Ben Hargreaves

I started Tae Kwon Do age 13 and I have been doing Tae Kwon Do for over 12 years. I first started this Martial art because of all the films i had seen growing up. I wanted to be just like my heroes, such as Bruce Lee and Jean Claude Van Damme. I quickly realized that there was much more to the defensive art than fighting. Since then I have progressed to become 4th degree Black Belt. Through my Tae Kwon Do career I have won over 40 medals and trophies in both Sparring and Patterns. I have fought in many competitions including the WASCO World championships in which I won a silver medal and the Tae Kwon Do international World Championships. I won my first tournament in 2009 at the Welsh Closed competition.

A huge part of my success is due to my Instructor and friend World Master and 8 times World Champion David Sheppard. Through his guidance, hard work and perseverance I have gained more than just trophies, he has influenced my personal life as well as my mind set. Dave Sheppard is a fantastic mentor who combines passion for the art and humour to produce Tae Kwon Do champions.

Tae Kwon Do is a huge part of my life. It has improved my fitness and flexibility to a level I never thought possible. Tae Kwon Do has also given me drive and focus that expands through all aspects of my life.