MARTIAL arts success is proving to be a family affair for one Dunfermline youngster after both she and her dad struck gold.

Five-year-old Lily Finch kicked her way to the top with first-class performances in two disciplines at the UKTC (United Kingdom Taekwondo Council) Scottish Championships on Sunday.

The Pitreavie Primary School pupil, who trains at the UKTC Taekwondo & Little Tiger Cubs club in Dunfermline under instructor Derek Webb, claimed gold medals in the sparring and special technique competitions.

But, as part of a family double, dad Peter, 35, also bagged a double medal haul with a gold in sparring, and a silver in patterns.

And, to cap a superb competition for the club, there was another family celebrating podium places as Alisdair McNaughton, together with sons Alex and Max, also collected well-earned medals.

Sparring gold and patterns bronze for Alisdair was followed by gold in sparring for Max, 7, and bronze in the same discipline for elder sibling Alex, 10.

Lily’s gongs came at her first competition since joining the club’s ‘Little Tiger Cubs’ programme at the age of three, and proud mum Pamela described the medals won by both families as “unique”.

“You have what’s called the ‘Champions League’, which has three competitions, and this is the first one,” she explained.

“There were around 500 competing through at Wishaw; it was absolutely packed.

“It was the first competition for Lily and she did really well. The clubs nominate people when they feel they are ready (to compete) but it is an open event.

“She was really nervous in the morning but, by the end of the day, she was absolutely delighted.

“We were expecting her to go along, enjoy it and get a bit of experience, so to come home with two medals – never mind gold – was beyond our expectations!

“Her coach made a point of being there as well, which was really nice. Derek has coached Lily from the word go, from when she was three-years-old, so it was nice for him to see her achieve.”

Lily trains alongside her dad in adult classes at her club, and Pamela continued: “There’s five or six families with kids who are similar ages. It’s nice that it’s something the whole family can share.

“I did judo when I was younger and, when Lily was coming up towards the age of three, she was an energetic child. We were looking for an outlet for her to channel her energy into something productive.

“The Tiger Cubs is based on play; they learn taekwondo and its values but it’s based around play and she was hooked!

“Lily is the smallest and youngest in the class so everybody was really chuffed for her.”

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