A YOUNGSTER came home with a gold medal in an international Taekwondo event in Wales.

Six-year-old Lexi Pettigrew, from Cumbria Taekwondo in Kendal, attended the WT Welsh Open and came away with the gold medal in the pee wee female category.

She won her semi-final fight two rounds to nil and went on to stop last year’s British National champion by stoppage after winning the first round by a wide margin.

Seven other athletes from the club made the 600-mile round trip to the event in Cardiff which saw 259 entries.

The South Cumbrian club ended up finishing in 10th place having won three gold medals, four silver and a bronze medal.

The trip was sponsored by South Cumbria Construction Ltd and Derek Stafford roofing.

Lexi’s father, a senior coach at the club, said: “I’m absolutely overjoyed. It was great to see the reward for all of the hard work and commitment Lexi has put in at such a young age.

“She’s following in the footsteps of her big brother and 11-year-old sister, Gabriella, who have been quite prolific over the years. They are both training with the British taekwondo squad.

“Gabriella won a gold medal by default in Cardiff after no-one in her category or weight attended. She’s now stepped up to 27 kilos and has got quite a fierce reputation.

"The sponsors donated a very generous sum to help get some of our players to the event.

“The next thing on the agenda is preparing for the British National event in October."