YVIE-LING Hegarty, who has gone from taekwondo beginner to a world champion in just three years, has been named Young Sportswoman of the Year in the Bradford Sporting Awards at Life Centre Events on Thursday evening.

The Beanland Taekwondo School member travelled to the ITFU World Championships in Argentina last October and won gold in sparring and silver in patterns, matching her efforts in the European Championships in Poland that April.

The Young Sportsman of the Year was Wrose-based Low Ash Primary School pupil Zac Toothill.

He has won multiple kickboxing and ju-jitsu crowns at English, British, European and World level in addition to being a British and German champion at sambo, a form of wrestling.

As if all this was not enough, the seven-year-old is also a Bradford District cross-country champion and has been scouted by Preston North End, although his football tends to take a back seat these days.

Yvie-Ling, 13, and a pupil at Beckfoot Oakbank School, explained how she started in taekwondo: “Two of my friends joined so I decided to go down and I went back as the club was so welcoming and it gave me confidence.

“I had flown to Poland, Italy and Holland (Rotterdam) before, but Argentina was my first flight outside of Europe.

“Going there to compete was really nerve-wracking, and I wanted it to be an experience, but winning it was more amazing.

“I didn’t think that I would progress so quickly, but without my sponsors and everyone else who has supported me I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“Now I just want to keep training – if I train more I will improve – and get ready for the European Championships in Madrid in October.”

Bradford Olympian Trampoline Club member Emily Hebden was the Young Disability Sportsperson of the Year, winning silvers in national qualification events in her first year in the sport.

That meant that she could take part in the British Championships last October in Birmingham, where, in front of a large audience, she won bronze, narrowly missing out on the gold.

Emily’s 2022 finished with her being crowned ladies’ champion at the Yorkshire Championships for the third time.

The 15-year-old said: “I started trampolining because my sister Leah, who is 17, went down to the club, and I took to it staightaway.

“It gave me confidence, and my favourite move is the back flip.”

Rais Hussain won the equivalent boys’ award, and has progressed from a playing member at Manningham Football Academy in 2010 to now being a voluntary coach there and a valued member of staff.

The 18-year-old said: “I just enjoy it, I enjoy playing with the kids and the coaches look after you.

“I play five-a-side but work hard as a coach.”