The Holborn Tigers squad at the British Taekwondo Autumn Open Championships in Manchester

A TRIUMPHANT team of martial artists proved a big hit at the British Taekwondo Autumn Open Championships over the weekend as they enjoyed a mighty medal surge in Manchester.

The squad of 10 Holborn Tigers roared to glory as they captured a combined total of 14 gongs at the prestigious showpiece – four more medals than they brought home from the same competition last year.

Among those celebrating on the mats yet again was Lilli Babak, who won a gold medal in the poomsae – otherwise known as patterns – in which a competitor is judged on their ability to perform a set sequence of movements that consist of various fundamental stances, blocks, punches and kicks.

The talented blue belt, who lives in Soho and attends Soho Parish School, also competed in the Kyorugi – a free-form of fighting – at 31kg, where she landed herself a silver medal.

The nine-year-old completed her medal set by bagging a bronze in the “champion of champions” competition, which saw gold medal winners from each age category with blue belts doing battle in the poomsae one final time.

“I came home with three medals, one of each colour,” said a delighted Lilli, who was cheered on by her younger brother Maximilian, aged six.

Master Rienzi Trento with son Stephen Muneyuki

“I am very proud of my gold medal for my patterns. When facing the ‘champion of champions’ everybody was so much older than me. For example there was one grown-up man competing, so I am very happy to have received the bronze medal against them.”

Reflecting on competing against more experienced opponents, Lilli, who won gold for her fighting last year and silver in the patterns, added: “Before my fight I was a bit nervous when I saw my opponent was a black belt, because I am a blue belt, but I felt ready for taking on the fight and managed to get the silver medal.

“The good thing about fighting higher grades, I realised, is that they have very controlled kicks, so I don’t get hurt. I felt very good during the fight and was leading after the first round, so I’m very proud.”

Another big winner was Holborn’s Zayd Aniba, who marked his competitive debut by striking gold in his 38kg fighting competition.

What made the win even more impressive was that Zayd dislocated his shoulder the night before while practising.

Comparing the victory to the 1976 Oscar-winning boxing film starring Sylvester Stallone, Master Rienzi Trento, a 6th-dan black belt who teaches the kids, said the eight-year-old yellow belt “earned his Rocky moment”.

He added: “As soon as he realised that he had won, he turned to his mum and raised his arms in the air to celebrate. He was smiling from ear to ear. He did so well.”

Lilli Babak won a gold medal in the poomsae

Other debutants to bring back medals were Chirantan Chakraborty, 12, and Ella Moufarrej, nine. Yellow belt Chirantan, who lives in Somers Town and was competing at 79kg, scooped a silver medal for his fighting, and a bronze for his patterns. He was also presented with a special medal “for showing great heart and courage” after taking on a bout against a seasoned fighter in a bid to gain as much experience as possible.

Meanwhile, yellow belt Ella, who lives in Holborn, collected a bronze medal after her fighting challenge – which she fought at 27kg – was cut short due to an ankle injury.

A number of the Holborn Tigers managed to build upon the success they enjoyed last year.

Blue belt Ming Shen Aw was adjudged to have taken part in the fight of the tournament after he retained his title with “a golden kick”.

Sparring at 49kg, the 13-year-old from Somers Town scored the all-important first point in sudden death after his gold medal bout had ended all-square.

Master Rienzi’s son, Stephen Muneyuki, also managed to retain the gold medal he achieved in fighting last year as he powered his way to glory at 56kg. But the 15-year-old blue belt, who lives in Somers Town, just missed out on repeating his double gold from 2021 – this time scooping a silver medal in the patterns.

Meanwhile, Somers Town siblings Zeshan Mumin, 13, and Ayoub, 10, both added to their medal count. The yellow belts, who were competing at 38kg and 35kg respectively, both picked up silver medals in their fighting disciplines, while Ayoub also collected a bronze in the patterns.

Master Rienzi teaches his “foundation team” at the Holborn House Community Centre and also runs after-school classes at Christopher Hatton School in Clerkenwell.

Praising all of the Tigers’ efforts, he said: “I’m really impressed with all of our kids, they performed above and beyond my wildest expectations.

“The smiles on their faces were so genuine, you could see how proud they all were. Our goal was really just about gaining experience, even for those who medalled last year, so to have won 14 medals is incredible.

“The success really showcases the wealth of talent that is emerging across Camden, Westminster and Islington.”