medal haul at a regional tournament.

Martial artists of all ages took part in the GTUK Eastern Area Inter-Club competition in Wellingborough earlier this month.

In total members 19 fighters from Bungay and Beccles managed to accumulate 29 medals – finishing third overall, with Wellingborough and Northampton taking first and second respectively.

Steve King, a sixth degree black belt said: “Bungay and Beccles achieved a fantastic 60 points.

“Considering the distance travelled by competitors the amount of medals won is a real testament to Eastern Taekwondo.”

In the under-12 division Jayden Howgate took home a sublime double gold. The youngster won the medals for his displays in patterns and special techniques.

Jed Baddour won the under-12 sparring final, with a brilliant three head kicks securing the gold medal.

The bronze medal for sparring went to Issac Slater who also took home the silver for patterns.

The clubs also achieved success in the junior division which saw those aged 13 to 17 compete for medals.

Imogen Suttons took home the gold for sparring and bronze for patterns while Daisy Whymarks won gold for patterns and a bronze for sparring.

It was the first competition either athlete had entered.

Bailey Aldrich gained a gold for patterns and silver for sparring while fellow Bungay High School pupil James Thurston won silver for patterns.

In the adult division, Jade Howgate beat team mate Poppy Whymark to achieve a double gold in sparring and patterns, with Poppy taking home the silver in both categories.

Jason Drake achieved the gold medal for black belt destruction and a further two silver medals for patterns and sparring.

For Gary Wheeler, the competition was his first as a black belt and he managed to celebrate the occasion with a double-bronze for patterns and sparring.

Instructors from the clubs also gave special mention to Colby Aldrich who finished fourth in under-12 sparring and Jack and Jess Chapman who competed well but just missed out on medal positions.

For more information about the clubs visit: www.bungay-taekwondo.co.uk or www.beccles-taekwondo.co.uk