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NewsletterSix times World ITF Champion and Taekwon-do Hall of Fame member Julia Cross has launched a brand new School of Taekwon Do and Fitness in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh.
The new dojang marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Taekwon-do’s most decorated competitor following a tough year in which Miss Cross announced her retirement from competition due to hip surgery.
But now the first ever female British World title holder and once the youngest female Black Belt in the country at the age of 17 is keen to channel that winning energy into creating the champions of the future.
From its humble beginnings, the school she started in 1998 now boasts 120 students and 15 classes a week. The new Julia Cross school of Taekwon Do and Fitness opened after months of planning and rebuilding, with several students from both the junior and senior classes taking part in demonstrations to mark the opening.
Miss Cross' hip surgeon Mr Gray, official patron of the new gym, was tasked with cutting the ribbon.
Miss Cross said: ‘It was a great honour that Mr Gray opened the gym for me. He was overwhelmed that I’d asked him but it just felt right that someone who had helped me start a new chapter of my life should be there to launch it with me. I am thankful to all the people who have helped me along the way but also truly proud of what I’ve achieved and just buzzing about what I am going to do with my school. I already have my eyes on a couple of my students so international competition is not out of my life, it’s just now I can experience this by passing on my knowledge, passion and experience to my students.’
Miss Cross runs 15 classes per week catering for all age ranges, from four to adult. She also takes specialist sparring and senior (black and red belt) training, as well as hosting Yoga and Zumba classes.
If you can’t make it to her new gym, Miss Cross also offers specialist training seminars which she will be touring round the UK and beyond. For more information or to sign up to one of Miss Cross’ classes visit: http://southqueensferrytkd.info.