Taekwondo second dan to train with Great Britain junior team

A BLACK belt is making a martial art out of his sport after being selected to train with Team GB.

Stephen Johnson, a student at St Aidan’s Academy, Darlington, has been invited to train at weekends in Manchester with the Great Britain junior Taekwondo squad.

The 16-year-old member of Chi Taekwondo Club, Darlington and Spennymoor, is preparing for the Junior European Championships due to take place in September.

A second dan black belt, Stephen has been competing since he was nine and hopes to take part in future Olympic Games. He trains four times a week.

“It just started as a hobby and I really enjoyed it – then I was spotted,” said Stephen, who represented England in last year’s Commonwealth Championships where we won a bronze medal.

“It really pays to keep calm and win points and the martial arts really help me in my life and at school.”

St Aidan’s Academy principal Nicole Gibbon said: “As a PE teacher it always astounds me to see outstanding students like Stephen performing even better in their own sporting arena.

“He is truly an inspiration within the academy and within his sport.”