A BARNSLEY teenager who started taekwondo ‘as a bit of fun’ has gone on to win an array of titles - including being named the British champion SEVEN times.
Adrianna Beard, of Upper Sheffield Road, is one of the best up and coming stars in the sport - and her stock is only rising as she continues to win title after title.
But she admits it all started as a bit of fun.
She told the Chronicle: “I was introduced to taekwondo by two of my primary school friends Roxy and Freya.
“I tagged along with them, for the fun of it to begin with.
“Then my passion grew for the sport, and I started training with John Stopforth and Ashley Shaw, at Lion Taekwondo.
“I attended local competitions and began working my way up to becoming a black belt.
“I still train with Lion on Monday evenings and enjoy supporting some of the children starting out.”
Adrianna, is now a member of PremierKi Taekwondo Club and she was called up to Team GB’s Poomsae regiment at the age of just 12.
Poomsae comprises sets of pre-arranged defence and attacking movements that gradually become more complex as you progress your development in taekwondo.
She said: “My coach Gemma Biescas is very supportive of my taekwondo journey and provides me with a high standard of coaching, training and support.
“I was selected by the Great Britain Poomsae department and became part of the national squad at the age of 12.
“I have won numerous medals and titles along the way, including being the National British Champion seven times over, in all three categories - under 11, under 14 and finally under 17.”
Last year, Adrianna was selected to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in Hong Kong.
In the individual section she made it to the quarter finals, ultimately finishing in fifth place.
She said it was an ‘amazing experience’ and was overwhelmed when she managed to meet her idol Eva Sandersen - a nine-time world medalist and 11-time European champion from Denmark.
And the youngster is hoping to follow in her idol’s footsteps - and she’s certainly on the right track to do so.
She added: “In Estonia I made history by becoming a double European champion.
“I won the gold in the Individuals and Pairs, with one of my best friends Louis Exton.
“We are the first ever GB junior pair to win gold and I was the first GB female Junior athlete to win a European gold medal in the last 25 years.
“This was an overwhelming experience - something I will never forget.”
And Adrianna says she’d encourage anyone to get involved with the sport.
She said: “I have made some of my best friends in my taekwondo community - I will them cherish for a lifetime.
“I love taekwondo, it’s provided me with an opportunity to strengthen and develop my resilience, focus, discipline and respect along with strong core values of this amazing martial art.”
Dad Darren added: “I’m so proud of her and I don’t think she realises just what she’s achieved - she was out of this world in Estonia and I had a lump in my throat watching her.
“I’ve always known she was capable of it and I’d like to thank everyone for their support.
“Let’s go Ado.”
