THREE black belts from a city academy have taken top honours in a national championships for the third time in a year.

Master Clive Harrison's Black Belt Academy, based at Worcester's Nunnery Wood Sports Centre, impressed in the Global Tae Kwon-Do International's British Championships.

Helen Box, Tonia Cox and Sally Gleaves were the successful competitors in the event at Cheltenham.

In the black belt women's pattern division, Box took gold and Cox silver with Gleaves claiming gold in the destruction (breaking) tournament.

The silver ensured Cox, a fifth dan and the academy's co-chief instructor, amassed enough points throughout the year to win the GTI women's black belt competitor of the year.

Harrison said: "The ladies have done really well this year, dominating their divisions, and with the academy now affiliated to the ITF, a tae kwon-do world body, they can test themselves on the world stage.

"And with the ITF European Championships this year being held in Germany they will have the chance to go for squad selection to represent England."

Anyone wishing to start the sport can call Harrison or Cox on 01905-820862 or Nunnery Wood Sports Centre.