Four young members of the same Taekwondo club in Milton Keynes, England, are preparing for one of the biggest moments of their sporting careers: competing at the ITFU European Open Championship 2026 in Italy this September — a milestone that reflects years of dedication, discipline and passion for the martial art.
The four athletes — Amanda Kravcova, Clara, Finley and Amirah — all train together at Newport Pagnell’s Kicks Taekwondo under chief instructor Chris Clarke, a former European champion himself. Between them, the quartet have already accumulated an impressive collection of medals, and now they are ready to take on the biggest stage in Europe.
A Dream in the Making
Amanda Kravcova, just 11 years old, has been passionate about Taekwondo since the age of 4. Although she narrowly missed out on selection for the England team, she will compete representing her family’s homeland of Lithuania — a source of immense pride for her family and relatives back home.
“I think I’d do well because right now I have really good potential.”
— Amanda Kravcova, 11
Her three clubmates — Clara, Finley and Amirah — have earned their places in England’s junior squad, making four athletes from a single club heading to the same international competition — a remarkable achievement for any Taekwondo school.
“I hope that I represent my country as well as I possibly can. I’m going to do my best, train so hard, and I’m just really excited for it.”
— England Junior Squad Athlete
The Coach Behind the Champions
Chief instructor Chris Clarke, a former European Taekwondo champion, has guided these young athletes through years of rigorous training and discipline to reach this level. His experience and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the next generation of ITFU competitors.
“It’s been a lot of hard work over many years. It’s a great opportunity now that I can pass my knowledge on to these guys and help them fulfil their dreams of winning gold for their country.”
— Chris Clarke, Chief Instructor
📹 ITV News coverage — Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, England
Help Them Get There
The families of all four athletes are currently raising funds to cover flights, accommodation and equipment for the trip to Italy. Anyone wishing to support these talented young athletes can contribute through their respective GoFundMe pages.
🥋 ITF Union congratulates all four athletes and their families, and wishes them the very best in their preparation for the ITFU European Open Championship 2026. Their dedication is a true reflection of the values of Taekwondo — discipline, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence. 🇬🇧🇱🇹
