LIAM C Grange, a student and an assistant instructor at Dragon Taekwondo Academy Halwill Junction, has become a master 5th Dan black belt in WTF Taekwondo at the age of just 26.

The Dan grading which was held under Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Federation) rules took place at the main training centre of the Commonwealth Martial Arts Association in Southampton just after Christmas.

Liam had to display all of the physical elements of Taekwondo which included Olympic style full-contact sparring, with up to three other black belts at the same time, self defence, defence against multiple attacks, perform a four directional break while airborne and write a 5,000 word theses.

Liam's journey in the martial arts began aged five by becoming his father's youngest student. Liam, along with his older brother has lived and worked in Korea, the home of WTF Taekwondo, teaching English and very unusually, teaching Taekwondo to the Koreans.

Liam is a six times undefeated British champion and international gold medal winner, with a competition career starting at six years of age and continuing until he retired from all competition in 2005. He also holds a black sash in kung fu, has studied Silat in Malaysia and Thai kickboxing in northern Thailand, Taekwondo and Hapkido in Korea.

Liam intends opening his own clubs in the Devon area this year (2010) However, if you would like to try WTF (Olympic) Taekwondo and Hosin-Hapkido and train alongside Liam at his teacher's club in Halwill Junction, then contact Dragon Taekwondo Academy on; 01409 221458.