ALASDAIR Walkinshaw's impact on the sport of Taekwon-Do is now set to reach a European-wide audience.

The Northwich and Winsford martial artist, a former British champion, has just been appointed to the International Taekwon-Do Federation headquarters Europe education committee.

Walkinshaw, a fifth degree black belt who is senior instructor at the Blue Dragon Taekwon-Do clubs, is honoured to take up the position.

"My appointment to the ITFHQ-Europe education committee is a very exciting opportunity and highly prestigious," said Walkinshaw.

"I will be working alongside some of the top masters and grand masters in Europe, with a mandate to ensure the correct tuition of Taekwon-Do to not only our students but also the instructors.

"My specific focus is on the technical development of Taekwon-Do training, looking primarily at both body dynamics and bio-mechanics.

"This ties in greatly with my full-time job as an engineer."

Getting to where he is now has taken some doing in a Korean martial art that is characterised by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques.

"I have been training in Taekwon-Do for almost 20 years," he said.

"Now approaching my 48th birthday, I took it up after recovering from major spinal surgery in my late 20s.

"I was promoted to first degree (first dan) black belt in 2005, second degree in 2007, third degree in 2010, fourth degree in 2013 and fifth degree in 2017.

"I have trained under some of the original ITF Taekwon-Do grand masters including GM Choi Jung Hwa, whose father founded Taekwon-Do, GM Hwang Kwang Sung and GM Sheena Sutherland, who was the first ever female black belt and only the second ever woman to achieve ninth degree.

"Our group, Blue Dragon Taekwon-Do, hosted her for a special masterclass a year ago which was attended by clubs from all over England.

"Sadly she died a few weeks ago after a long illness.

"I have also completed several international instructor courses (IIC) entitling me to teach anywhere in the world and conduct grading exams for candidates up to second degree black belt.

"In 2010 I won gold at both the ITF Welsh and British Championships, becoming British Champion in the process and being selected for the UK-ITF national team along with my daughter Lyndsay, who is a fourth degree black belt and runs our Winsford club, who also qualified for the team.

"I have won countless other national and international medals over the years before retiring from competition in 2014 due to injury.

"I started the Blue Dragon TKD group of clubs in 2005 and we currently have classes in Cuddington, Winsford, Weaverham, Birkenhead and an affiliated club at MMU University in Manchester.

"We are a fully approved group, licensed by the International Taekwon-Do Federation Headquarters Korea."