Taekwondo champion returns home with gold

15/ 4/2008

A SEVENTEEN-year-old Lancashire lad is "over the moon" after returning home with five gold medals following taekwondo and karate competitions in the US.

Ferrari Faqiri travelled from his home in Preston to New Jersey to fight his way to the Junior Olympics Taekwondo qualifiers.

Not only did he qualify, but Ferrari picked up three gold medals at the event - more then any other competitor.

Said Ferrari said: "I would have been happy just to have qualified but to win three golds just goes to show all that hard work I do actually pays off and I was over the moon with the victory"

A week later Ferrari travelled to the North American Karate Championship, which was held in Staten Island, New York where Ferrari gained a another gold and silver at the event.

Coach Hashmat said: "Ferrari trained extremely hard for the event and the hard work paid off with his excellent display."

Ferrari is currently training for further up and coming events, but his main focus is on going to the Junior Olympics in Detroit later in the year.

He added: "I would like to thank everyone who has supported me this year especially my family and my coach dad and my taekwondo instructor Eddie Ellison as well as Hammed Sheik of Mikardo Sport’s for providing me with my equipment"

Anyone wishing to sponsor Ferrari can contact Hashmat 01772 828041