An “inspirational” 70-year-old grandmother has passed her black belt at taekwondo after being encouraged to take up the martial art by her daughter.

Ute Brewer, of Eccleshill, passed her black belt grading in front of the British Taekwondo Control Board in Nottingham.

The grandmother-of-nine, took up the sport ten years ago, after retiring from her job as a lecturer at Bradford College.

Three years ago she started attending three sessions a week with instructor Glen Warne at Saber Taekwondo at the Windhill Community Centre, Shipley, and the Panache Studios, in Harry Street, Dudley Hill.

She said it had increased her confidence, changed the way she thinks and improved her fitness levels.

She said: “I used to go to Glen before, but then I have gone back and after hard training he thought I was ready for my black belt.

“I have a daughter in Bradford and she helped me to train up because she’s a second Dan in taekwondo.”

Mrs Brewer said the event in Nottingham was nerve-wracking, particularly the task of breaking a piece of wood with a side-kick.

Her instructor, Glen Warne, of Saber Taekwondo, described Mrs Brewer as an inspiration.

He said: “She is a really fantastic lady. I have never taught anybody that age before, this is really unique and inspirational as well.

“There were a few tears shed between us when she got her black belt.”

Mr Warne said his elderly pupil was treated like a celebrity at the grading, with young children wanting to talk to her as they waited for their turn to be tested.

He said: “It shows age is not really relevant – if you’re in moderate health and you’re determined enough, someone even at that age can achieve anything.”

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