CULLINGWORTH’S Ellie Bowden and Silsden’s Charlotte Banks and Jamie Simpson-Kidd have helped Horizon Taekwondo Academy to finish an impressive ninth out of 69 teams at the British National Taekwondo Championships at Manchester Velodrome.

Horizon, who were top West Yorkshire club, won three golds, five silvers and four bronzes, with Ellie taking gold in the cadet advanced, Charlotte silver in the junior novice and Jamie bronze in the cadet advance.

It was a deserved breakthrough for Ellie, who had finished third, third and second, losing in the last two nationals to Jeamy Navarro (BTS Southampton).

However, Ellie got the better of her 6-1 in the semi-finals before defeating Scotland’s Lauren McKinley 8-1.

Delighted coach Rick Simpson said: “This could be a turning point for Ellie, who has been training with us since 2005.”

Cullingworth’s Hannah Priestley was a quarter-finalist in the cadet advanced.

Simpson added: “To finish so high up as a team is phenomenal, especially considering that 12 of our 17 players were making their debut at such a big event.”

Over 700 individuals entered, and Horizon were the top West Yorkshire club, ahead of Black Widow (Wakefield), Premier (Huddersfield), All Stars (Leeds) and Team (Halifax).