Hannah sets her sights on a place in the England team

Hannah Whittaker won silver at a World Cup Taekwon-do event in Jamaica PNL-140924-141206002

Competing for a combined England team, 26-year-old Hannah Whittaker took on fighters from Canada, America and Paraguay and made it all the way to the final of the competition, held in Montego Bay.

That set up a showdown with a Paraguayan representative, but Hannah was narrowly edged out into silver medal position.

The final went to extra-time after the two fighters could not be split, but it was the Paraguayan who got the decision in the end.

“I was ecstatic getting through to the final, but was disappointed to come second,” said Hannah. “I would have like to have won gold, which I’m aiming to achieve next year.”

Hannah, who started taekwon-do at the age of nine, is part of DeSilva taekwon-do, which is based in Ealing, and she is now setting her sights on the very top.

“My main aim for the future is to get into the England squad – selections are in November,” she said. “If I get into this I will be eligible to take part in the World Championships next year, which will be held in Italy.

“Then it is the European Championships which will be held in Scotland.”