Almost 25 years since he introduced the sport to the region, 7th Dan Black Belt Mike McKenzie was back to take the first training session of the year at Quest Taekwondo’s new venue of Sir Titus Salt School.

McKenzie said: “Someone asked why I’d travel 40 miles for a class. The answer is elite
athletes training with development athletes, seniors and children, who are all
improving together.

“This is what Quest Taekwondo is all about and it’s exciting to be back teaching
regularly in Baildon again.”

Over the years, McKenzie has enjoyed many successes, most notably as technical operations manager and then sport manager at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. 

Last year, McKenzie was named as South Yorkshire sports coach of the year and shortlisted as UK coach of the year. He is also development officer at British Taekwondo.

The success is not limited to McKenzie, Quest athlete and 17-year-old Sir Titus Salt School student Jacob Barnett represented Great Britain in Portugal in the European Junior Taekwondo Championships last September. 

He and his team-mate Harriet Akeroyd (Settle) were also awarded places on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). 

They are two of just 400 UK student athletes to win a place on this unique government-backed partnership between outstanding young athletes, educational institutes and national governing bodies of sport.

Besides being the founder of Quest Taekwondo and lead instructor, Mike is responsible for the Olympic legacy of more people participating in the sport, and is also a member of the National Black Belt Grading Panel, part of a four-man elite technical team of taekwondo masters that are responsible for promoting people to black belt and above.

Quest athletes will be competing in national and international competitions throughout 2014, and several students will be striving to make back belt this year. 

Quest Taekwondo are holding classes at Sir Titus Salt School on Tuesdays and Thursdays (7pm-8.30pm), and all ages and abilities are welcome. New members should contact Mike on 07938-949923.

If you would like further information about Quest Taekwondo, visit the website at www.questtaekwondo.org. They also have a Facebook Page or can be followed on Twitter at Quest Taekwondo @QuestTaekwondo.