Impressed by his daughter’s martial arts efforts, MAN v FAT Gloucester coach Ryan Barkle bought 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 drop some weight.
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 night time.
Ryan advised us: “By means of the help, pleasant rivalry and atmosphere created on the membership, I misplaced 5 stone earlier than turning into the membership’s Coach.
“It has offered me with a lot of alternatives from enjoying at Sixfields for George Elokobi towards Ian Holloway’s workforce to getting again to operating.
“Nevertheless 2024 has been a bit harder to maintain the burden off as a result of ‘weak hips’ which means soccer and operating had grow to be painful.
“This led me to strive one thing new. I joined my daughter Abi at Sumners Taekwondo, as I may see the quantity of flexibility and hips work that goes into it.
“Earlier than MAN v FAT, I might not have had the boldness to attend and I might not have returned after the primary session as a result of feeling too unfit, too judged or too embarrassed (there isn’t a cause to really feel this, I’ve discovered!).
“Nevertheless my MAN v FAT journey has led me to strive one thing fully completely different. Who would have thought you’ll begin sparring on the age of 42?”
