SHINE: Salendine Nook Taekwondo champion aims for the Olympics

Jul 7 2009 by Katie Grant, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Salendine Nook Toekwondo champion aims for the Olympics

We are celebrating the fact that Huddersfield’s young people have got bags of talent. The Examiner is partnering national Shine Week to showcase young talent in our area – in all its many forms. Today KATIE GRANT reports on a teenager with an Olympic goal.

RICHARD Rathod dreams of competing in the Olympics.

And the 18-year-old Taekwondo champion is getting closer to his goal.

The Salendine Nook teenager has already won a string of medals and his determination really “Shines”.

That’s why he’s been chosen as an example of local talent as part of Shine Week.

Shine Week is a national festival of talent and achievement in all young people.

And each day we are profiling the talent that Kirklees has to offer.

Richard has just recovered from a hairline fracture in his foot and he has only just started training again with Team Taekwondo in Brighouse.

The Huddersfield New College student trains every day.

The 18-year-old said: “I’d like to go to the Olympics – it’s a bit of a fairytale because there’s a lot of competition out there and it’s a long, long road.

“I’m looking to start going abroad to compete and try and win a European medal – that’s my goal at the moment.”

Richard was keen on karate and judo, and went along with a friend to Taekwondo when he was 11-years-old.