Year 10 student Leonie Mann is a national champion in the martial art of Taekwondo.

Leonie, who is a member of Wolsingham and Bishop Auckland Taekwondo Club, won a gold medal in one step sparring – traditional martial arts moves – at a national competition in Sheffield in June. Seven members of the club took part in the event and came away with four gold, five silver and three bronze medals.

“I was really pleased to win a gold medal,” said Leonie, 15, who was aged 14 at the time of the event.

Instructor Katey Wallace, fifth Dan, said: “For such a small team they definitely made an excellent impression and put our area on the map. It’s nice to see all their hard work and dedication pay off because every last one of them puts the time and effort into their Taekwondo training.”

Leonie took up the Taekwondo four years ago, as a way of keeping fit. She trains with the club on Mondays in the Sports Hall at Bishop Barrington School and twice a week in Wolsingham.

“I train a total of five hours a week,” said Leonie, who is one grade away from a black belt. Her ambition is to become a marine biologist. She would also like to teach Taekwondo.