Bungay Taekwondo Club, which is based at the high school, has had a fantastic start to the tournament season of 2009.Twenty-three students from the club travelled the 115 miles to Kettering in Northamptonshire for the Eastern Region GTUK Inter-Club Challenge and swept up a whole host of medals in all divisions.

Bungay Taekwondo Club, which is based at the high school, has had a fantastic start to the tournament season of 2009.

Twenty-three students from the club travelled the 115 miles to Kettering in Northamptonshire for the Eastern Region GTUK Inter-Club Challenge and swept up a whole host of medals in all divisions.

The quality of patterns was high, but the sparring was even better, with fierce battles often going into extra time and even sudden death.

Destruction was very tough, with some very large competitors, but overall Bungay achieved 27 medals including 12 gold, nine silver and six bronze.

Families did really well with Nidge, Suzi, Bridie, Logan and Kal Bedingfield all reaching the podium, alongside Ed and Will Everson and Sophie and Jenna Akerman.

Other winners were Ben Howlett-Cobb, George Crickmore, Fiona Larter, Andy Hibbins, Luke Frost, Claire Sloan and the club instructor Clinton Gillett.

Martin and Adam Sloan, Lianne and Ryan Hatcher, Rory and Patitia Larter and Tom Raven all competed really well but narrowly missed out on the medals.

The points gained nearly brought home the area trophy, but Bungay missed out to Wellingborough - a town and club triple the size of Bungay - by just 15 points, beating other much larger clubs along the way, such as Cambridge, Kettering, Roade, Northampton, Raunds and Grange Park.

Clinton Gillett, the club instructor, said: “All students had done themselves and the club proud.

“Even those who did not achieve a medal demonstrated determination, power and ability. The sense of comradeship and team spirit was commented on by many of the other clubs, and other instructors were in awe of the club.”

If you would like to see the club train, or have a go at this Olympic martial art, come along to the high school on Tuesday or Thursday evenings from 7pm or contact Clinton Gillett on 01986 892140 for further details.