Cumbernauld teenager Lucy lands world Tae Kwon-Do title

The 14-year-old was the winner in the Junior Girls Black Light Heavy 11-14 category at the Championships which were held at the Birmingham Arena.

And her success completed a hat-trick of triumphs for the youngster, who lives in Corbiston Way, Kildrum.

She took her first world when she was just nine years old and added a second to her collection when she was 12.

The Cumbernauld Academy pupil quickly followed up her victory in Birmingham with another success at the Austrian Kickboxing Classics tournament, returning to Scotland with another gold and a belt as rewards for her hard work.

She has been doing martial arts since she was only six years old and attends the Uddingston Tae Kwon-Do club two nights a week.

She also takes part in Scotland squad sessions on a Saturday morning and with Edinburgh Wolfpack Martial Arts three nights a week.

Lucy has travelled all over the UK to compete and recently taken part in tournaments in Poland, Spain, Ireland and Austria.

But, as mum Caroline Walsh explained, that brings increased cost demands.

She said: “Obviously competing at this level has become very expensive to push her ability. In time we would be looking to get a sponsor on board for her which would be beneficial to both parties.

“Lucy has now got to a level where she has to look outside Scotland for new competitor’s and new challenges.

“With all this going on Lucy still remains a sweet and very grounded normal 14 year old. She is a Cumbernauld Academy pupil and will be starting third year studies but I have no doubt she will continue her training without it affecting her studies.

“It would be lovely to see her getting the recognition that she deserves for all her hard work and determination.

“I really don’t think that there is another 14 year old that works as hard as she does and has achieved what she has in her sport.”