Elisha Shaw: Polmont taekwondo ace is ready 'to start over again'
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The 19-year-old, who trains with Momentum Taekwondo in Glasgow, was previously in the under-49kg category but has made the switch to under-57kg with the hope of being a stronger competitor overall.
And last weekend, in her first outing of the new year, she won gold at the BUCS Winter Championships in Southampton.
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Hide AdShe said: “There were three matches down south and I managed to win gold which was brilliant. It was a great way to prepare for the European trips coming up and doing well and winning in these UK events is how you get into the bigger European events.
“Last year I won the European Student Games at under-49kg level but I now have to start over again because of the category move. The change of weight is something I thought long and hard about but I think it is the right choice for me.
“Although it is a change, this tournament I won was like a test for me and it went really well.
“I am now heading to Slovenia this weekend for their Open event and that will be another big challenge for me.
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Hide Ad"It will take a good year to build up my ranking again because I am starting from the bottom but I am looking forward to starting again.
"I am in my third year at the moment at university and my goal is to reach that top level again and become a full-time athlete within the next couple of years.”
Shaw is also on the hunt for sponsorship from a local business to help fund her trips abroad as she chases a chance at becoming a full-time athlete.
She said: “I am hoping to find a sponsor to help assist with the costs involved. Everything I do currently is self-funded and it would be a big help.”
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