TEENAGE Taekwondo star Eden Mulholland is celebrating after winning a bronze medal at the Swedish Open in Stockholm.
It is the biggest achievement to date for the 13-year-old from Stalybridge who is a member of the Manchester-based Great Britain Taekwondo development squad and who has his sights get on competing at the Olympic Games.
Eden, competing in the G2 class, had two bouts in Sweden, beating an opponent from the host nation before losing to an opponent from Greece.
“Eden has lots of medals picked up at club level, but this is the biggest thing he has won,” explained mother Wendy.
Eden, a pupil at West Hill High School, Stalybridge, took up the sport aged six as he was an active child and was looking for a sport to burn off energy.
He trains three times a week, twice at Stockport club Jeon Sa and once at NTC, Nottingham, for whom he competes.
Eden has further European ranking events in Romania and Croatia later this year.
But as he receives no funding it is expensive as Wendy estimates it cost about £10,000 each year for flights, accommodation, petrol and equipment.
If any local business or individual would like to sponsor Eden, his father Rob can be contacted at rmulholland46@yahoo.co.uk