The whole world has been rooting for their country at the Rio Olympics this year but that was not the only sport competition taking place! On 24th September the GB Taekwondo Nationals were held in London at the former Olympic park.

 

One of the national champions was Leana Greenstein (age 15) who won a gold medal in the Junior 55kg-52kg weight category. Winning first place in a national competition is a spectacular achievement especially since she has been doing taekwondo for only a year, Leana says that she ‘put a lot of work’ into herself and wants to inspire others to do the same, she also said that ‘Hard work, focus and a stubborn attitude can get you anything.’.

 

Of course her success did not come easily and she did a lot to prepare for the competition. Other than training 4-5 times a week with her taekwondo team (Predator Taekwondo and Kick Sister Taekwondo) to practice cardio, combat and technique she also went to the gym most days to lose excess weight and improve overall fitness. On top of this she began to monitor her diet 2 months prior to the competition and said she was relieved for all her training to have ‘paid off’.

 

 

This was not her first time competing but said ‘It was a lot more exciting to be in the copper box Olympic arena’. When asked about a career in taekwondo she replied ‘A future (in taekwondo) would be amazing and it would be my dream to compete for my country.’ So it may not be her last time competing in an Olympic stadium!

 

By Jasmine Helm-Stovell Rosebery School