Grandmother gains 8th Dan black belt in Taekwondo

Taekwondo champion Annabel Murcott, 52, hopes her journey can inspire more women

A 52-year-old grandmother has become the first British woman to gain the 8th Dan black belt in Taekwondo.

A world master, Annabel Murcott, who has training schools across the Peterborough area, has been competing in martial arts since she was 11 years old.

On Saturday, at the British Championships in London, she became the youngest among the Taekwondo Association of Great Britain (TAGB) to be promoted as a grand master.

Now, Mrs Murcott hopes to inspire more women to take up the Korean martial art.

"I am happy with my achievement as the first female among the TAGB. It's been years of commitment to the sport," she said.

"I had to wait eight years for this particular belt. In simple terms, it means I have eight black belts."

Originally from Stamford, Lincolnshire, Mrs Murcott got her first black belt at the age of 15.

She was inspired by her friend's brother to take up Taekwondo and "there was no looking back", she said.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Mrs Murcott has won several medals including at world championships, has refereed at competitions and has been a teacher for the last three decades.

Alongside husband Dale Pollard, she runs 10 branches of Annabel Murcott Schools of Taekwondo across Peterborough and Lincolnshire.

Mrs Murcott believes more needs to be done to include self-defence classes as part of the secondary school curriculum.

She also wants to inspire more women to take part.

"I hope I can continue to highlight that women are equally good at this sport," she said.

"I think every young person, especially women, should learn martial arts as a life skill. It's also a great way to bring discipline and fitness into your life.

"It's great for mental health and staying active."

Mrs Murcott said her family loved the martial art too

Mr Pollard, who is a 5th Dan black belt himself, said the wider family was "proud" of his wife's achievement.

"Both our sons are black belt holders and are in the Army. Our daughter trained too. My grandchildren have also taken up Taekwondo, so the whole family is invested in it," he said.

"We are proud of Annabel and her commitment to the sport."