TWO Gassor’s Taekwon-Do Wales students are celebrating after world championship success in Brighton.

Sam Chand, 13, and Tom Sharwood, 14, who are based at the Martial Arts & Fitness Centre in Maindee, won gold and bronze respectively on the south coast.

Sam took top honours in the under-14s sparring category while his clubmate finished third in the under-16s sparring.

The duo were competing at the week-long International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) World Championships which featured entrants from more than 40 countries.

Sam and Tom were both ranked for the event as they went into it as the top two students in the country in their categories.

Both are members of Team UK and also fly the flag for Wales and Gassor’s Tournament Team.

Gassor’s chief instructor and international ITF instructor, senior master Gary Gassor (eighth degree black belt), travelled to East Sussex with his young charges.

Senior coach and international ITF instructor Leanne Gassor-Jones (fifth degree black belt) and ITF instructor Aaron Gassor (third degree black belt) also made the trip.

“The tournament was amazing, with the highest standard of competitors from 45 different countries,” said Leanne. “Our club are ecstatic at Sam and Tom’s superb results and we are all immensely proud of them.

“Both students have worked extremely hard with their training and preparations for the World Championships and it’s fantastic for them to achieve the results they deserve.”

Leanne would also like to thank everyone that helped raise more than £3,000 to cover the teenager’s expenses for the competition.

Anyone interested in trying a class at Gassor’s Taekwon-Do Wales’ head office in Maindee, or at one of its satellite clubs in Caldicot, Cwmcarn, Risca, Rogerstone, Undy and Usk, can call 01633 222260 or visit mafcmartialarts.com