Scotland has a new world champion in 20-year-old Taekwon-do expert, Amy McNair.
Amy was part of a four strong contingent from the South Queensferry club to travel to Porec, Croatia, where she took gold in the Special Technique category which includes five different kicks at various heights up to 2.7 metres.
Amy. who has just started a Sports Science degree course at Stirling University, is coached by Julie Cross. MBE, who is a six time world champion herself, 15 times European champion and twice elected to the sports Hall of Fame.
Julie believes that Amy might well go on to emulate her own achievements, saying:
“You always hope that your students surpass you.
“Amy’s latest success came in a tournament where there was a big South American contingent taking part and that always raises the standard. A total or 53 countries overall took part.
“To make any success all the more satisfying our athletes, plus myself as coach, had to be self funding.”
Because the ITF is not affiliated with the Olympic movement and owes its origins to North Korea there is no chance of Amy, who won two team bronzes for Scotland in Croatia, travelling to Los Angeles in 2028.
But there are still plenty of challenges ahead for Amy and her international club mates – Rory Davidson, Emily Davidson and Ewan Hollins, according to the coach whose first international tournament came in … North Korea.
“That was an amazing experience” she recalls, adding: “something I will never forget.”
