A Darlington taekwondo club is celebrating an exceptional result after seven competitors returned from an international championship with 11 medals.
East Meets West Taekwondo Academy says its team won six gold medals, one silver and four bronzes at the WUMF World Championships on 10 and 11 October 2026. The club also reports finishing ninth in the taekwondo team standings.
Two days of competition
Five academy members competed in Poomsae, the patterns discipline, on the opening day. They collected two golds, one silver and two bronzes. On the second day, six members competed in sparring, securing another four golds and two bronze medals.
The academy, led by Master Park, has been teaching in Darlington since 2012 and recently opened a dedicated centre on Victoria Road. Its group competed against athletes from more than 30 countries, according to the academy's announcement.
Master Park said in a statement supplied to The Tees that every competitor had shown determination and commitment, adding that a ninth-place team finish was especially meaningful for a small club.
The medals also reflect the work of families, supporters and instructors who helped the athletes prepare. The academy offers classes for children, teenagers and adults, with beginner sessions alongside competition training.
The results were shared publicly by the academy on 12 October and are a reminder that international sporting achievement can begin in relatively small community clubs.