TWO members of Swindon’s Phoenix Martial Arts & Fitness came away with gold medals when they represented England at the recent World ITF Taekwondo Championships.

The three-day event held in Scotland was attended by more than 600 competitors from 22 countries.

Day one saw 38-year-old Richard Lane, from Nythe, take to the mats in the veteran heavyweight coloured belt division. He fought off all competition to emerge victorious and win the title.

Later the same day, Lane fought again in the team sparring event to win another medal, this time silver, to round off a successful competition.

Lane’s two daughters also train at the central Swindon club and have been inspired by their father’s performance, hoping to follow in his footsteps.

The second day of the competition saw U18s black belts competing, which included Covingham’s Cody O’Bey.

The competition was extremely tough but 14-year-old O’Bey reached the quarter-finals of the individual sparring before losing to the eventual winner.

It was the team sparring event that saw O’Bey move up through the gears, getting better with every single fight.

The England team progressed through to the final, facing home favourites Scotland in the final.

The team needed O’Bey to win the final fight following a win and loss apiece from his team-mates, with the Swindon teenager’s opponent being the individual gold medallist.

Cheered on by the entire England entourage, O’Bey took the fight to his Scottish counterpart, dominating from the beginning.

By the end of the bout, the decision was in no doubt and O’Bey had his arm lifted in victory for the England team.

Phoenix’s chief instructor, John Newman, was coaching the England team and has been on a long journey with O’Bey to get him to this point, helping him realise his dream of winning a world title.

Newman said “It is beyond my expectations for both competitors to come away with gold medals at this level of competition, but it is just reward for the dedication and commitment they have shown to their training.

“I am so proud to have been a part of their journeys to become world champions.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Phoenix Studio, where they offer training in martial arts, taekwondo, kickboxing, boxing, ladies only and fitness classes, can contact Newman via info@phoenix-ma.co.uk.