Telford woman wins gold and bronze medals for England in major European martial arts tournament

A Telford woman has returned home from Cyprus with gold and bronze medals from the 51st FEW Wadokai European Championships.

Heidi Jones, 45, who works as a teacher, said she “did not believe it” when she won a bronze in the veteran mixed kata team and a gold in the veteran female kata team representing England in the tournament at the end of September.

Ms Jones was put through an arduous process to be selected for the team, but said the sacrifice was worth it when she stepped onto the podium in Nicosia.

“To be honest, I did not believe it,” said Ms Jones after being asked about how she felt after securing the medals.

“I got up on the podium and I was still a little bit in shock from it all, because a few things did not go my way that day.”

Ms Jones only started Wadokai karate nine years ago, and was inspired to do so because of the talent of her son, Billy Jones, who also competed in martial arts events.

“I am really proud. I have been trying for a gold for a really long time in kata.

“To be honest, I felt more proud of myself that the little ones at school were noticing more than some of the adults around.

“They were coming over and saying ‘we have seen this, we have heard this, is it true?’ And that is really lovely.”

Ms Jones accepts donations to go towards competition costs via her GoFundMe page.