HORIZON members Gary Watt (Greengates) and Jamie Kidd (Silsden) may have clinched gold but it was Ellie Bowden's bronze medal that drew as much attention in the City of Liverpool Open Championships.

The 14-year-old from Cullingworth, who is a Great Britain junior development athlete, faced the Czech Republic's Natalie Benesova (TKD Lacek) in the quarter-finals of the -49kg junior advanced division, winning 9-4 after three fierce rounds of technical and tactical mastery, some impressive head kicks sealing victory.

But the Parkside pupil's run came to an end in the semi-final against 16-year-old Liverpudlian Abigail Stones, one of Britain’s finest prospects for years.

She is the current junior world champion and a bronze medallist from the 2014 Youth Olympics, and led 2-0 after the first round and 5-2 after the second.

Stones eventually won 8-5 but Ellie's coach Rooji Karim said: “Ellie had a great day today – she was very nervous going into the match against Stones but after the first round, realising she was still in the game, she grew in confidence and walked off the mat with the biggest smile in the building. She didn’t give up and kept going, so well done Ellie!”

Horizon golds at Greenbank Sports Academy in a competition that attracted 300 entrants from the United Kingdom and Europe went to 13-year-olds Watt and Kidd in their -65kg and -53kg cadet advanced categories, while Matthew Brindle, 15 from Bradford, ensured that every Horizon member won a medal with a bronze in the -59kg junior advanced division.

It was Jamie's third gold medal of the year, while Matthew lost in the semi-finals against eventual winner Jack Pickin from Stoke, and Watt led 4-0 after 30 seconds but survived a barrage of attacks from Central Academy (Scotland) athlete Robert Crawford before triumphing 4-3.

Gary’s coach, former Great Britain athlete Rachel Salt, added: “Really happy with Gary’s start to the match – he was confident and moved forward, and we’ve identified things for him to work on between now and his next outing.”

Another medal prospect, 11-year-old Zak Spencer (Baildon), was also due to compete in the -34kg children's advanced group but had to pull out due to illness on the day.

* Horizon Taekwondo Academy are offering free lessons to beginners for a limited period. Further information is available by contacting Rick Simpson on 07977-065357 or info@horizontaekwondo.co.uk.