9th April 2018

SCOTTISH teenager Jordyn Smith has become Britain’s latest World Junior champion after a stunning performance in Tunisia.

Jordyn won five fights, including a 22-12 final success over her Thai opponent, to strike gold in the -44kg weight division.

In doing so the exciting prospect from Carronshore emulated the achievements of Lauren Williams who won a World Junior title in 2014 and then regained it two years later.

Victory also came just four days after Jordyn celebrated her 17^th birthday.

“It still hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Jordyn who trains three-days a week at the GB Taekwondo Academy in Manchester. “I can’t believe I can say that I am junior world champion.

“After five tough fights I managed to push myself through to get on top of that podium.

“Thank you so much for all my friends, teammates and family either in Tunisia or at home for all your support.

“A huge thank you to Mike Harvey for coaching me,” added Smith, a product of the Central Taekwondo Academy.”

Jordyn’s success is all the more impressive as she is studying ahead of her Higher exams in nutrition, biology, physical education and English.

World Junior Championships squad:

Male:

-51kg: Caden Cunningham (Huddersfield)

-55kg: Mason Yarrow (Doncaster)

– 63kg: Owen Turner (Doncaster)

-68kg: Jamie Kidd (Silsden)

– 73kg: Camran Hassan (Huddersfield)

Female:

-42kg: Erin Shaw (Larbert)

– 44kg: Jordyn Smith (Carronshore)

-46kg: Aaliyah Powell (Huddersfield)

-52kg: Holly Kelly (Stockport)

– 55kg: Chloe Roberts (Biddulph)

-59kg: Kyla Julien (Huddersfield)

-63kg: Emily Brighton (Wakefield)

-68kg: Sharissa Gannaway (Southampton)

+68kg: Molly Dunbavin (Wakefield)