KEIGHLEY star Leah Moorby struck gold in the Yorkshire Open Taekwondo Championship in Bradford.

The 16-year old junior competed in the senior -62kg category in order to give herself a tougher test against older opposition and came away winner on the back of a string of impressive performances.

The Oakbank student came firing out of the blocks with a 12-0 thrashing of Welsh international Ruth May with a three-point head shot within the opening exchanges, setting the tone for the bout.

A further headshot gave Leah a 6-0 lead at the end of the first round, with the British number one finishing the bout with a spectacular double head shot.

The semi-final with England international Megan Featherstone was a more even contest, with Leah trailing her opponent 3-2 at the end of the first round. However, a lightning quick head shot in the opening second of the second round by Moorby gave her the lead and, despite Featherstone closing the gap, Leah emerged with a 14-9 victory.

The final saw Leah face Scotland’s Caroline Morton who, like Ruth May in the first round, found herself against an in-form Moorby.

Leah blew Morton away in the first round to take a 12-1 lead on the back of a three-point double and single head shot.

Despite the Scot threatening a comeback and bringing the score to 13-6 at one point, the British number one cranked up the pressure to wrap up the gold with a 20-7 win.

Leah’s father Gary Moorby said: "Leah's coach Kathy Hook wants her to compete in the senior category when fighting domestically to test herself against older girls.

“This is in preparation for joining the senior ranks next year and as part of her preparations for the world championships later this year in Canada if selected and she certainly looked at ease in this championship."