A WHARFEDALE teenager has won her first competitive medal as a black belt in Taekwondo.

Thirteen year old Ilkley Grammar School pupil Lily Boswell earned her belt with the Wharfedale School of Tae Kwon-do - which has clubs in Burley-in-Wharfedale and Otley - earlier this year.

On Saturday, July 28 she competed in the BUTL (British University Taekwondo League) Open Championships at Loughborough University - and came away with a Bronze Medal in sparring.

The Wharfedale School's founder, Emelia May, said: "This is Lily's first medal competing as a black belt and was well deserved, as the girls in her division were good, strong fighters.

"Not many students will put themselves into the competing arena, for different reasons - but for most it is scary.

"The adrenaline experienced is unique to the conditions of competitions.

"Lily began her training with the Wharfedale School of Tae Kwon-do when she was nine and has gone from strength to strength since.

"She’s good at both patterns and sparring and has won many medals as a colour belt for both categories.

"Having only just attained black belt Lily choose to enter for sparring at this competition, unfazed by the increase in skill level."