Lorna Wright, World Champion Tae Kwon-Do Practioner
Lorna Wright, World Champion Tae Kwon-Do Practioner
Lorna Wright, World Champion Tae Kwon-Do Practioner
When Lorna Wright first went to a tae kwon-do class, she was a 37-year-old mum of three, worried that her 10-year-old son was being picked on at school, and keen to give him some moral support. Lorna wanted to help David, a shy boy small for his age, find the confidence to stick up for himself. Leading by example, she joined a beginners’ class with him and it changed their lives.
“If you saw David now you wouldn’t believe he was that shy little boy – he’s a Royal Marine currently in Afghanistan and a black belt at tae kwon-do. This sport has given him the confidence to pursue the life he always wanted.”
And Lorna’s life has been transformed too – from beginner to world champion in just eight years. A passionate coach and competitor, she puts the children of Kingswear through their paces at a class in the village hall each week – when she’s not competing all over the world.
Imagine the children’s faces when she turned up to class with six medals – five golds and a silver from the World International Tae Kwon-Do Federation Championships in Belarus, where Lorna was competing for England!
It was a phenomenal result for Lorna, who trained and competed all over the UK for months before being selected for the England Veteran Ladies Team. Lorna was the overall team champion and picked up medals in individual and team events. There were 44 countries taking part and with the huge crowd all cheering her name, it was something she will never forget.
“I had the most amazing time and it will stay with me forever. Tae kwon-do has given me so many opportunities to travel, to meet people and to be part of an amazing world, but it is all consuming – it has taken over my life!” she laughed.
“David still practises tae kwon-do and when he rings from Afghanistan it’s the first thing he asks about. How is the tae kwon-do, what have I been doing with it. As a mum I’m grateful. We have something to talk about that is separate from his situation, and we don’t have to talk about the terrible dangers of his job.
“My other children, Kelly and Christopher, compete now too, and they help me with my classes. Kelly is in the England junior squad and she’s better than I am! We travel to Oxford twice a month to train with England. It’s something we share. ”
Lorna lives at Raddicombe with husband James, well known in Kingswear as a professional decorator. The couple are supporters of the Help For Heroes charity and organise regular events to raise money, the next being an auction of promises at the end of October. Jimmy, as he’s known, recently took a gold and bronze respectively in the Veteran’s Power and Sparring categories at the UK Championships, whilst son Christopher came home with a bronze in the Patterns U13 category.Originally from the South East, they moved to Devon in 2001. Lorna works as a full time payroll administrator for accountants Bishop Fleming, who, thankfully, are understanding about her passion for tae kwon-do.
“I’ve had loads of support - from them, from my instructor Steve Millis, from the village of Kingswear, from my Mum and from my husband. Everyone is so encouraging,” Lorna said.
“Tae kwon-do is for everyone. I’ve always been sporty and have played hockey for Paignton Ladies, I row every week, I’ve played softball, tennis, squash, gymnastics, but you don’t have to be fit to start tae kwon-do. Our motto is Tae Kwon-Do For All – and it’s true, anybody can do it!”
Lorna delights in the children she trains for South Devon Tae Kwon-Do. “They start as young as five and some of them are so tiny when they first come along. They learn that tae kwon-do means feet, hands, art, and they quickly gain skills, working on their individual performance but alongside others. The children quickly grow in confidence and all of them will eagerly give demonstrations of what they have learned to the rest of the group. It is so beneficial, and I want to make it available to more and more people.”
Lorna is keen to start adult classes in Kingswear and is investigating the possibility of tae kwon-do based exercise for toddlers, or “tae-robics” as a fitness class – and she’s already done the course!
“Tae kwon-do is amazing because you are really only in competition with yourself, but it benefits you in so many ways, and you are supported and encouraged by others. It is an excellent way to learn self defence while building confidence, physical fitness and technique, progressing through different levels.
“There are different styles of tae kwon-do and ours comes from the Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha, who was sent from Korea in 1967 to develop tae kwon-do in the UK. At the age of 72 he is still the Grand Master, and I saw him when he came to Devon – he was inspirational.”
Tae kwon-do is truly a martial art – fighting but with grace and focus. The three categories illustrate this – Patterns; where competitors complete a series of movements in a set way, particularly mesmerising in team events when everyone is synchronised. Sparring; which is fighting with hand protection using feet and hands. Power; breaking blocks to show aim, concentration, accuracy and focus as well as strength. For children there are split blocks or soft pads to jump and kick.
“I think I’ve shown that tae kwon-do is great fun, rewarding, and something that everyone can do,” said Lorna. “I only started at 37 and I compete for England at the age of 45 – if I can do that then anything is possible!”
To find out more about tae kwon-do email lornatkd@btinternet.com or ring her on 07746 633797.
First Published October 2010 By The Dart