Friends Robyn Clifford (left) and Molly McAndrew (right) of Sidmouth, both 13, found themselves in the unenviable position of having to compete directly against each other in the TAGB South West Tae Kwon-Do Championships.

The event was held in Salisbury last weekend and around 470 Tae Kwon-Do students of all ages competed in various divisions.

Both girls competed in the Girls’ Yellow Belt division for patterns and sparring, and showed excellent sportsmanship and winning style, both of them coming away with a medal and trophy each.

In Patterns, Robyn brought home a bronze, while Molly took gold and, in Sparring, Molly took another gold while Robyn won silver.

Instructor Gerry Waugh who trains both girls at Stowford Community Centre, Sidmouth, said: “I am delighted that Robyn and Molly, despite being direct competitors, supported each other and both came away with big smiles and, thankfully, still friends. They both worked hard, as they always do, and deserved their winning positions.”

One of Mr Waugh’s more senior grade students also brought home a Sparring medal. Black belt Dan Forder, 15, who trains at Axe Valley Leisure Centre in Axminster, had never previously entered a tournament, but went straight into the challenging black belt division, winning his first fights comfortably but being narrowly defeated later, still doing well enough to take a bronze, while 12 year old Beckie Pearson also took home a bronze, in the girls’ red belt sparring category.

Anyone interested in taking up tae kwon-do can find a local class at http://www.targettagb.co.uk/html/training.html or call Mr Waugh on 01297 639830.