Teen wins gold in martial arts championships

Jay Pringle hopes to attend the Taekwondo World Cup in Argentina in November

A 15-year-old is celebrating after winning gold in the European Taekwondo Championships.

Jay Pringle, from Marley Hill in Gateshead, won the Junior Category in the competition in Lublin, Poland, for the under 50kg, 15 to 17 age category.

The competition, which took place from 18 to 21 April, followed a bronze for Jay in the World Championships in Finland in September 2023 in the pre-junior category for competitors aged 12 to 14.

Jay, who has just moved up an age category, said he "really didn't expect to win".

Jay Pringle came back to a special celebration at his home in Gateshead

"Obviously I've been training really hard but I'm just really delighted," he said.

"Up to now, I haven't thought about competing in the Olympics much, but it's definitely something to think about in the future."

Jay trains five to six times each week and most weekends

Mum Catherine Pringle described seeing him win as "very emotional".

"Seeing him stand on the podium and hearing the national anthem, I was speechless," she said.

"It's been a huge commitment and he trains five to six days a week, our weekends are taking up with national training - but it's all been worth it," she added.

Jay has been doing Taekwondo since he was five years old

The next step would be for Jay to go to the World Cup in Argentina in November this year but Ms Pringle said it would be "a challenge financially". Her hope now is that Jay can find a sponsor.

"Jay has got so much potential," she added.