A HEREFORD student has been selected to represent England at the Taekwondo European Championships in Belarus.

BISHOP of Hereford's Bluecoat School pupil James Moran is in Minsk this week with the ITF England national squad.

The 14-year-old, who lives in Withington, started taekwondo when he was just four years old.

He trains with The Spirit Warrior Academy in Fownhope run by Steven Fedor and achieved his 1st degree Black belt in 2012.

James won a Silver medal at the UKTA English open Championships (under 57kg sparring) in March 2014 and trains with the ITF England national squad in Oxford.

He also won a bronze medal in the British championships and has been awarded his school half-colours at Bishop's for representing England at the European Championships.

The European champions began on Monday and continue until April 14.

Meanwhile, Bromyard teenager Jay Legge has just gained her black belt in the sport.

Jay, who is a member of the town's White Phoenix Taekwondo Club, who practise at the Queen Elizabeth Humanities College, started the sport at the age of eight.

"Jay has done very well and it's an outstanding achievement," said instructor Nicky Rawle.

"She is quite shy so it's a real personal milestone.

"She is the first person that I have trained who has reached black belt standard so she is my protege and I'm very proud of her.

"This is her first-degree black belt so she can move on to her second degree in two years. Her learning curve is really just beginning."

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