Swindon’s Phoenix Martial Arts has returned from the World Championships in Croatia with an outstanding haul of medals, including four new World Champions, including a double World Champion among their ranks. The tournament, held from September 27th to 29th, saw the England National Taekwondo Team, under the Global Taekwondo International (GTI) banner, secure a total of 51 medals, with Phoenix Martial Arts contributing significantly to the team’s success.

The Phoenix team, based in Swindon, sent ten competitors as part of the 25-strong England squad. Led by Chief Instructor John Newman, who also served as the Head National Coach, alongside Assistant Coach and club instructor Kirsty Kavanagh, Phoenix Martial Arts returned with 5 Gold, 8 Silver, and 7 Bronze medals, with four of their competitors becoming World Champions.

Notable Highlights:

– Logan Rutherford (14) became a double World Champion, winning Gold in both individual sparring and the boys’ black belt team event, and added a Silver in patterns.

– Joseph McKinlay (15) won Gold as part of the boys’ black belt team, Silver in sparring, and Bronze in patterns.

– Cody O’Bey (19) continued his championship streak by winning Gold in the men’s team sparring.

– Olivia Mojsak (17) claimed the title of World Champion in the girls’ coloured belt sparring and took home Bronze in patterns.

Other Medalists from Phoenix Martial Arts:

– Jasmine Roux-Nel (14): Silver in girls’ black belt sparring, Bronze in patterns.

– Adam McKinlay (12): Double Bronze in boys’ black belt patterns and sparring.

– Kian Miller-Hogg (11): Double Bronze in boys’ black belt patterns and sparring.

– Richard Lane: Double Silver in veterans’ black belt patterns and sparring.

– Radek Mojsak: Silver in veterans’ coloured belt patterns.

– Jacob Wait (11): Double Silver in boys’ coloured belt patterns and sparring.

Chief Instructor John Newman expressed immense pride in his team’s performance: “Every competitor gave their all and represented Swindon, Phoenix Martial Arts and England with excellence. It’s an incredible achievement to bring home so many medals, and especially to see so many Taekwondo World Champions within our club.”

The England squad took home an impressive 26 Gold medals overall, securing second place at the tournament. The experience was a memorable one for the Swindon Taekwondo club, with John Newman adding: “It was fantastic to see the team compete on the world stage, form lasting friendships with athletes from around the globe, and bring the Phoenix spirit to an international level.”

Phoenix Martial Arts extends a heartfelt thank you to all the supporters, coaches, families, sponsors and fundraisers who made this achievement possible. This success marks another milestone in the Swindon Taekwondo club’s ongoing journey of excellence in martial arts.