8 Aug 2023

Zak Angell is in heaven after becoming the latest addition to GB Taekwondo’s World Class Performance Programme based in Manchester.

What the Rotherham teenager lacks in senior experience, he makes up for in confidence.

The 16-year-old, fresh from completing his GCSEs, was previously part of GB Taekwondo’s Development Programme and fought at the Junior World Championships in Bulgaria last summer.

“It feels like all my hard work has finally paid off,” said Angell, looking one-day to emulate the exploits of fellow Yorkshireman, Olympic medallist and twice World Champion, Bradly Sinden.

“It feels amazing. I am going to be receiving everything I need to one-day hopefully be challenging to become a World and Olympic champion.”

Despite his young age Zak has spent 10 years in taekwondo. “The son of a friend of my dad did taekwondo,” he explained.

“I was always hyper as a kid. Initially I went to see if I could release some energy. Ever since then I felt it is something I could do.”

That belief grew after he won the Polish and French Opens in 2021. “They gave me confidence to keep pushing more,” agreed the promising prospect who also credits the National Taekwondo Club (NTC) in Rotherham for his progress in the sport.

Fighting at -68kg, Zak’s first competition since his promotion to the WCPP will be the Junior European Championships in Tallinn, Estonia from August 24-26.

“I am going there to win; there’s no other colour,” he said confidently and decisively.

GB Taekwondo Performance Director Gary Hall: “I would like to congratulate Zak and welcome him to the World Class Performance Programme.

“This promotion is a result of the promise he has shown, the hard work he has put in and the commitment he has made.”

Zak follows in the footsteps of six other athletes who made the same step up earlier this year.

They are: Owen Blunt (Doncaster) Ultimate Taekwondo; Phoenix Goodman  (Southampton) LMC Taekwondo; Dantrell Knight-Mitchell (Leeds) British Military Martial Arts/Black Widow Taekwondo; Jamie McIntosh (Huddersfield) Premier; Neve McPhillie (Glasgow) Elite Martial Arts Academy and Teigan Smith (Carronshore, Falkirk) Central Taekwondo Academy.

For further information contact Trevor Baxter (Red and White Media)-07768 846389 or trevor@redandwhitesport.co.uk

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