Quest Taekwondo head coach Rick Simpson is confident the team he has chosen can all finish in the top three at the British National Championships in Manchester next weekend.

Last year’s competition attracted the top 500 competitors in Great Britain and Quest, who run several centres in the Bradford area, finished eighth overall with five gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Simpson said: “This team has worked ever so hard to get to the right level for this event. Even those who won gold last year have had to work hard because the opposition is improving – and if you don’t improve then you’ll get overtaken.

“I’m not worried about any of these athletes this year. I’m quite confident that every one of them will finish in the top three in their age/weight categories.”

Two-time British champion Natasha Burdock (15, Silsden) retains her place, along with 2012 national champions Karl Harris (12, Cottingley) and Liam Burdock (11, Silsden), silver medallist Rebecca Weir (ten, Baildon) and bronze winner Ellie Bowden (12, Cullingworth).

Also included are last year’s quarter-finalists Jamie Simpson-Kidd (11, Silsden) and Zak Spencer (nine, Baildon).

Participating for the first time will be Normi Jamalludin (veterans, Bradford), Gary Watt (11, Greengates), Skye Donoghue (12, Harrogate) and Thomas Henley (16, Harrogate).