Huddersfield’s Aaliyah Powell has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in South Korea.
And the 12-year-old student of Kirkburton Middle School flew out to Muju on Sunday.
Taekwondo is an Olympic sport which became much more high-profile when Jade Jones won gold at London 2012.
Leading up to the championships, Aaliyah has been training six times a week at Sasan Quest Taekwondo Club, based in Marsh.
The team at the club are coached by Master Mike Mckenzie (7th Dan) and Siamak Zafari (7th Dan).
McKenzie, the 2012 GB Olympic Sport Manager and award-winning coach, has recently taken over the Quest team.
Mckenzie said: “Aaliyah being selected for Great Britain is a massive achievement in itself and is a major step towards the long-term goal of making the Olympic team.”
This is not the first time Aaliyah has been selected for such a prestigious event. Back in November 2014 she put her skills to the test at the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships where she won a silver medal, representing England.
Aaliyah’s parents, Clinton and Sharron, said: “We are a little nervous, excited and very proud.
“Watching our daughter put on the Great Britain team uniform brings tears of joy.
“We would like to thank GB Taekwondo, the coaches, family and friends who have helped Aaliyah’s progression to date.”
Aaliyah thanked the community for donations and also her sponsors, who include: DGS Consultant, Kirkburton Middle School, Dave Hanson (physio at Huddersfield Town) and the players and staff, Marsh Co-op, Denzle Simpson and the Jamaica National Council, Kirklees Council TASS, Huddersfield Giants, MAF Properties, Paul Simpson, Speedibake, Discovery Bay Restaurant, Mike McKenzie, Quest Taekwondo, Siamak Zafari, Charlotte John, Batley’s cash and carry, June Bryan and Jason Douglas.
Anyone wanting to support Aaliyah can call Clinton Powell on 07780 704004.
