Impressed by his daughter’s martial arts efforts, MAN v FAT Gloucester coach Ryan Barkle acquired into motion himself by showing in a nationwide Taekwondo Championships firstly of November.
Having seen his daughter take up the game in September 2021, Ryan determined that it was time to shed extra pounds.
And his efforts on the scales and on the pitch noticed him shift over 5 stone as a MAN v FAT Gloucester participant, earlier than graduating to guide the membership, held at Plock Court docket on a Thursday evening.
Ryan advised us: “Via the assist, pleasant rivalry and surroundings created on the membership, I misplaced 5 stone earlier than changing into the membership’s Coach.
“It has supplied me with a number of alternatives from enjoying at Sixfields for George Elokobi in opposition to Ian Holloway’s group to getting again to operating.
“Nonetheless 2024 has been a bit harder to maintain the burden off as a result of ‘weak hips’ which means soccer and operating had change into painful.
“This led me to attempt one thing new. I joined my daughter Abi at Sumners Taekwondo, as I might see the quantity of flexibility and hips work that goes into it.
“Earlier than MAN v FAT, I’d not have had the arrogance to attend and I’d not have returned after the primary session as a result of feeling too unfit, too judged or too embarrassed (there isn’t a motive to really feel this, I’ve discovered!).
“Nonetheless my MAN v FAT journey has led me to attempt one thing utterly totally different. Who would have thought you’d begin sparring on the age of 42?”
