TEACHER Rachel Fry has been named the Page Family Tae Kwon Do Student Of The Year for 2013.

The award rounds off a memorable year for the mother-of-two who gained her black belt studying under Master Will Lim last October.

She also gained second place at the GTI British championships in the patterns division.

Fry began her martial arts career after the birth of her first child when she took a punch-bag fitness class at Central Dojo.

She decided on Tae Kwon Do at the suggestion of chief instructor Brennen Page who spotted her potential.

"Believing I could do it was the biggest thing," said Fry, who teaches at Monmouth Comprehensive School.

"When we started, I never thought I would keep going let alone grade or enjoy it as much as I do.

"I just wish I could devote more time to it. I underestimated the mental challenge.

"As a woman, I think the pressures on you are less, you have less to prove in traditionally male dominated area, there is no pressure to be "hard", no intimidation....... if you think martial arts are for people who like to fight that is so not the case." - says Rachel

Rachel now trains alongside her two sons, Oliver, who is seven, and Nate, nine.

"She sets a great example to them and the rest of the club," said Brennen Page.

For details on Page Family Tae Kwon Do, whose classes are held at Hereford Cathedral School sports hall on Mondays and Wednesday at 6pm, visit www.pftkd.com or call 07742356818.