Jack Lockwood of Kirkheaton is again a national champion at taekwondo.

The 16-year-old Premier Taekwondo Club member travelled to Manchester for the event, which was the biggest British Nationals ever with over 750 competitors.

He started at Kirklees College this month but has continued to train hard for taekwondo, working three times a week throughout the summer.

Despite an injury keeping him away from competition, he has also managed to keep up his training at the GB Academy, where he is a member of the Elite Junior Development Squad.

Lockwood started the tournament (which he won as a cadet in 2012) against Sean Wilson from Southampton, winning 9-3.

In the quarter-finals, he then found his rhythm, beating Bergamini by 18-7.

His semi-final was against Paul Finney from Anfield Liverpool, which he won 14-9 to earn a final place against Liverpool’s Korin Rainford.

Lockwood, still hurting from last year’s defeat in the final, was determined not to let history repeat itself.

Lockwood took control of the final early on, ending the first round a solid 6-1 up.

By the end of the second, he had consolidated his lead at 12-4.

In the final round, Lockwood powered through with a final headshot to end the contest with a 12-point gap. Lockwood was presented with his gold medal by British Taekwondo President Adrian Tranter.

He said: “I went to the Championship with a game plan.

“I really wanted to win, not only for the title but as I have a real chance to be picked for England for the sixth Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships in November, and for GB at the Junior Europeans next year.”

He added: “I wanted also to win for my mum and dad who support me all the way, especially as my dad has recently broken four ribs and punctured a lung in an accident and couldn’t make it to watch this year.”

Father Lez said: “I was desperate to go but just couldn’t, I was getting the score point by point via text and was on the edge of my seat.”

Jane, Lockwood’s mum, commented: “Jack works so hard and we’re very proud of him.”