A teenage taekwondo sensation is proving to be a talented role model for members of an Oldham martial arts club after winning silver in a prestigious international competition.
Ikrah Hussain, who is just 13-years-old, picked up the accolade after representing Britain in the taekwondo championships in Bulgaria last week.
The youngster fell in love with the sport at the age of six, when she joined the Horizon LGA club on Huddersfield Road.
From there, she honed her skills under the tutorship of coach Urooj Karim and quickly picked up a series of impressive grades.
Ikrah now holds her second dan black belt, which is a step up from the high-ranking black belt.
Zeenat Masqood, 33, the welfare officer at Horizon LGA, expressed pride following Ikrah’s achievements. She said: “Ikrah started when she was just six years old. She’s been a fighter ever since.
The teenager’s journey to international acclaim began this year, having now competed in four international championships with impressive determination. She has also secured a coveted spot to train with Team GB in Manchester.
Zeenat added: “Ikrah is a role model for everyone in the club. I’m really proud, she has done amazingly.”
She was among the supporters live streaming Ikrah’s triumph in Bulgaria on YouTube.
“We’re all in a group chat and we all watched the competition from our homes,” explained Zeenat. “It was amazing to see her do so well.”
Horizon LGA has been helping young people across the region access affordable martial arts training for years – and its members have picked up several awards on the national stage. Ikrah’s success at an international level has taken it to new heights.
This coming weekend, she is set to compete once again in another international competition, this time in Estonia.
Have you got a story? Email joe.yates@newsquest.co.uk and follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @JMYjourno
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here