Tavistock College student, Tate Budge, has become a world champion for his age and class in Takwon-do.
Tate, who trains with South Coast Martial Arts, started Taekwon-do at the age of 4. He gained his first degree black belt at the age of 9, followed by his second degree at the age of 11. Over the last few years he has been entering competitions all over the country, winning medals at nearly every stage.
Over the last 12 months Tate has become the Taekwon-do champion for Cornwall, Britain and the UK in the male under 16 second degree patterns. This made Tate eligible to train with Team UK ahead of selection for the World Championships in Rome this July.
Tate travelled to Bristol for squad training as many weekends as he could and was picked to be part of Team UK and compete in Rome this summer.
Tate competed in male 2nd degree patterns at the world championships ……and won, beating competitors from around the world including Canada and Argentina.
Tate was also selected to make up part of the six man junior team for the team events and as part of that won a further two bronze medals for special technique and patterns and one silver for sparring, making his tally four medals in total! However, it’s the gold in his individual event that means the most.
Tate plans to continue to represent his country again at the European Championships next summer in Moldova , followed by the next world championships in London in 2016.