Holborn Tigers with medals at the British Taekwondo Autumn Open Championships

THERE were simply “too many triumphs to count” as a team of Tigers returned from the British Taekwondo Autumn Open Championships boasting a myriad of medals.

Master Rienzi Trento admitted that he was “overwhelmed” after seeing his talented squad of 14 martial artists from across Camden, Islington and Westminster all grab gongs at the annual showpiece, which was held at the George H. Carnall Sports Centre in Manchester over the weekend.

Even the 6th-dan black belt got in on the honours action as he was presented with the Best Coach Award by grandmasters Mark Richardson and Ewan Briscoe.

Lilli Babak

“It really hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Master Rienzi, who lives in Somers Town. “Every single member of our Holborn Tigers squad came home with a medal. There were so many triumphs that I haven’t even counted up all the medals yet. It’s all a bit overwhelming.

“It was such a fantastic experience. In between competitions all the young people were playing together – they ate their meals together, trained and warmed up together. We’re all like one big family.”

Among the big success stories was para-athlete and white belt Elias Khan, 8, who marked his first-ever competitive display by winning gold in the patterns, otherwise known as poomsae.

Now a seasoned competitor, Lilli Babak was back among the medals as she struck gold in the sparring, otherwise known as kyorugi.

Stephen Muneyuki (left) and Elias Khan

The highly-talented 10-year-old, who lives in Soho and attends Soho Parish School, displayed fortitude beyond her years – the red belt coming from 11-3 behind in the final to beat a black belt 21-16 and top the winners’ podium.

“It was always my plan to change my speed after she got tired, and I turned the fight in my favour,” revealed Lilli. “You must know your energy level to not waste more than you need in the fight.

“It was a very intense final and beating a black belt makes me extra proud. On top it was a nice revenge because this was the girl I lost to in the final last year, when I was still a blue belt and she was already a black belt then.”

Maximilian Babak

Lilli’s younger brother, Maximilian, 7, also experienced a tournament to remember. The yellow belt brought back bronze medals in the sparring and the patterns.

Other siblings celebrating were yellow belts Amelia Das, 8, who won gold in the sparring and silver in the patterns, and her younger brother Dillon, 5, who scooped a silver in each discipline.

Amelia was also presented with a special trophy for her efforts in the poomsae.

Master Rienzi Trento receives the trophy for ‘Best Coach’ from grandmasters Mark Richardson (left) and Ewan Briscoe at the tournament in Manchester

The family successes continued with yellow belt Britney Gunarathna, 5, winning gold in the sparring, while her dad Chandana – a veteran at 41 – also won gold for his fighting in one of the contests of the weekend. The yellow belt was tied at 25-25 with his opponent after two two-minute rounds, with both martial artists then scoring an additional six points in 30 seconds of extra-time. Chandana then landed victory courtesy of a lightning golden kick in sudden-death.

Red belt Stephen Muneyuki collected a silver medal for his patterns and a bronze in the sparring, while green belt Zayd Aniba won gold after his opponent was disqualified “for performing an illegal move”.