Martial artists from Soho Parish Dragons and Holborn Tigers were awarded medals and certificates after taking part in the third Soho Parish Dragons Taekwondo competition

EPIC battles between determined Dragons and tenacious Tigers provided the perfect preparation ahead of this summer’s London Open Taekwondo Championships.

Young martial artists from Camden, Islington and Westminster who train under the tutelage of Master Rienzi Trento traded kicks and punches at an in-house club event recently in a bid to sharpen their skills ahead of the showpiece, which will take place in Croydon over the second weekend of July.

And joining members from Soho Parish Dragons and Holborn Tigers on the mats was legendary Grand Master Ansar Mahmood, who is an 8th dan in Kukkiwon and a 9th dan in Chungdokwan.

“There was an almost muted response; the kids were in awe and shocked when they found out that they were going to get to perform in front of Grand Master Mahmood,” said Master Rienzi, who is a 6th dan.

Lilli Babak and Ali Khamrayev with Grand Master Ansar Mahmood and Master Rienzi Trento, in black

“I had played down the ability within the squad, but when Grand Master Mahmood saw them perform, he gave them a standing ovation. He added that three of our members, in particular, Lilli Babak, Britney Shashini Gunarathna and Maisie Underwood, all had very bright futures in front of them.”

Explaining how the third Soho Parish Dragons competition helped his taekwondists get “competition fit”, Master Rienzi added: “It’s a really important experience, both for the martial artists and for their parents.

“It teaches and reminds them about being competition fit: getting to a venue on time, eating properly, warming up properly, and being focused.

“Having the opportunity to compete against new faces that they don’t train alongside every week has given them a real confidence boost ahead of the London Open.”

Among the standout performers at Soho Parish School was seasoned campaigner and multi-champion Lilli. The talented 11-year-old black belt, who lives in Soho and is about to leave the school as she heads off to secondary, demonstrated great speed and technique as she got the better of clubmates Maisie and Ali Khamrayev.

Lilli and her younger brother Maximilian, 9, helped start up Soho Parish Dragons and the inter-club competition, and their legacy has now been secured with the introduction of the “Lilli & Maximilian Trophy” for future events.

Reflecting on the news, Lilli said: “As I am in Year 6 now, I will be leaving Soho Parish School soon to move on to secondary, so I had mixed feelings, as these were my last fights.

“I am happy that I won both, and I am happy to see that Soho Parish Dragons is established now – and I was told the school will name a trophy after us, which is crazy, so we left our footsteps in the school.”