Doncaster taekwondo coach 'optimistic' more young people will try the sport out

It's following taekwondo's exposure during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Author: Chris Davis-SmithPublished 12th Aug 2024

It's hoped the younger generations across South Yorkshire will 'be encouraged' to give sports like taekwondo a go - following their exposure in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Doncaster's Bradley Sinden was on course to compete for a bronze medal for Team GB in Paris - but had to pull out due to a knee injury.

One of his old coaches from Ultimate Taekwondo in Doncaster - Kathy Hook - says it just shows what can be achieved:

"I've been involved in taekwondo since 1982, and I've known Bradley since he was a kid.

"I've watched his development and progression; I was there when he won his first major title - the European Championships - and I've watched him grow into the extremely brilliant player that he is today.

"I think that people will start to take up taekwondo after seeing local man Bradley do well at the Games, and previously in Tokyo getting the silver medal.

"It's great for young people to see an exciting sport like taekwondo, and then for them to want to have a go at it for themselves.

"I think the main thing about the Paris Olympic Games is that it's appealing more to the younger generations.

"The excitement of taekwondo, the climbing coverage, as well as the skateboarding.

"So, hopefully it'll encourage a lot more young people into sport.

"If you're thinking of giving taekwondo a go after seeing it at the Olympic Games, just bite the bullet and do it.

"You won't regret it; it's great fun and great for your fitness.

"It's offers opportunities for those who're really talented at it to take it as far as the Olympic Games too."

Kathy Hook competed herself in taekwondo for Team GB at the Barcelona Olympic Games back in 1992.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.