Lucy Sanders
3rd Degree Black Belt
GTI National Squad Member
Favourite things about taekwondo:
I love patterns and sparring equally. It’s great to see how you can improve and push yourself in different ways. Plus setting new goals is a good way to keep fit and clear my head. And the social side is great – I’ve made friends for life at TKD and always had a fun time meeting people at competitions.
Benefits of taekwondo:
TKD helped me lose a lot of weight and it still keeps me fit. Competing gives me solid challenges to aim for and beat. Classes keep me around excellent people. Anytime I can see an improvement gives me a confidence boost. Plus it’s fun!
Future taekwondo goals:
I plan to compete again, hopefully get a few titles back in the next few years and represent my club more; maybe represent my university too. I always want to keep improving my flexibility, speed, power and stamina. I’m hoping to get my 3rd Dan patterns looking as good as I can.
Career highlights:
I loved competing internationally in Rimini and Budapest – being part of a squad and fighting new opponents as well as meeting loads of fighters from around the world were brilliant experiences. But I think my favourite achievement would be the first time I won gold in a black belt division because it was very hard fought and felt like a real step up in my training.
Awards:
North West Spirit TKD Annual Student Awards:
2016 – Best Senior Female Competitor (1st place)
2015 – Best Senior Female Competitor (1st place)
2014 – Best Senior Female Competitor (1st place)
2013 – Best Senior Female Competitor (1st place)
2012 – Best Senior Female Competitor (2nd place)
2011 – Best Senior Female Competitor (1st place)
2010 – Best Senior Female Competitor (2nd place)
2009 – Best Senior Female Competitor (1st place)
2008 – Best Senior Female Competitor
Knowsley Sports and Physical Activity Awards:
2011 – 2nd place, Adult Active Achiever of the Year
Recent tournament results:
| 2023 GTI English Open | SILVER Sparring |
| 2016 GTI North West Open | BRONZE Patterns GOLD Sparring |
| 2016 PUMA International Open | SILVER Patterns SILVER Sparring |
| 2016 Open European Championships | BRONZE Patterns BRONZE Team Sparring SILVER Team Special Technique |
| 2016 GTI English Open | SILVER Sparring |