TAEKWONDO world champion Claire Sharples is hoping to pass on her sporting skills to youngsters.

Black belt Claire, 26, has just returned from Croatia where she was crowned World All Style Combat Champion.

It is one of a series of world crowns Claire has scooped since being picked for the Great Britain team two years ago and now the fighter has launched a class in Helmshore.

Claire said: “Taekwondo is a brilliant sport for kids. It really helps build their self-confidence and teaches them respect and discipline.

“It is also a great sport for keeping fit. It can be a tough workout, particularly for the adults I teach. But for the kids it is a fantastic way to keep feet while having fun.”

Claire took up karate at the age of nine, but after experiencing Taekwondo in Australia seven years ago, she has not looked back.

She said: “I joined a Taekwondo class and loved it, so when I returned to the UK I joined the Taekwondo Association of Great Britain and started working my way up from the bottom again.”

In just four years Claire worked up from her white belt to her black belt and was soon picked for the Great Britain team.

Claire said although she travels the world representing her country, she thinks it is important to find the time to pass on her knowledge and experience to youngsters.

Claire’s taekwondo classes run at St Thomas’s Church in Helmshore on Monday and Friday evenings.

Her karate classes also run in Helmshore and at Greenmount Old School in Greenmount on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

For more information call Claire on 07742433701 or visit the website below.